The Cherokee Indians still can’t catch a break. They started district play last Friday night without Junior running backs Jesse Perez and Tucker Corsi and lost senior Duncan Roberts late in the 4th quarter to a dislocated knee. The remainder of the team, 2 seniors, 1 junior, 1 sophomore, and 3 freshmen played hard but couldn’t contain the Mustangs down the stretch.

The Indians and Mustangs went scoreless in the 1st quarter until 0:48 was left on the clock. The Indians were running a spread offense when the deep back slipped in the endzone giving Brookesmith a 2 point safety.

The 2nd quarter showed more offense with the Mustangs scoring on a 15 yard run early in the quarter. Damion Cooks blocked the PAT. The Indians got on the board with a 1 yard run by Duncan Roberts. Stephen Austermann kicked the PAT to tie the score at 8-8. Brookesmith regained the lead mid-way through the quarter on a 35 yard run. The PAT failed. The Mustangs led 8-14 at halftime.

The Indians rallied in the 3rd quarter, scoring first on a 3 yard run by Roberts. Austermann added the PAT to give the Indians a 16-14 lead with 7:33 remaining in the quarter. Josh Perry and Shea Crawford teamed up and recovered the ensuing onside kick to give the Indians the ball back. The Indians made good use of the opportunity and capped the drive with an 18 yard pass from Nieves Solis to Austermann. The PAT failed, but the Indians had a 22-14 lead with 6:08 remaining in the quarter. With 1:49 on the clock, the Mustangs scored on a 16 yard run but missed the PAT. The Indians had a slim 22-20 lead.

Brookesmith did all the damage in the 4th quarter. They scored a 5 yard TD with 7:48 remaining in the game. Josh Perry blocked the PAT. The Indians were on the move when Roberts went down with his knee injury.

The Indians fumbled the football away close to the goal line with 5:21 remaining. The Mustangs worked the ball back down the field and scored on a 3 yard run and added the PAT kick to go up 22-34 with 1:07 remaining.

In a desperate attempt to move down the field and score, the Indians were once again separated from the football.

The Mustangs were able to recover and run out the clock.

The Indians will host Paint Rock for Homecoming this Friday at 7:30.