Cherokee High

Competition Cheer
Coach Maddie Wheeler

Cherokee’s competitive cheer program returns, with varsity and junior varsity squads. The varsity squad coaches are Carson Rockey and Maddie Wheeler. Abbie Bearden and Alli Yeomans coach the JV squad.

The JV program was new last year, and ended the season with three wins out of the four competitions entered. They are looking forward to another successful season.

Varsity is returning as the reigning region champion. They are the first competitive cheer squad at Cherokee High to win the region. This season’s goal is to keep that title and place in the top six at state.

Two seniors, Ellie Williamson and Lindsey Nichols, lead the team with their skill set and attitude. Ryleigh Frey, only a sophomore, has stepped easily into a leadership role in her second year on varsity. Junior Tara Parks is one to keep an eye on. She is an all-around great athlete, who also competes in flag football, pole vault and gymnastics. She is the reigning region pole vault champion.

The public is invited to support both squads at the inaugural Pride of Cherokee cheer competition Oct. 2 at Cherokee High.

Cross-Country
Coach Rebekah Gay

Cherokee cross country coaches and athletes are excited about the 2021-22 season.

On the women’s side, we are returning Lily Cincola (class of 2022), Lexi Pavase (2023), Grace Avillar (2022), Kendle Butterworth (2022), Lyla Frady (2024) and Miyah Thomas (2024). We have high hopes for an increase in the roster, but also have depth returning.

On the men’s side, returning are Jake Herbet (2022), Clark Farrell (2022), Andres Baltazar (2023), Seth Grogan (2024), Tyler Kendrick (2022) and Andrew Solano (2023). The men’s team has enjoyed several years of success, with a deep roster and a competitive nature.

Both programs are eager to compete against county and region competitors, and to have an opportunity to go back to state.

Flag Football
Coach Thomas Stringfellow

The Cherokee women’s flag football team enters the 2021 season with high expectations. After advancing to the second round of last year’s state playoff, the Warriors start the season with plenty of experience on a roster that includes six seniors and 11 juniors. In addition to competing against their Area 7 opponents, Cherokee has added Denmark, South Forsyth and Roswell to the schedule.

“One of the positive things that came out of last year’s COVID-19 season was that we had to have players learn various positions, in case a player, or multiple players, got sick or quarantined,” Coach Thomas Stringfellow said. “While it wasn’t ideal, it did give us the opportunity to get a lot of players game experience at multiple positions.”

The Warriors will rely heavily on defense, where juniors Tara Parks and Lilly Stock anchor a unit that allowed just over 6 points a game last season. Parks led the team in tackles in 2020, recording 48 stops from her defensive line position — an impressive statistic, considering most offenses are pass-heavy in flag football. When the other team passed, it was Stock who often found the ball. From her safety position, she grabbed a team-high 7 interceptions in 2020.

The Warriors will need that same productivity from the defense early, as the offense finds an identity. Cherokee must replace quarterback Julia Wilson, who was lost to graduation. The Warriors return talent at the receiver position. Senior Haleigh Cianchetti, junior Anna Kurto and sophomore Ashley Bieger combined for more than 600 yards last season. Cherokee will need this unit to gel quickly, if the team is to be successful in 2021.

An overlooked area that the Warriors need to address is punter, where they must replace Ferny Ruiz. The 2020 graduate averaged 35.24 yards per punt last year, including 9 punts inside the opponent’s 10-yard line.

With the depth gained from last season, Cherokee returns the talent and experience to make another playoff run in 2021.

Football
Head Coach Josh Shaw

The Warriors have the opportunity to do something never done before in the program’s history: making the playoffs for a fourth consecutive season. Once again, the team faces a daunting schedule, playing every Cherokee County school, along with Rome and Cartersville. Milton and Roswell will be key region games that will dictate seeding in the playoffs.

On offense, returning quarterbacks AJ Swann and wide receiver Adarrius Harshaw, both All-State and nationally ranked prospects, give the offense plenty of firepower. Ryan Chandley, another college prospect, moves from guard to tackle to anchor the offensive line. Starting center Ben Rice also returns. Transfer wide receiver Aidan Moore is primed for a breakout season, along with starting wide receiver Keegan Baker. Wide receiver Caleb Richardson, a 6 feet, 6 inches basketball player, has impressed so far, and Adam Fullen will receive his share of passes. The top ball carrier is rising junior Zi Johnson.

