AJ Swann and his Cherokee teammates will take aim at dethroning Milton as the Region 5AAAAAAA champion this season.
70 KICKOFF 2021
REGION 5AAAAAAA
Special - Greg Spell
Cherokee continues push toward region’s peak
By Adam Carrington
MDJ Sports Correspondent
Dethroning Milton could be tough this
season, but Cherokee is going to give it
its best shot.
The Eagles won Region 5AAAAAAA with
a perfect record and advanced to the Class
AAAAAAA state quarterfinals last year as
a young team.
That means they means they are bringing
almost everyone back.
Even though the odds may be stacked against
them, the Warriors feel they can contend.
The Warriors finished tied for second
with Roswell in the region standings but
had to settle for third after losing to the
Hornets head-to-head.
“Hopefully, we can wiggle our way into
the mix,” Cherokee coach Josh Shaw said.
“Milton is the top dog. They were tremendously
young with most of their roster returning.
(Roswell) has good young players
as well. We had a nick-and-tick game with
them. Hopefully, (this year), we’ll be the
one to compete with to host a playoff game.”
The Warriors have enough tools coming
back to be a 5AAAAAAA threat.
Quarterback A.J. Swann is back for his
senior season. Wide receiver Addarius
Harshaw also returns along with offensive
linemen Ryan Chandley and Ben Rice. On
defense, lineman Toby Thompson, linebacker
Tyler Goddard and safety Chase
Goddard lead the way.
The key for Cherokee will be finishing
games, even though the Warriors won close
ones against non-region opponents Rome,
Cartersville and Creekview, holding leads
had been an issue in the past.
“We’ve been so close the last couple of
years, dropping region games by single digits
and having leads late in games,” Shaw said.
“Those are the games that will have impact
in the seeding. The big emphasis for us is to
close out games and being able to finish.”
This region is also known for its intense
rivalries.
The north Fulton rivalry between Roswell
and Milton has spanned for decades,
and that game could very well decide the
region title.
The other is the Towne Lake rivalry
between Woodstock and Etowah – two
teams who are in the midst of a rebuild.
Both teams finished at the bottom of the
region a year ago.
Etowah coach Matt Kemper begins his
second year of turning Etowah around.
Although the Eagles didn’t post a win
until its season finale at home against Alpharetta,
they were competitive in losses
to Roswell, Creekview, North Cobb, Woodstock
and Forsyth Central.
Troy Hoff will take over at Woodstock
for Brent Budde, who guided the Wolverines
for 12 seasons. Hoff took Eastside
High School to the state quarterfinals in
his final season.
Alpharetta should be much improved. After
going 3-6 in the first year under coach
Jason Kervin, an experienced group of returners
should be able to take the next step
toward the playoffs.
Prediction
1. Milton
2. Cherokee
3. Roswell
4. Alpharetta
5. Woodstock
6. Etowah