Cherokee High defeats Phillips Bears 62-20

BEAR CREEK — The Phillips Bears are still looking for their first win of the season after being defeated by Cherokee High School  62-20 Friday night, Sept. 15.
The Bears found themselves down 22-0 early in the game, thanks to TD runs by Nathan Trent, Zontarious Hicks and J.B. Dean. On the ensuing kick after Cherokee’s third touchdown, Chase Burton ran it back to the 5 to make it first-and-goal for the Bears. Hayden Dees took the handoff around right for four yards to the 1, then quarterback Trey Tidwell punched it through for the touchdown.  The two-point try failed, but the Bears were on the board 22-6 with 2:01 left in the first quarter.
Cherokee immediately responded, with Dean running the kick back for a touchdown.  The two-point try failed, and the Indians were up 28-6 to end the first quarter.
The Bears went three-and-out to start the second quarter, and a high snap on the punt try wound up having to be grabbed up and ran instead, ultimately giving Cherokee excellent field position at the Bears’ 35-yard line.  The visitors were in two plays later, with Hicks doing the honors, making the score 36-6 after the two-point conversion worked.
Phillips’ Jacob Padron picked off a Cherokee pass in the second quarter, but the Bears were not able to capitalize on the turnover. Dean scored a third touchdown at the end of the first half to make it 42-6, Cherokee at halftime.
Phillips wide receiver Hayden Jordan scored for the Bears in the third quarter, but Cherokee scored twice, making it 54-12 at the end of the third.  Tidwell lit up the scoreboard for Phillips with 8:52 left in the game.  The two-point try was  good, and the score was 54-20.  Cherokee made it into the end zone one more time late in the game, and the final was 62-20.
The Bears will be on the road this week, taking on the Meek Tigers. Cherokee will be at home playing Shoals Christian.