The entire starting defensive line returns, led by senior Toby Thompson and rising star sophomore Javon Hobson. Tanner Dollyhigh and Jax Holcomb also have made their share of plays. Junior linebacker Kyan Simmons is poised for a breakout season. The linebacker corps is led by All-Region senior Tyler Goddard. The secondary returns three senior starters in free safety Keegan Baker, strong safety Chase Goddard and cornerback Ryan O’Keefe.

Senior kicker Joel Stahl is a huge weapon as well, with a range well beyond 40 yards and the ability to put 90% of his kickoffs in the end zone.

Softball
Coach Tonya Carlisle

The team enters the 2021 season looking to continue the winning tradition established over the past two decades. The team will compete in Region 5 AAAAAAA, against familiar opponents, including county rivals Etowah and Woodstock, as well as Fulton County schools Alpharetta, Milton and Roswell. The Warriors return a talented roster, including seniors Nikki Brown (infielder), Haleigh Cianchetti (infielder), and Cadance Summerlin (outfielder). Cherokee will lean heavily on experience on offense and defense, with juniors Kaley Crane, Lottie Landmesser, Kenleigh Spence and Celan Trowers. At pitcher, sophomore Elyse Kresho and Spence will lead the way. Several newcomers to the varsity team who will provide depth to the roster include freshmen Mac Pavese and Sophie Ray, sophomore Hailey Spoor and junior Anna Kurto.

“The amount of talent and depth on the 2021 team ranks at the top of the teams that have come through this program,” Head Coach Tonya Carlisle said. “They have been working extremely hard over the past year, and are ready to compete. We look forward to the upcoming season and the opportunity to proudly represent our school and our program on the field, in the classroom, and in the community.”

Volleyball
Coach Jamison Horton

The Lady Warriors are looking to build upon a very successful 2020 season, which the team finished with a 23-11 record, made the state playoffs for the first time in school history and made a sweet sixteen appearance. The Lady Warriors return 11 of 14 players this season, and rely on five seniors to lead the way: 1st team All-Region selection Faith Breitbarth, Josey Leblanc, Greyson Callaway, Kylie Roe and Katie Camp. Sophomore All-region selections Brin Chestnut and Sophie Lyen also are vital.

The Warriors will be looking to improve upon a third-place in Region 5-7A. Reining state champion Alpharetta and Roswell return key players and look to be strong contenders once again in the region. County rivals Etowah and Woodstock also will be very formidable opponents for the region crown.

The program is reaching new heights, with more than 40 young women participating this season. Volleyball is the fastest growing female sport in the country, and we would love to see as many spectators in the stands as possible.

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Creekview High

Competition Cheer
Head Coach Cassie Koes

Varsity and junior varsity teams have plenty of talent with returners and new athletes, under the leadership of seniors Katie Tuten, Kenna Wesolowski, Ava Di Gennaro and Delaney Dickerson. Tuten and Wesolowski will be the program’s four year varsity letter recipients.

The varsity team also includes seven incredible juniors, five hard working sophomores and four powerful freshmen. JV has five dedicated returning sophomores who will lead the team, and welcome 12 freshmen. We are very excited to announce our JV team will be competing in the co-ed division with the addition of male cheerleader, Isaiah Guerrero!

Our junior varsity team has set out to “out skill” their routine from last year. Our varsity girls are in it for redemption this year. After a not-as-expected state championship performance from the season prior, these girls are ready to come back better than ever.

Cross-Country
Head Coach Kirk Scharich

Our boys will be led by Bryson Gates, who was ninth at last year’s state meet and is the school’s record holder in the 1600 and 3200-meter runs. He will get help from Wilson Hurdle, Dillon Berger and Riley Ball, all strong top 5 runners last year. Other key performers include Conner Bergey, Mason Koller, Robert Koller and Henry Harris. Key newcomers include Russell Chamblee, Corey Bonham and Will Stacy. Key losses are Chris Adams, Justin Lehman and Dean Ross.

Our Grizzly ladies will be led by Kate McTyre, Lauren Fath, Adrienne Jocke and Sydney Howard. Key newcomers are Bekah Dirrim, Ansley Walters, Camryn Yokley, Emma Smithwick and Grayson Furman. Key losses include Makena Gates, our three-time state champion who is Harvard bound.

Our focus in preparing for this fall has been to work hard this summer on strength, endurance and character that will carry us through a successful competitive season.

Flag Football
Head Coach Jessyca Mangum

I am excited for the season as my first year as head coach. We are thrilled to get back on the turf this October, and are eager for the first jamboree game on Oct. 2. With an increasing turnout for tryouts each year, we’re excited to welcome our former players and potential new stars. Senior leaders Maya Maldonado and Lindsay Wayland are certain to help develop our younger athletes and continue to break records on the field.

