Wolfpack Looks to Make It Six Straight Against Warriors

Scouting the Warriros

The Cherokee Warriors will look to win back-to-back games for the first time this season as they host North Paulding in their final home game of the year. Quarterback James Cochran has thrown for 497 yards and three touchdowns in five games this season. Joining Cochran in the backfield are Dez Murphy (289 yards, 2 TDs) and Micah Spear (167 yards).

Josiah Bobb has emerged as the Warriors' leading receiver with 20 catches for 328 yards and two touchdowns. Isaiah Gardner (19 receptions, 226 yards, 1 TD), Aryn Jackson (10 receptions, 173 yards, 2 TDs) and Chris Turner (10 receptions, 166 yards, 4 TDs) add depth to the receiving corps.

Cherokee is averaging 143.5 yards per game through the air and 102.5 yards per game on the ground. Defensively, Trenton Barnett and Caleb Irwin lead the team with 67 total tackles each. Jaxson Hearn remains the team leader with nine tackles for loss, while Irwin and Mason Cox lead the Warriors with three sacks apiece. Cherokee has recorded eight sacks and forced eight turnovers this season.

Scouting the Wolfpack

The North Paulding Wolfpack enter this week riding a five-game winning streak. The Wolfpack are averaging 197.3 yards per game through the air and 119.5 yards per game on the ground. Quarterback Braden Stark has thrown for 1,564 yards and nine touchdowns. Brysen Niehr leads the team with 32 receptions for 555 yards and six touchdowns, while Pressley Carr has added 25 catches for 379 yards.

North Paulding has relied on a running-back-by-committee approach, with Darien Smith (265 yards, 1 TD), Gavin Clark(210 yards, 9 TDs) and Steve Agbor (201 yards) leading the way.

Defensively, Will Rakestraw (54 total tackles, 9 TFLs, 3.5 sacks) and Kemudirim Ozurumba (53 total tackles, 11 TFLs, 7.5 sacks) anchor the Wolfpack defense. North Paulding has been particularly effective getting after opposing quarterbacks, recording 34 sacks this season while forcing seven turnovers. The Wolfpack are averaging 27.5 points per game and allowing just 14.3.

Keys to the Game

Cherokee

• Establish the ground game. Dez Murphy and Micah Spear will need to provide consistent production to take some pressure off quarterback James Cochran.

• Protect the quarterback. North Paulding has recorded 34 sacks this season, and Cherokee cannot afford to allow the Wolfpack to consistently disrupt its passing game.

• Win the turnover battle. The Warriors need to create extra possessions and avoid giving North Paulding short fields.

  
  

North Paulding

• Pressure James Cochran. The Wolfpack's pass rush, led by Kemudirim Ozurumba and Will Rakestraw, should be a major factor in this matchup.

• Control the tempo offensively. North Paulding has enough balance to keep Cherokee's defense guessing and wear down the Warriors over four quarters.

• Get off to a fast start. An early lead would put additional pressure on Cherokee to throw the football and play outside its comfort zone.

Pundit's Pick

Cherokee will need a near-flawless performance to give itself a fighting chance against a North Paulding team that enters the contest riding a five-game winning streak. That's a difficult task, particularly against a Wolfpack defense that has recorded 34 sacks this season.

If the Warriors can establish their ground game, they may be able to keep things competitive into the fourth quarter. However, North Paulding's defensive front presents a significant challenge, and the Wolfpack have the experience and momentum advantage.

We believe North Paulding's defense will be too much for the Warriors to handle.

Prediction: North Paulding by 28.