FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Desperately needing a win to stay in the playoff race in Region 8-4A, the Cherokee Bluff defense took matters into its own hands.
The Bears held East Forsyth to its lowest point total of the season, using a swarming front-7, a pair of interceptions, and a huge fumble recovery to fuel a hard-hitting, 10-3 win on Friday at Yonah Field.
Having already dropped games to Madison County and North Hall in 8-4A play, it was almost a must-win for the Bears (3-4, 3-2 Region 8-4A) to have any shot at the playoffs.
A smiling Cherokee Bluff coach Tommy Jones, however, stated there is still work to be done.
“We needed this one. Just so proud of the guys for continuing to fight. But this just gets us to Monday,” he said. “We have to come back on Monday and start working hard for the next one.”
East Forsyth running back Tripp Morris came in averaging 146 yards/game on the ground. He was held to just 61 yards on 24 carries, no touchdowns, and fumbled once. The Broncos (5-1, 3-1 Region 8-4A) came in averaging 38.2 points/game but failed to score a touchdown for the first in nine games going back to last season.
The defensive performance was even more impressive considering Bluff was missing several key starters on that side.
“The defense played outstanding all night,” Jones said. “They put in a great effort against a really good football team. Proud of them and how they just come ready to work every day.”
Bluff quarterback Asher Wilson may not have had the best yardage game of his career, but he was clutch at the crucial moments. Overall he was 10-of-19 for 97 yards, but he was 6-of-10 for 51 yards and converted on 5-of-8 throws on third and fourth down.
“Asher played really well. He made some clutch plays in situations when we needed them most,” Jones said. “Our whole team played well. We played inside-out football and our guys blocked well and found a way.”
For Wilson, it could be the kind of performance that jump-starts a much-needed, and consistent, passing attack.
“I think this could be huge for us (in the passing game),” Wilson said. “The line held up for me to find some guys and the guys (receivers) were reeling the ball in. We had the plays down. We were reading the defense. I feel like it’s going to be good the rest of the way.”
Landon Kemp had 3 catches for 43 yards, two on third down; Braylon Jackson had 3 catches for 32 yards, one on third down; and Malcolm Millsap had 3 catches for 22 yards, two on third down as well, for the Bears.
Bluff's Connor Hulsey, who came in leading 8-4A in rushing, finished with 137 yards on 27 carries, including the game’s only touchdown, a 10-yard run early in the fourth quarter.
It was billed as a battle between rushing attacks and stout defenses. It definitely lived up to those expectations.
The Broncos had a quick 3-and-out to open the game while the East Forsyth defense forced a Cherokee Bluff fumble on its opening drive.
But the Bears defense did not budge, forcing another Broncos punt after a 6-play drive that managed just 11 yards.
The Bluff offense got the first explosive play as Hulsey ripped off a 68-yard run down to the Broncos 6. But the drive stalled, setting up a 23-yard field goal from Michael Arbour for an early 3-0 lead for Bluff.
East Forsyth moved into Bluff territory on the ensuing drive, getting to the Bears 35. But a huge grounding call forced a 2nd-and-25 and the Broncos had to punt again after two incomplete passes.
The Bears appeared to be pinned deep starting what turned out to be the final real drive of the half at their own 5. But they completed three straight third downs, two on Wilson passes, and got to the Broncos 25. They could not convert on a 4th-and-10 but used 10:01 of the second quarter to basically run out the clock to maintain the slim 3-0 lead at the half.
The defenses dominated the third quarter as neither offense could get much traction. The Bears got the next big break early in the fourth quarter when Morris fumbled and the Bears recovered at the East Forsyth 14.
After alternating 5-yard penalties, Hulsey raced around left end for the 10-yard score to increase their lead to 10-0 with 10:23 left.
The Broncos responded with their best drive of the night, a 16-play affair that chewed up 5:50 of the clock and ended with a 20-yard Daniel Nerey field goal with 4:33 left to cut the lead to 10-3.
East Forsyth quarterback Brock Szakacs was 6-of-9 for 74 yards on the drive to get them to Bears 3 before the drive stalled. Andrew Frank had 3 catches for 57 yards on the drive.
The Broncos would get the ball back one more time but Szakacs was picked off by Ty Corbin with 1:49 left and Bears were able to run out the clock to preserve the win.