Football
Head Coach Trevor Williams

After coming off a solid 7-3 campaign last season returning to the playoffs, the team will look to reload and make a run for the region title in 2021. A host of talented players are returning from last year’s squad. The 2020 season came to an unexpected end last year, when the Grizzlies were upset by Sprayberry in the first round of the playoffs.

Offensively, the Grizzlies return their leading rusher in Tyler Stevens, who has multiple Division 1 offers and heads up a group of explosive offensive playmakers. Seniors A.J. Vaccaro, Tristan Summers and Will Hussa provide weapons on the outside to complement the ground attack. Mason Hicks is under center for Creekview and gives the Grizzlies big play potential on every down. Senior Bradon Dabrowa anchors a young offensive line and provides leadership for a young but talented position group.

On defense, the Grizzlies return a solid core of starters that allowed an average of less than 13 points per game, including brothers Ty and Isaac Hubert. Creekview returns several starters on the back end, including safety Cale Williams and junior DB Taylor Cox-Young.

Softball
Head Coach Jen Maloney

The Creekview softball team is looking to return to Columbus this season and hoist the trophy. This veteran team will be led by seven seniors and numerous returning players. Each senior will have a great impact on our success. The outfield and lineup will be led by senior and All-State player Ashton Schroyer. The infield will return seniors and all-region members Ella Campbell and Sammi Martin. The pitching staff will be led by All-State and 2020 Georgia Pitcher of the Year, Anslie Pettit. “This will be a fun and exciting group to watch. They truly enjoy working hard, competing with each other, and have one goal in mind,” Maloney said.

Volleyball
Head Coach Jessica Estes

Coach Estes, assistant coach Taylor Nhep, and the Creekview Lady Grizzlies are excited about the 2021 season. After graduating one senior, Anslee McDonald, the Grizzlies will be led seniors: Avery Collins, Sophia Del Valle, Ellie Johnson, Morgan McClure, Alivia Mynes, Mackenzi Salas and Katie Tepsic. Joining them will be juniors Avery Petzinger, Lexie Warshaw, Sydney Crowe and Sophie Duckworth along with the young talent of Sarah Richardson and Jordan Markley.

Last season, the Grizzlies were led offensively by Johnson with 381 kills and McClure with 319 kills, and led defensively by Del Valle with 407 digs. After a strong fight in region play last year, Creekview finished fourth, earning a spot in the state playoffs. Although they fell short in the first round, this experience will be beneficial as we look to be even more successful in this new season.

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Sequoyah High

Competition Cheer
Coach Cassie Pichon

The competition cheer program is excited for the upcoming 2021 season. Although the team will be very young, it comes packed with talent, including full-squad standing and many elite stunting skills. The coaches are extremely excited with the work ethic, dedication and determination that this team brought to summer workouts.

“There is something special about this group of girls. I am looking forward to seeing the growth this season and extremely excited about what each of these girls bring to the team,” Cassie Pichon said. Another asset is the addition of Assistant Coach Ashlyn Grummer, who specializes in gymnastics and tumbling, and brings many years of experience from competitive gymnastics and cheerleading. The team will begin competing in October, and will compete in four competitions this season against teams from across the state.

Cross-Country
Head Coach Corinne Snow

The boys cross country team is excited to bring back seven varsity runners from the 2020 state qualifying team. They will be led by seniors Josh Helms and Aiden Ingram. Rising juniors Jake Labasi, Nathan Valles, Jack Tucker, Clay Tucker and Brock Freeman are working hard to return to the 2021 state championships.

The girls will be led by senior Susanna Rogers and juniors Ella Grace Cothren and Stella Waites, coming off a strong track season. Cothren and Rogers had big cross country and track seasons, breaking school records in the 5K, 3200M and 1600M. While the girls team graduated two of our top seven state team runners, we returned with four members of the 2020 state team. We are eager to make it to the 2021 state championship.

Fast Pitch Softball
Head Coach Lane Whitley

After a 2020 trip to state playoffs, the 2021 softball team looks to build on that success. Despite graduating six seniors, we have a great nucleus coming back. Seniors Molly Stevens (a Reinhardt commit), Abby Schreiner and Katelyn Edwards should lead the team to state again this season. We return a strong pitching staff, with Ava Fouts, Allison Sparkman, Kayla Scheiwe and Katelyn Edward.

Last season, we were co-region champs, and we should compete for the region championship again this season. The team will have to get past region foes Creekview, Cambridge and River Ridge to do so.

