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Warrior senior defensive back Quartez Henderson must have heard his coach loud and clear.

It was his blocked 22-yard field goal attempt with seven seconds left in the game that secured a 39-38 victory and sends the Warriors (10-2) into next FridayÐÔÊӽ紫ý third round. They’ll face a familiar foe at home: Class 4A, Region 5 rival Hokes Bluff (8-4).

“We’re fortunate to come back and win the ball game in the end,� Curry said. “West Limestone has a great football team. They are very well coached, and they hit us where we didn’t need to be hit.�

Cherokee County fell behind 15-12 in the first half of FridayÐÔÊӽ紫ý game at Warrior Stadium, and after giving up a long touchdown on the Wildcats’ first play from scrimmage in the second half, things looked bleak for the Warriors.

But Cherokee County was far from out of the game.

The Warriors scored two consecutive touchdowns to take a 26-22 lead into the third quarter. Both touchdowns would come via passes from quarterback Tyren Dupree to Henderson, from 35 and 42 yards respectively. James Sewell would connect on both extra points.

Henderson finished with 105 reception yards and two scores on four catches. He also collected an interception on defense to go along with the blocked field goal attempt at the end.

The Wildcats (10-2) would regain the lead with a 36-yard dash from Reed Blankenship. Charles Hobson would rush to convert the 2-point attempt, making the score 30-26.

Blankenship finished the game with 179 yards rushing on 14 carries and 105 yards receiving on four catches. He also had an interception on defense.

In the fourth quarter, the lead changed again after a huge 55-yard touchdown rush from Warrior running back Jacob Graves. A successful Sewell PAT made put Cherokee County in front 33-30.

Graves finished with 121 rushing yards and a touchdown on 14 carries. He also caught two passes for 47 yards and a touchdown.

The Wildcats responded in a big way on their next drive, scoring on fourth-and-goal with a 4-yard pass from quarterback Chase Lancaster to receiver Jackson Gowan. Lancaster would rush to convert the 2-point attempt, making the score 38-33.

Lancaster finished with 82 yards rushing on 13 carries. He also completed 9-of-15 pass attempts for 178 yards and three scores.

The Warriors needed a touchdown to reclaim the lead, and Dupree delivered. He scored on a 10-yard quarterback keeper to make the score 39-38 with 1:51 remaining in the game.

Dupree finished with 180 rushing yards and a touchdown on 24 carries. He also connected on 6-of-11 pass attempts for 152 passing yards and three touchdowns.

After DupreeÐÔÊӽ紫ý touchdown run, it was now up to the Warrior defense to stop the Wildcats’ ensuing drive.

The unit bent, but didn’t break.

The Wildcats marched all the way down to the Warrior 5-yard line, where they would attempt the 22-yard field goal with seven seconds on the clock and no timeouts remaining. Henderson fired off the edge on the play to block the field goal attempt and save the game for the Warriors.

“A lot of things didn’t go our way tonight, but we kept fighting and kept going, and I’m tickled to death with the kids,� Curry said.