WOODSTOCK – A pair of defensive touchdowns made the difference as the Blue team beat the Red team 22-20 in the fourth edition of the Cherokee County Senior Bowl Thursday at River Ridge.

 

The Blue team, featuring players from Etowah, Sequoyah and Creekview struggled offensively for stretches, but Etowah’s Jake Weitkamp and Sequoyah’s Cameron Stewart returned fumbles for touchdowns to lead the Blue team to the win.

 

“It’s fun to get together with these guys,” Blue team coach Dave Svehla said. “With the kids from Sequoyah and Creekview, I got to see some kids I haven’t seen this season, and I got to coach with some guys I never get to coach with. I really like to see these kids who maybe don’t play that much during the season come out here, play hard and have a competitive game.”

 

The Red team, made up of players from Cherokee, River Ridge and Woodstock got an early advantage when Dima Lynes recovered his own onside kick to open the game.

 

Three plays and 52 seconds later, Garrett Bass connected on a six-yard touchdown pass to Myles Hogue to put the Red team up 7-0.

 

Creekview quarterback Chandler Gantt scored from four yards out later in the quarter to tie the game, but Bass found Woodstock teammate Victor Glover from seven yards out in the second quarter to put the Red team back ahead.

 

It looked like the lead might grow with the Red team driving down to the Blue team’s 20-yard line late in the first half, but a reverse was mishandled, and Weitkamp scooped the ball up and ran 60 yards for a score on the half’s final play from scrimmage.

 

“I was just doing my job and playing hard,” said Weitkamp, who was named the Defensive Player of the Game. “If it’s in the backfield like that, I’m going to take it and score.”

 

After the schools’ senior cheerleaders, ROCT members and band members were recognized at halftime, the Red team came out looking to take advantage of having the first possession of both halves, but two plays into the drive, the ball was on the ground again.

 

Bass threw a pass that was caught over the middle and fumbled right in front of Stewart, who picked up the fumble and scored from 33 yards out.

 

“I saw him coming,” said Stewart, who was named the game’s MVP. “I was ready to hit him, but he fumbled it. I just picked it up and started running. It’s my last high school game, so I wanted to go out with a bang.”

 

Trailing 19-14, Cherokee’s Jared Reed got the Red team back in front.

 

On a third-and-three from his own 43-yard line Reed took a handoff to the right side and sprinted through the defense untouched for a 57-yard touchdown and a 20-19 lead with 9:03 to play.

 

“They were getting ready to get the punt team out,” said Reed, who was named the Offensive Player of the Game. “I knew I could get it, though. They gave it to me, and it just opened up.”

 

The Blue team held the ball on an 11-play, 69-yard drive the was capped by a 22-yard Edward Pena field goal, and it’s defense came up with three straight stops on the ensuing possession to seal the game.

 

“It was just a lot of fun,” Svehla said. “I’m glad the kids got one more chance to get out here with some friends and some rivals and play well. It’s a good way to end the season.”