WARRIOR STADIUM – Cherokee County scored early and often on the way to a convincing 49-21 region win over the visiting Hokes Bluff Eagles Friday night.

Quarterback Coty Blanchard was 9-for-10 passing with three touchdowns and running back D.J. Fife contributed four touchdowns while rushing for 150 yards on just eight carries as the defending Class 4A runners-up ran their season record to 3-0.

Fife and Desmond Brown got the Warriors off to a fast start on the opening drive. Brown rushed for 19 yards and Fife followed with a seven-yard burst. Operating out of the no-huddle, Blanchard then fired a 33-yard strike to Fife. On the next play, Brown hauled in Blanchard's bullet for the touchdown. Isaac Jones then added the first of his seven extra points.

On the Eagles first play from scrimmage, Colin Perry intercepted a Hokes Bluff pass on the 38-yard line and returned the pigskin to the 33. Three plays later, Fife plunged in from a yard out to give the Warriors a 14-0 lead with 6:36 to go in the first quarter.

Hokes Bluff had no intention of being an easy homecoming victim. On their next drive, the Eagles drove down the field. Robertson passed to Cole Fredrick on a well-disguised screen. Frederick then cut between blockers and into the end zone to close the gap to 14-6. The PAT was no good.

The Warriors only miscue of the night occurred on the ensuing kickoff, when a fumble gave the Eagles the ball at the 20-yard line. Four plays later, Fredrick scored his second TD. The two-point conversion knotted the score at 14-14.

It didn't take head coach Tripp Curry's offense long to get the Warriors back on top. On first down at the 24, Fife broke clear along the right side of the field then cut back against the grain for a 76-yard touchdown. With 46 second left in the first quarter, the Warriors led 21-14.

The versatile Warrior offense extended the lead to 28-14 with 9:13 remaining in the second quarter on Fife's third TD. The five-play drive was sparked by the running and receiving of Desmond Brown and Gabriel Chambers.

After a Hokes Bluff punt, Blanchard delivered a laser to Chambers for a gain of 20 yards. The completion set-up Fife's fourth TD of the night on another pass from Blanchard, raising the lead to 35-14.

Another Blanchard pass, this time to Perry, put the Warriors up 42-14 with 17 second left in the first half.

The Warriors' Caleb Crane, best known for his hard-hitting play on defense, scored from a yard out at the 6:07 mark in the third quarter. Jones' final extra point put the Warriors up 49-14.

Trey Adcock closed out the night with a 51-yard scamper for Hokes Bluff late in the third quarter.

This Friday, the No. 2-ranked Warriors (3-0, 2-0) head to Blount County to face the undefeated, sixth-ranked Oneonta Redskins. It should be a great game so get there early, bring a friend, and be loud.

Congratulations to Lyden Curry, who was crowned Homecoming Queen during a ceremony at halftime. The Class of 1960 was also honored before kickoff.

You can't help but let your mind wonder a little bit about who will step onto the field in another 50 years and reminisce about one of the greatest teams ever to wear the Black and Gold.