By: Brandon Dyer

The Model Blue Devils and Cherokee County Warriors opened their season Friday night, with both teams looking for early
season momentum. There were lightning delays, great play by both teams defensive lines, and stifling defense throughout
the game, with Cherokee County securing the season-opening win, 20-0 over the Blue Devils.
Just three plays into the game, a fumble return for 31 yards by Cherokee County defensive lineman Alex Johnson would
set the tone of the game, making the score 7-0.
The Blue Devils were able to get in the red zone after a long run by running back Jermaine Campbell and a face mask
penalty, but Cherokee County held the Blue Devils to 0 points after a pass from quarterback Dylan Silver fell incomplete on
fourth down.
Both teams struggled to move the ball until a lightning delay late in the first quarter put a stop to the game.
Cherokee County would continue their drive after the delay, getting to midfield, but after back to back penalties, they fail to
convert on 3rd and 30 and punt the ball back over to Model, where Blue Devils defender Daniel Jolly would block the punt
attempt to give the Blue Devils good field position for the first time of the game at the Cherokee County 36 yard line.
The Blue Devils couldn’t capitalize on the opportunity as they punted the ball away to Cherokee County midway through the
second quarter.
A long drive by Cherokee County on the ensuing possession that started in their own ten yard line and included two fumbles
that they were able to recover, resulted in a 20 yard touchdown run with 40 seconds remaining before halftime.
Time would run out on the Blue Devils as they headed to the locker room down 14-0 at halftime
Cherokee County would begin the second half with a big return to midfield to give them momentum to start the second half,
but the Model defense remained stiff and forced the Cherokee County to a three and out.
Riley Chapman muffed the punt, so the Blue Devils started inside their own 20 yard line.
Jermaine Campbell and Jake Sanders were able to share carries and get the chains moving for the Blue Devils, but a tackle
in the backfield coupled with a sack by the Warriors forced the Blue Devils to punt the ball away. Cherokee County would
begin their drive at midfield again with excellent field position.
The Warriors were able to capitalize on the good field position, as a 64 yard strike to a wide open Jacob Cornejo would put
the Warriors up 20-0.
Return man Daniel Jolly would give the Blue Devils good field position to start the ensuing drive, but a sack by Tae
Diamond on second down would doom the drive, with the Blue Devils giving the ball back after a fourth down throw by Blue
Devil quarterback Dylan Silver would fall to the ground, and with 10 minutes remaining in the game, Cherokee County took
over at their own 25 yard line
The Warriors again traveled to midfield, only to punt the ball away to the Blue Devils with five minutes
remaining in the game.
After just three plays in which the Blue Devils lost 10 yards, they would punt the ball away, effectively
ending the game with 1:23 left on the clock. Two plays later, the Warriors would take a knee and end
the game, securing a 20-0 victory.