Flag Football
Coach Emily Ryan

The focus for the 2021 flag football season will be another run at the area championship, along with a third straight trip to the state playoffs. Cherokee County has been a trailblazer getting the sport of flag football off the ground in the state of Georgia, and is only getting more competitive with the addition of new teams to the area. The Chiefs will open up the season at Denmark High School on Oct. 7 against South Forsyth High School, as they look to avenge their loss in the Sweet 16 of the 2020 state playoffs to the War Eagles.

The 2021 Chiefs will be led by seniors Shelby Johnson, Alyssa Santana, Khelsey Shipp and Jamiaah Wilson. The team will look to running back Mya McRae, wide receiver Peyton Harper and tight end Caroline Small to get the offense going. On defense, the Chiefs will look to corners Amelia Griffiths and Kaitlyn Shellenbarger to defend the edge, as well as linebacker Samarah Destin.

With all the returning talent and past success the Sequoyah Chiefs have had, the focus will be on individual roles and continual player development, in order to ensure another successful season.

Football
Head Coach James Teter

The 2021 Chiefs hope to use the 2020 late season momentum to help jump start this season. Although last season started off slowly, the Chiefs rallied to win four of the last five games.

Like every year, the key to having a successful season is the ability to find replacements for key graduating seniors. On offense, at quarterback, the returning starter is junior Matthew Traynor. Also competing at quarterback is junior Alex Conti Jr. At running back, returners are senior fullback Peyton Lucas and senior wingback Jack Piskorz. Competing for playing time at running back are sophomores Jackson Hancock and Tyler Bell, senior Kemar Plummer, and juniors Ben Sanders, Asante Chimanda and Cruz Wright. Sophomore Dmitri Morris is the center. Returning juniors Tayo Ogundele and Jimmy Anderson, along with Will Scott and Walker Back, will compete at guard. Competing for time at offensive tackle are seniors Marshall Ketcham and Zack Barrett, sophomore Asher Martineau and junior Caden McMichen. Junior Ty Moores returns at tight end, along with senior Harrison Hood and junior Michael Kapanowski. Wide receiver finds seniors Ashkon Hunt and Josh Price, and juniors Zach Conrad, Cameron Massy and Demond Baker competing to start.

On the defensive line, seniors Avery Born and Harrison Hood will be the staples up front. Newcomers sophomore Brady Curl and senior Logan St. John will compete at the nose position. Seniors Patrick Beirne and Julian Camacho and junior Deaven Beavers will compete for playing time on the defensive front.

Seniors Chris Miller and Izaiah Sanders and junior Nathan Prewett are vying for starting positions at linebacker. At outside linebacker, juniors Rowen Steele and Carter Sandt, senior Kemar Plummer, junior Cruz Wright and sophomore Chris Jordan will control the edge. In the secondary, junior Matthew Traynor, sophomores Jackson Hancock and Bretton Darling and junior Cameron Massy compete for two starting spots at safety, while juniors Ridley Joseph and Ben Sanders, and sophomores Tyler Bell and Cameron Walker compete for the corner positions.

Volleyball
Head Coach John Edwards

This season sees the return of many familiar faces, as well as increased roles for others, in an effort to stay among the top teams in Class 6A. With appearances in the state finals in 2019 and final four in 2020, the team is motivated to compete against one of the toughest schedules in program history.

Graduated are six varsity members, including state player of the year Paige Powers, who is playing at Georgia Southern. Returning are two first-team All-State players, setter Taylor Pecht and libero Skylar Martin. All-State honorable mention Sara Siefert also returns, as do Catherine Brumbeloe, Sydney Huyck, Rosa Fisher and Sayler Davies. Versatility is the team’s strong point this year, as many players play multiple positions, to maximize the team’s chances to be successful.

Coach John Edwards welcomes new Assistant Coach Jordan Chapman to complement a staff that also includes Matt Roberson, who is coaching JV and assisting with varsity.

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Woodstock High

Competition Cheer
Head Coach Helen Lane

Our talented team is led by our five amazing seniors: Madison Coleman, Mattie Graison Earnest, Mikayla Foust, Emily Hunter and Trell Toombs. These young women have helped the team break school records since their freshman year, and our goal is to continue this tradition. Their positive attitudes and encouraging leadership styles are teaching our younger athletes how consistency, teamwork, positivity and determination can help reach individual and team goals.

Our athletes worked hard this summer to prepare for a highly competitive season that includes six invitationals, with home competition on Oct. 30. Region, sectionals and state will follow. Being the head coach of the Woodstock cheerleading program is a true honor, and I am excited to see what our amazing team accomplishes this season.

