FLOWERY BRANCH — Cherokee Bluff has made history again.
The Bears 41-18 Region 7-3A win against East Hall (1-7, 0-4) Friday night at The Bluff was their second straight win -- another first for the young program.
"Really proud of our kids," Bluff coach Tommy Jones said. "Getting this thing rolling has taken a little bit longer than anybody hoped, but we're making some progress now. The kids have continued to work and improve."
The Bears (3-5, 2-2 Region 7-3A) rushing attack kept the explosive offense of East Hall off the field most the night, gaining 350 yards on the ground.
Sophomore running back Jayquan Smith was as elusive against East Hall as he was last week, rushing 17 times for 192 yards and two touchdowns.
"The guys executed really well," Jones said. "Once again our offensive line played well, I thought. Our running backs did a fantastic job. When we're able to do that, it sets up some other stuff we can do offensively. East Hall is ultra explosive, so when we can hold on the football and run the clock, it makes a big difference."
The Bears scored first off a Smith 7-yard run to go ahead. East Hall answered on the ensuing drive when Mon Tabor went 43 yards for the score but a missed extra point left the Bears ahead, 7-6 with 6:16 left in the quarter.
Tabor had 7 carries for 78 yards and a score.
The Bears scored 20 unanswered points -- a 57-yard Smith run, a Tino Mukuno 19-yard fumble return and a Mason Tomas 2-yard run -- to go ahead 27-6 by halftime.
The fumble return was one of two defensive scores for the Bears. Sam Stribling picked off East Hall's Clete Cooper for a 28-yard score with 7:55 to go in the third quarter.
Harrison Carter added the Bears' final scored with 2:17 left in the third. Carter had 72 yards on 11 carries and a touchdown.
East Hall scored its final touchdown, a Cooper 83 yard bomb to DJ Gray as time expired. Cooper was 13-of-19 for 186 yards a touchdown.
"They guys are excited," Jones said. "They've been through a lot here. My heart is indebted to the kids who are willing to risk something and play football at Cherokee Bluff. One of the things I love about coaching football is the post-game celebrations. That makes it worth the while and makes practice a lot easier the next week."
The win leaves Cherokee Bluff in a playoff hunt with games against GAC and Dawson County left on the schedule.
"When you play well, it puts you in a position to play some important games late in the season," Jones said. "That's the goal right now."
