FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. – Cherokee Bluff outscored Monroe Area by 24 points in the second half on their way to a 52-24 win over the Hurricanes Friday night.
The Bears scored first as KT Thompson took the top off the defense with a 48-yard catch from Brooks Brien to take an early 7-0 lead. After Monroe Area scored just seconds later, the Bears had a methodical drive end with Brien plunging in from a yard out to retake the lead, 14-7.
Cherokee Bluff found other ways to get Thompson the ball as he rushed for a touchdown early in the second quarter from 42 yards out to take a 21-10 lead. The Hurricanes got a scoop-and-score late in the half to cut the lead back down to four, but the Bears scored only 10 points in the third quarter and 21 more in the fourth quarter, including two touchdowns within 45 seconds of one another at the end of the game.
Thompson finished with 146 yards of total offense and a pair of touchdowns, while Brien was 11-of-21 for 218 yards and three touchdowns through the air to go with his rushing touchdown.
Cherokee Bluff will take on Oconee County on Thursday in a crucial Region 8-3A matchup.
