CHEROKEE, Ala. – Addison traveled to the quaint town of Cherokee in Northwest Alabama Friday night to take on the Indians in a region game at a surprisingly dry William Lyle Harris Stadium. If Addison was expecting to play the Cherokee teams of old, they were in for a surprise. This Indian team was much better than in past years, though Addison wore them down as the night went on as the Indians had only 19 players on the field. Addison went on to win 39-6 but the Bulldogs led just 16-0 at the half.
Addison won the toss and deferred so the Indians on their opening drive, got a first down and were facing a third and medium when Brye Dollar came away with a big sack killing the drive. The Bulldogs took over at their own 41-yard line. Addison’s much maligned offensive line came to play tonight as they opened huge holes in the Indian defense. The first four running plays resulted in gains of 7, 8, 28 and 28 yards. Seth Hammack capped the drive off by running it in from 4 yards out for the Bulldogs first touchdown. Zayne Smith ran in the two-point conversion and at the 4:25 mark of the first quarter, Addison led 8-0.
After forcing an Indian punt, Addison took over at their own 31-yard line. Addison then methodically drove down to the Indian 1-yard line using 14 plays. A high snap at the one turned the ball over to the Indians, stopping the Dawgs in the red zone.
Cherokee managed a quick first down and then had to punt back to the Dawgs who took over at the Cherokee 48-yard line. Kaden Dyson then took two running plays to go the 48 yards for the second Bulldog touchdown of the night. Dyson then hit Scout Flynn for the two-point conversion and that is how the first half ended with the Bulldogs leading the Indians only 16-0.
Addison received the second half kickoff and started the drive off at their own 40-yard line. On Addison’s first play of the second half, Dyson rambled 26 yards down to the Indian 34. Six plays later, Dyson went in for his second touchdown of the night from 10 yards out. Smith ran in the two-point conversion and with 8:22 to go in the third quarter, Addison stretched its lead to 24-0.
This is the point in the game where the Cherokee of old would usually just fold but not these new look Indians. They used 11 plays to go 70 yards to answer the Bulldog touchdown with one of their own. Mykel Goodloe ran it in from 7 yards out to get the Indians on the scoreboard. The two-point conversion failed but the Indians showed that they had come to play trailing only 24-6.
Addison responded like a winner does and for all intents and purposes put the game away. Starting their drive at their own 35, Elijah Roberts came in to play QB and own their first play Roberts ran for 23 yards around right end. Six plays later Roberts took it in from 5 yards for the touchdown. Roberts then hit Dathan Cleghorn for the two-point conversion. With 11:53 to go in the fourth quarter, Addison led 32-6.
After an exchange of possessions, Cherokee was driving when Roberts stepped in front of an Indian pass and returned the interception 47 yards down to the Indian 23-yard line. Three plays later, Judah Wilkins took the handoff and went 15 yards for the score. The Wyatt Anderson extra point was good, and Addison led 39-6 with 3:18 to go.
This is how the game would end with Addison defeating an overmatched Cherokee team 39-6. Addison goes to 3-1 (2-0 region) and will host Hackleburg next week for a game with big region championship implications.
Unofficial stats
Addison ran 37 rushing plays for 309 total yards. Addison ran 12 passing plays for 75 total yards. Addison ran 49 total plays for 384 total yards. Cherokee ran 27 rushing plays for 48 total yards. Cherokee ran 19 passing plays for 175 total yards. Cherokee ran 46 total plays for 223 total yards.
Addison had Dyson going 5 completions in 7 attempts for 40 yards. Roberts went 4 completions in 5 attempts for 35 yards.
Addison was led in rushing by Dyson who had 10 carries for 123 yards and 2 touchdowns. Smith had 7 carries for 64 yards. Hammack had 8 carries for 63 yards and a touchdown. Roberts had 6 carries for 38 yards and a touchdown. Wilkins had 1 carry for 15 yards and a touchdown.
Addison was led in receiving by Wilkins for 4 catches for 28 yards. Owen Pratt had 2 catches for 30 yards. Jaxson Williams had 2 for 19 yards.
On defense, Addison was led by Dyson and Anderson with 5 tackles each. Hammack and Casen Hill had 4 each. Williams had 3 tackles and a sack. Roberts had 3 tackles and an interception. Flynn had 3 tackles. Brodie Willingham and Bradley Willette had 2 each. Brye Dollar had a sack.
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