Cross-Country
Head Coach Wakely Louis

We are looking forward to an exciting cross-country season. Our girls qualified for state last year and, hopefully, we can repeat that this year. The girls’ team should be competitive this year, with our juniors and seniors returning. Team leaders are Samantha Burmeister, Lilly Bailey, Caroline Olvin, Sophie Weissel and Anna Wadsworth.

Our boys came up short by a few points and did not make an appearance at state last year. Joseph Mines was the only athlete to make it to state. The boys have a chance to make an appearance at state this year, under the leadership of Dillon Watson, Joseph Mines, Jafari McEachron and Kevin Hackett.

We will focus on core workouts to strengthen all the muscles, to help improve running form, cut down injuries and boost their overall athletic performance. We want to continue to work hard, but, to accomplish that, we must stay healthy.

Flag Football
Head Coach Mason Wren

After reaching the Sweet 16 in its inaugural 2020 GHSA season, the Woodstock flag football team is looking to continue its success in the 2021 season. The Wolverines welcome Blessed Trinity into Area 4 for 6A/7A, along with Cherokee, Creekview, Etowah, River Ridge and Sequoyah. The Wolverines will lean heavily on returning starters and senior leaders Reece Morrish and Clara Welch. Tryouts take place Sept. 20. The Wolverines will open their season against Creekview at 7 p.m. Oct. 19 at Cherokee High.

Football
Head Coach Troy Hoff

The 2021 Woodstock Wolverines have handled many changes this offseason as they work toward a return to the GHSA playoffs. Troy Hoff was named the new head coach in March, in addition to other coaching changes on the staff. Woodstock plays in the competitive Region 5 AAAAAAA. The Wolverines have a challenging nonregion schedule, and opened their season Aug. 20 at the Den against Sequoyah.

The 2021 team is young and inexperienced, with many players competing for playing time. Returning starters on offense include junior quarterback Dan Comeau and a pair of offensive linemen in, junior Tyler Douthit (all-region) and senior JT Hunter. The defense will be led by a pair of all-region linebackers: senior Preston Lawrence and junior Carson Gray.

Players and coaches had a productive offseason and continue to put a tremendous amount of work into new training protocols and schematic changes. The growth and development of the 2021 team will depend on the level of improvement each week throughout the season. Our goal is to become a competitive program where the teams continually have a chance to win games in the fourth quarter and compete in the GHSA state playoffs.

Softball
Head Coach Alex Gray

The 2021 season is promising. The varsity is returning seven starters from last year, with several new faces in the lineup to enhance our competitive edge. This will be one of the most talented groups of young women this program has seen in a while. Mixed with five seniors who have been three-year starters, our lineup will be rounded out with several talented players competing for playing time.

Our defense is loaded with veteran leadership, and I have high expectations for them. The outfield is led by seniors Brooklyn McNeese and Maddie Carruthers, whose defensive abilities are second to none. The infield will be led by seniors Hannah Forbes and Molly Wiggins (both 2020 first-team all-region), and juniors Kacie Wiggins and Mak Levine. Brooke Hodges, a 2020 freshman starter, will see time in the infield and outfield; we are excited about her growth in the offseason. In the circle, Wiggins and Gracie Menard will lead the charge, with help from junior Savannah Read. New additions include freshmen Abby Gillis and Alyssa Kendall. Victoria Tunon returns from offseason knee surgery. We can’t wait to have her leadership on the field.

Our senior class is a special group, and I look forward to watching them lead this program back to the playoffs this year. Overall, our team is composed of remarkable young women, and they are a pleasure to coach.

Volleyball
Head Coach Kelly Audia

The 2020 season, as it was, became a strong indicator of improvement on the Woodstock sub-varsity levels, but last year’s senior group made definite sacrifices for this program moving forward.

While the 2020 team struggled to win on the varsity level, last year’s seniors were a tremendous influence on the underclassmen. Their attitude and perseverance will be a part of the returning squad’s growth and attitude going forward. Neva Clark, Lauren DeSanctis, Kenzie Lamberg and Brooke Loan long will be remembered for their contributions.

This year’s team will continue to build for the future and compete more consistently than in prior years. The volleyball play and the work ethic are solidly improving, and the team is eager to begin.

Returning key varsity players consist of senior Allison Mascitti (libero/defensive specialist), juniors Gracie Cassidy (middle blocker), Alexa Travis (outside hitter), Peyton White and Payton Kuhn (setters), sophomores Lola Burdick (outside hitter/right side) and Ava Tieman (libero/defensive specialist). Many newcomers will vie for positions early in the year.