Warriors Collide: North Cobb Looks to Keep Cherokee in Check

Scouting North Cobb

The North Cobb Warriors have won three straight games and are looking to stay atop the region standings this week. The Warriors are averaging 177 yards per game through the air and 181.8 yards per game on the ground.

Quarterback Ben Halevi has thrown for 701 yards and eight touchdowns. His top receivers have been Micah Billingsley(15 receptions, 185 yards, four touchdowns) and Iago Guimaraes (nine receptions, 169 yards, one touchdown).

Zach Belyeu leads the Warriors on the ground with 452 yards and nine touchdowns while averaging 6.5 yards per carry. North Cobb is averaging 37 points per game while allowing 18 points per game. Defensively, Jayden Harris leads the team with 20 total tackles, while Keegan Vayens leads the team with five sacks. The Warriors have recorded 15 sacks as a team this season.

Cherokee

The Cherokee Warriors will look to pick up their first region win of the season. Last week, the Warriors started fast but could not keep pace as the game progressed. Cherokee has turned to freshman quarterback James Cochran, who has thrown for 120 yards and a touchdown. This will be Cochran's second start of the season.

Joining Cochran in the backfield are Micah Spear and Dez Murphy, who have combined for 311 yards and two touchdowns. Josiah Bobb (13 receptions, 214 yards, one touchdown) and Isaiah Gardner (13 receptions, 155 yards, one touchdown) have led the Cherokee receiving corps this season.

Trenton Barnett leads the defense with 44 total tackles, while Jaxson Hearn leads the team with seven tackles for loss. Caleb Irwin and Mason Cox lead the team with two sacks each.

The Warriors are averaging 17.6 points per game while allowing 34.6 points per game.

Keys to the Game

North Cobb

• Establish the run and keep Cherokee's defense off balance.

• Continue to pressure the quarterback.

• Avoid giving Cherokee short fields through turnovers.

Cherokee

• Protect the football and limit mistakes.

• Find a way to run the ball effectively.

• Create turnovers and give the offense extra possessions.

• Keep North Cobb from forcing the offense into a one-dimensional attack.

Pundit's Pick

The Cherokee Warriors are led by a talented but youthful group, and they will need to play relatively mistake-free football against an experienced and talented North Cobb team. Cherokee will need to create turnovers and run the ball effectively to keep North Cobb's defense on its heels. If North Cobb can take away the run and force Cherokee to become one-dimensional, it could be a long night for the Warriors. We believe North Cobb has the edge in every facet of the game this week. North Cobb by five touchdowns.