The Cherokee Indians began the 2010 season last Friday night against the Sidney Eagles. Preseason polls had the Eagles ranked at # 57 and the Indians at # 135 among all 6-man teams. The Indians played a good game against the Eagles. A few miscues and a couple of questionable calls ultimately cost the Indians a victory.

The Indians started off the right way when Damion Cooks recovered an Eagle fumble. This led to a 2 yard TD run by Josh Brown. The PAT failed. The Indian’s next possession ended on a lost fumble. The Indians mounted a 4th and short goal-line stand to keep the Eagles out of the end zone. The 1st quarter ended with the Indians ahead 6-0.

The 2nd quarter started the wrong way for the Indians as the Indians fumbled the ball away. Sidney was able to convert the turnover to points on a 13 yard pass play. The PAT was blocked by Stephen Austermann and Mikey Smith. This tied the score at 6 apiece. The Indians took the lead again midway through the 2nd quarter on a beautiful 65 yard pass play from Austermann to Nieves Solis. Tucker Corsi kicked the PAT to put the Indians up 14-6. The Indian defense stopped the next Eagle drive when Burnam Sloan recovered an Eagle fumble. The Indians were unable to score on the possession. With 13 seconds remaining in the half, Sidney scored on a 15 yard pass play and added the PAT to tie the game at 14-14.

Midway through the 3rd quarter, the Eagles took the lead on a 25 yard pass play. The PAT failed. Cooks took the ensuing kickoff for the Indians and returned it 67 yards for a touchdown. Corsi added the PAT and the Indians were up 22-20.

The 4th quarter scoring action began with 5:33 remaining in the game. Sidney scored on a 12 yard run and kicked the PAT to go up 22-28. With 4:12 on the clock, the Indians scored on a 3 yard run by Brown. The PAT was blocked, leaving the score tied at 28-28. Sidney moved the ball down the field, eating time off the clock, then scored on a 12 yard pass play with 2 seconds left in the game. The PAT was good, which gave them a 28-36 lead. The Indians were unable to score on the kickoff.

The Indians will meet Loraine in Eden Saturday morning at 11:00.