GAINESVILLE — Cherokee Bluff is 2-0 for the first time in program history.
The Bears piled up 413 total yards of offense en route to 49-14 win over Chestatee (0-1) in the War Eagles’ season opener.
“Tonight was a big county win for us. I’m proud of our guys,” Bears’ coach Tommy Jones said. “They came out and played energized and executed well in the first half. We’re trying to build brick by brick, one day at a time. We’ll come back on Monday and practice and do the same thing.”
The Bears’ offense picked up right where they left off last week, scoring on each of their five possessions in the first half, putting them up 35-0 at the midway point. The defense did its part as well, posting a first-half shutout that included a blocked punt returned for a touchdown.
The linemen set the tone for the Bears on both sides of the ball. The Bluff ran and passed the ball efficiently, posting 413 total yards with 223 of those coming on the ground and 190 through the air. The starting defense allowed less than 100 yards of offense while they were on the field, and constantly in the War Eagles’ backfield.
“Those guys prepare well and work really hard,” Jones said. “There are high expectations for those guys up front on both sides of the ball. It’s been fun to watch those guys develop because they were freshmen and sophomores two years ago when the program started. Now they are starting to have some success and that’s fun to watch.”
A well-balanced Bears’ offense scored three times on the ground and once through the air in the first half to go along with the blocked punt. Jayqaun Smith led The Bluff on the ground with two rushing touchdowns in the first half and one in the second. Smith had 113 yards on 13 carries to go along with the three scores.
“He [Jayquan Smith] is just such a great kid,” Jones said. “He runs hard and has really high expectations for himself. He’s such an unselfish kid and a selfless leader. There are not enough good adjectives to describe him.”
Charles Tolbert helped the ground game out for the Bears as well. Serving as a change-of-pace back, Tolbert ran for 36 yards on five carries and a score.
Sebastian Irons looked poised in his second career start, going 7-for-9 with 142 yards and a lone touchdown strike to Kansas commit Shad Dabney from ten yards out in the first half. Dabney finished the game 45 all-purpose yards on offense and a touchdown to go along with several tackles on defense for the Bluff.
Jaylon Justice led the Bears’ receiving core with three catches for 56 yards.
Chestatee quarterback Christian Charles went 3-for-8 for 22 yards and ran 12 times for 70 yards. However, Chestatee was able to get on the board in the third and fourth quarters when backup quarterback Luke Bornhorst replaced Charles. Bornhorst went 3-for-5 for 40 yards, including a 34-yard strike to Hayden Gowan for a score, and ran for a 55-yard touchdown.
Freshman running back Jason Granados led the War Eagles in rushing with 81 yards on seven carries.
The Bluff (2-0) will have a bye next week while the War Eagles (0-1) will travel to Union County.
SCORING SUMMARY
| Chestatee | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 14 |
| Cherokee Bluff | 21 | 14 | 7 | 0 | 49 |
First Quarter
CBHS- 8-yard run by Smith (Gill kick) 7-0, 9:07
CBHS -- 10-yard pass from Irons to Dabney (Gill kick) 14-0, 2:18
CBHS -- Gohman returns a blocked punt 5 yards (Gill kick) 21-0, 0:00
Second Quarter
CBHS -- 2-yard run from Smith (Gill kick) 28-0, 5:23
CBHS -- 3-yard run by Tolbert (Gill kick) 35-0, 0:45
Third Quarter
CBHS -- 44-yard run by Smith (Gill kick) 42-0, 9:24
CHS -- 55-yard run by Bornhorst (Guardiola kick) 42-7, 5:00
Fourth Quarter
CHS -- 34-yard pass from Bornhorst to Gowan (Guardiola kick) 42-7, 9:25
CBHS -- 44-yard pass from Wilson to Ty Corbin (Gill kick) 49-14, 1:08
http://accesswdun.com/article/2020/9/937485/bluff-off-to-programs-first-ever-2-0-start-rolls-past-chs-49-14