Rising from the Trenches: 2025 Cherokee Warriors Football Preview

The 2024 season marked a transition for the Cherokee Warriors football program with the arrival of a new coaching staff, led by head coach Adam Holley. In 2025, continuity will be a key theme, as most of the staff remains intact. One notable addition is Stewart Cook, who joins the offensive staff after serving as co-offensive coordinator and tight ends coach at Kennesaw State.

While the coaches bring stability, the roster shows lots of change. The Warriors graduated nine starters on offense and seven on defense, setting the stage for a season full of new faces and fresh challenges. The biggest question is: Who steps up when a big play is needed?

Warriors Face Challenging Start with Tough Opponents

The Warriors face one of the toughest slates in Cherokee County. Their first four games include three matchups against playoff teams from last season in River Ridge, Sequoyah, and Lambert.

The Region 5-6A portion of the schedule also poses plenty of challenging matchups. Etowah, North Paulding, and Wheeler enter the season as relative unknowns, while Walton, North Cobb, and Marietta are projected top-10 teams in GHSA Class 6A. Navigating this gauntlet will test Cherokee’s depth and resilience.

Offensive Preview

Last year’s offense was built around quarterback Tanner Savasir and a deep receiver/tight end corps. This fall, the offense turns a new page.

Sophomore dual-threat quarterback Sawyer Ray is expected to lead the unit. He flashed promise during spring scrimmages and offseason workouts. Joining him is Zack Parker, a dynamic transfer from Rome with multiple FBS offers, despite being just a freshman.

The offensive line will be the team’s biggest strength. Anchoring the unit are Nation Farmer (6'6", 280 pounds) and Dorian Stewart (6'5", 300 pounds), providing a powerful foundation up front. Farmer is a new addition to the program this season and already holds offers from both Georgia and Georgia Tech, giving the Warriors a high-upside anchor on the left side.

One major area of improvement should be the run game. Last season, Savasir led the team in rushing; a stat the Warriors will need to change to help their young signal caller. The return of Brandon Hamilton and Jalion Trowers should bring more balance and explosiveness to the backfield.

Defensive Preview

The defense returns more experience than the offense, but still features considerable turnover. Defensive coordinator Grant Myers returns for his second season, bringing continuity and a deeper understanding of his system to the unit. The line will undergo a full rebuild, with Hayden Burch, Noah Denney, and Kolton Martin expected to play key roles.

At linebacker, veteran Kayson Simmons return to anchor the run defense and help generate pressure in the pass rush. In the secondary, Elijah Foote and Brooks Adams provide a blend of experience and leadership in the back end.

Generating negative plays will be a focal point after Cherokee averaged just one sack per game last season.

Season Projection

Projecting this team is difficult due to the volume of personnel changes. However, the Warriors should show clear growth in the run game, powered by their revamped offensive line and a more defined backfield rotation.

Ray’s development at quarterback will be pivotal, and a stronger run game will help ease his transition into the starting role. Defensively, the team is expected to take a step forward, especially in creating pressure and limiting big plays.

The Warriors allowed an average of 32.6 points per game in 2024. Reducing that number will be critical to alleviating pressure on the offense and competing with the region’s elite.

With improved trench play and breakout potential on both sides of the ball, the Cherokee Warriors are a team to watch in 2025.