Phil Anastasia: Big gamble pays off big in Cherokee's victory

Top-seeded and undefeated Cherokee survived difficult conditions and a physical challenge from division rival Eastern to emerge with a 14-3 victory last night in the first round of the South Jersey Group 4 football tournament.

The Chiefs held the Vikings without a first down in the first and third quarters and came up with a timely turnover on Tyler Powell's interception in the fourth quarter.

Cherokee (9-0) also used some big plays from quarterback Andy Martin and wide receiver Drake Rodgers. They combined for five receptions worth 83 yards and a touchdown.

But this game between Olympic American rivals in a cold rain and gusting wind turned on Cherokee's gamble on fourth and 10 from its own 37-yard line late in the first half.

"It's something we put in this week," said Powell, Cherokee's all-purpose senior star. "When it gets called, it's kind of tough to control your emotions."

The call was a fake punt pass. Eastern had partially blocked a punt when the teams met in the regular season Oct. 30, and the Vikings came close again earlier in the second quarter - drawing a penalty when several players ran into Powell just as he kicked away the football.

It was a daring call because of the field position, and the conditions, and the fact that it was a 7-3 game on a cold, rainy and windy night.

But Cherokee executed the play to perfection. Powell passed to Mike Zeuli in the right flat, and the junior rambled 19 yards for a first down at the Eastern 44.

Three plays later, Cherokee's Sean Farrell rumbled 8 yards into the end zone. After the placement, the Chiefs had a 14-3 lead with less than a minute to play in the second quarter.

"The difference between 7-3 and 14-3 in these conditions was huge," said Mehigan, whose team will host the winner of tonight's Williamstown-Toms River North game in the semifinals.

This was not a typical Cherokee victory, and Eastern kept Farrell, the Chiefs' powerful running back, in check most of the night. Farrell finished with 84 yards on 29 carries, running 10 times for 31 yards on the final possession of the game.

But Cherokee found other ways to score. Martin was 6 for 8 passing for 83 yards in the first half. One of those completions was a 42-yard touchdown strike to Drake on a slip screen late in the first quarter.

"We work on our timing on that all the time," Martin said.

Martin and Drake hooked up for a 26-yard completion to the Eastern 8 just before Farrell's touchdown run. On the game, Martin passed for 107 yards.

Cherokee is renowned for its powerful ground game as well as for limiting its mistakes. But the Chiefs committed seven penalties for 65 yards and also lost three fumbles.

"We were able to overcome that tonight, but it wasn't easy," Mehigan said.

It took great defense. It took some big plays in the passing game. It took a ground game that roared to life in the fourth quarter.

But it also took a daring decision on a night that seemed more suited for playing it safe.

"It's not always going to be a perfect game," Powell said. "You have to find different ways to win."

Eastern 3 0 0 0 - 3

Cherokee 7 7 0 0 - 14

E: Billy Long 35 FG

C: Drake Rodgers 42 pass from Andy Martin (Al Morrissey kick)

C: Sean Farrell 8 run (Morrissey kick)