New Home, New Season: Cherokee Opens Against Lassiter

Scouting the Warriors

The Cherokee Warriors will open their 71st season in new surroundings, as the school has opened its new facilities just three miles northeast of its former campus. Cherokee enters the season with plenty of production to replace, particularly at wide receiver and running back, but the Warriors do return one of the more important pieces of their offense in sophomore quarterback Zack Parker.

Parker threw for 1,259 yards and 10 touchdowns as a freshman while splitting time at quarterback. This season, Coach Holley has handed him the reins of the offense. Parker possesses a live arm and has shown good accuracy both from the pocket and when flushed under pressure. His receivers, however, have limited varsity experience and will need to grow up quickly. Look for Chris Turner, Graham Langan, Zadyn Barron, Adyn Jackson, and tight end Luke Nolan to provide depth and playmaking ability in the passing game.

Meanwhile, Tory Hearn appears to be the heir apparent at running back to begin the season. Defensively, the Warriors return their top tackler in linebacker Trent Barnett. He will be joined by Zion Bobb, who appears poised for a breakout season on the Cherokee defense.

Scouting the Trojans

The Lassiter Trojans are a program on the rise. Coming off a 5-5 season, the Trojans continue to build depth and have accumulated a bevy of young talent, particularly at wide receiver. Lassiter will, however, be breaking in a new quarterback this season.

The good news for the Trojans is that they return all of their leading receivers, including Collins Price, who caught 55 passes for 858 yards and nine touchdowns a year ago. They also return promising sophomore running back Drew McGee, who rushed for 444 yards and nine touchdowns. Defensively, however, Lassiter suffered significant losses to graduation, with much of its tackling and sack production departing from last year's squad.

Keys to the Game

Cherokee

• Establish enough of a running game to keep Lassiter's secondary honest.

• Give Zack Parker time to throw. If he is protected, he has shown he can carve up a secondary.

• Get the inexperienced receivers comfortable early and avoid putting too much pressure on them.

• Use Trent Barnett and Zion Bobb to help make Lassiter one-dimensional.

Lassiter

• Stay out of second-and-long and third-and-long situations, especially with a new quarterback making his debut on the road.

• Establish Drew McGee and the ground game to take pressure off the quarterback.

• Lean on the experience and production of Collins Price and the returning receivers.

• Find a way to pressure Parker and prevent Cherokee from controlling the game through the air.

Pundit's Pick

The team that can make the other offense one-dimensional will likely win this football game. Cherokee's ability to mix in the run and create opportunities for Parker could be the difference. Likewise, Lassiter's success on the ground will be critical to keeping its young quarterback in manageable situations.

Prediction

We believe the Warriors have the edge with Zack Parker under center and the advantage of opening the season in what should be a hostile home environment.

Cherokee by 4