Centre, AL – Cornejo is the first player to make Cherokee County history as Warriors defeat Haleyville and progress to the quarterfinals. Oxford, Handley suffer second-round losses.
Football playoffs
FRIDAY, Nov. 17
CLASS 6A
A.H. Parker 21 Oxford 14 FINAL
CLASS 4A
Cherokee County 49, Haleyville 14, FINAL
Jacksonville 28, Bibb County 21, FINAL
Booker T. Washington 22, Handley 9, FINAL
CLASS 3A
St. James 41. Randolph County 6, FINAL
Lauderdale County 35, Piedmont 30, FINAL
1A CLASS
Wadley 81, South Lamar 27, FINAL
Pairings for the quarterfinals
CLASS 4A
Cherokee County at West Morgan
Catholic-Montgomery University at Jacksonville
1A CLASS
Wadley on the way to Pickens County
By Shannon Fagan
WEIS Sports Director
Center – Cherokee County High School senior running back Jacob Cornejo thought it was an ordinary drive in the 2nd quarter. He didn’t realize it was the moment when Jacob Cornejo created Warrior record-breaking rushing history, surpassing the record of 5,000 yards established by Michael Johnson.
Cornejo was just scoring his third touchdown in the game at 7:42 left in the second period of round two of Class 4A state football playoffs against Haleyville. He was heading toward the Warrior sideline when he welcomed by the head coach Jacob Kelley.
“I thought ‘Yeah We just scored And coach Kelley was like ‘Look!'” Cornejo said. “I turned around and saw it on the monitor (of the board). It’s an incredible honour. I’m happy to be able to share this with my colleagues. I’m very happy to be a part of this group.”
Cornejo completed the game with three touchdowns and 148 yards on 18 plays. He ended the game with the 176-yard mark on 22 carries and scored four points in the Warriors defeat of 49-14 by the Lions.
The record-breaking run by Cornejo came on an unorthodox 21-yard sprint at the one-yard mark. He scored at 7:42 in the first quarter.
What’s more impressive about Cornejo’s journey to Warrior history is that he broke the 5,000-yard mark in only two seasons in Cherokee County. He racked up 2,580 yards and scored 33 touchdowns for the Warriors in the last season. He has 2,455 yards this season.
for a total of 5,035.
“It was not a question of when, but if,” Kelley said. “We felt we had a good belief that the fact that he would be able to do it. He ran very fast.
“Jacob Is Jacob. I hope that everyone who is watching him understands what a special player Jacob is. Being here in his second year, breaking the school record for rushing in at the length of time that he’s been here it’s an indication of the kind of player he is as well as the kind of team he’s got with him.
him. He’ll say that the people who surround them are the way he’s been able to be who he is. He’s a little self-promotional but he’s an incredible football player.”
Cornejo scored with two runs totalling 11 and 5 yards, giving his team the Warriors (11-1) the advantage of 14-0 at the conclusion 1st quarter. The record-breaking rush that he completed 39 yards in just four plays which led to his 1-yard score which provided the Warriors the advantage of 21-0.
The Warrior defense got into the scoring game within a mere minute. The senior defensive back Haden Wheeler snatched an Cooper McNutt pass and returned the ball 33 yards to score an interception, giving the Warriors an advantage of 28-0.
Wheeler stated that he was not sure his score would be credited after he saw an official flag in the play.
“There was a kid the front of me,” he said. “I moved on him, but then there was no one. I was running and they then were able to throw an flag.
“I was thinking, ‘They’ve made a late strike against the quarterback. The ball is returning. I didn’t get excited however, it did count. The players blocked it the ball after I had picked it.”
The pick-6 by Wheeler was the Warriors second interception of the game. Jace Turner had the first pick. Turner also lost a ball recovered during the second quarter which led to his third touchdown.
The second consecutive week that Turner made an interception as well as the recovery of a fumble.
Turner stated that the Warrior coaches were on the defensive side quite hard this week following the 56-28 win last week against Central in Florence.
“We were aware last week that we weren’t performing. We surrendered 28 points and conceded the most yards we’ve allowed all season,” Turner said. “Tonight we needed to step into the game with a fresh mindset and become the team we’d like to be. I felt like we had a good defensive game. Every player on our defense is looking to be the most efficient defensive team in the 4A. I think our drive and coaches’ motivation can really assist us.”
Haleyville (8-4) got some momentum before halftime. McNutt was the leader of a 12-play 75-yard drive that ended in his five-yard scramble scoring at the halftime horn.
The added point turned it into an 28-7 win.
The little momentum the Lions lost during the kickoff of the second half. The Warriors were able to recover an offside kick from the 40 yard line of their own.
After a few seconds, Carson Chesnut – filling the shoes of hurt Carson Tittle at quarterback – was able to score. Ben Frampton’s added point made it a 35-7 win.
Tittle was wearing a helmet to his left knee at 10:55 left in the 2nd quarter. He was spotted sitting on the Warrior sideline, with an ice pack placed on the bench.
“Initial reports look OK,” Kelley said. “Our trainer was of the opinion that everything was in good order. We’ll take him to have an MRI. The good news is that the doctor was there and was later held in a PAT when he’d been injured.
“He’s started to move. It’s a little uncomfortable.”
Cornejo recorded his last touchdown in the contest on two yards with eight minutes to go in the final third period to give the Warriors ahead 42-7.
Tae Diamond scored a six-yard score with just eight minutes left during the 4th.
McNutt toss an 18-yard touchdown pass for 13 yards to Eli Cagle with 2:19 remaining in the game’s final. McNutt was successful on 20 of the 36 passes for the 186-yard score and also scored the touchdown. Brett Coleman was his top receiver, catching eight passes for the 88-yard mark.
With their win, the Warriors will now play in their quarterfinal game at West Morgan (12-0). The Rebels beat Corner 35-14 in another second-round playoff game on Friday.
This is the second time in a row that these two teams will face off for the championships.
Warriors Warriors beat West Morgan last year 42-28 in the second round last year.
“I am aware that the team that we’re playing is eager,” Kelley said. “They were a very good soccer team in the past. They have a lot of players returning. We felt as if we’d come across each other. The moment is here and the date is right now.
“There’s plenty to play for. It’s about who will embrace the moment more, and who is able to play with integrity. It’s going to be a great atmosphere next week, on Black Friday. It’s always an enjoyable feeling to practice on the week of Thanksgiving. It’s a gift.”
21 PARKER Oxford 14,Malik Muhammad’s catch-and-run, 40-yard touchdown provided Parker victory with just two minutes remaining. The Thundering Herd eliminated Oxford.
Jaydon Thomas’ five-yard run made it 14-14 with 7:12 left as did Mason Mims’ 15-yard touchdown passing and fall-backward catch from Camre Hampton tied the game 7-7 with just 15 seconds remaining in the opening half.
Oxford was 9-3 and earned a second-place place in Class 6A, Region 6.
“Couldn’t be happier with our seniors’ group,” third-year Oxford coach Sam Adams said. “They gave their all to support each other, and also for Oxford.
“Parker is an extremely great football team, and they played a better game that we could have.”
BTW 22 HANDLEY 9: Cannon Kyles, who was injured in the second half recorded 12 yards in the total offense however it wasn’t enough to make it into the second round. Handley to the second round.
Nemo Askew scored Tigers one touchdown with an 8-yard run during the 3rd quarter. Landon Bozeman hit a 33-yard field goal in the initial quarter.
E.J. Goss was the top scorer of the entire Handley players in rushes with 63 yards. Kyles scored on 10 of his 16 passes for 97 yards.
Handley completed 10-2 and claimed the Class 4A Regional 4 title.
