Cherokee County came into Friday’s Class 4A North semifinal game against Westminster Christian in Huntsville and smothered the home team’s high-flying offense on the way to a 50-6 win. The Warriors held Westminster almost 40 points under its season average.

No. 4 Cherokee County sports a 13-1 record as the team from Centre heads back to the AHSAA Super 7 for the second straight year after falling to Andalusia in 2022. The Warriors will meet top-ranked Montgomery Catholic for the title on Friday at 11 a.m. at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa. Catholic blanked B.T. Washington 28-0 in the South semifinal.

Cherokee County’s defense held the Westminster Christian offense that has scored 44.6 points a game to 119 total yards on the night – 29 in the opening half – and its offense rolled to a 43-0 first-half lead.

Senior running back Jacob Cornejo ran for 148 yards on 22 carries and scored three touchdowns for the Warriors. Quarterback Carson Tittle connected with Ben Frampton for a pair of touchdowns from 25 and 79 yards. Tittle completed all three of his passes for 110 yards and the two TDs, all while playing on a torn ACL.

Most of the Cherokee starters rested in the second half, but the Warriors did get a fourth-quarter score on Keyshaun Woods’ 50-yard run to make it 50-0.

Westminster Christian (11-3) got on the scoreboard when Brandon Musch hit Adam Hartman with a 37-yard TD pass.

Star of the game: Cornejo’s 148 yards and three touchdowns pushed his season total to 2,895 yards rushing with 37 TDs.

Stat sheet: Cherokee County – The Warriors rolled up 368 total yards. Woods ran for 85 yards on 17 carries. Frampton caught three passes for 110 yards and two touchdowns. Westminster Christian – Musch was 11-for-25 for 58 yards and a score. He ran for 33 yards in the loss. Henry Claunch gained 46 yards on 19 carries. Hartman caught three passes for 35 yards and a touchdown.

By the numbers: 6 – Cherokee County held Westminster to its lowest output on the season. 91 – Musch was held to 91 total yards, but did reach two milestones for the season. He accounted for 4,031 total yards and 63 touchdowns. He ends his career with 14,061 yards, No. 2 on the AHSAA all-time list. Musch is also second in total touchdowns with 194 – in 46 games. He averaged 305 yards per game for his career.

They said it: “I feel like since we made it to the championship last year this is like a recognition year. We know what to expect and we know what to do in this situation. I feel like if we have a great week of practice and film work and we keep getting great play from our offensive line, I feel like we can have a great shot at this.” – Cornejo

Coachspeak: “Words just can’t express how good it feels and how good the kids played tonight and how hard they’ve worked all season long. I can’t believe how this season has flown by. It seems we were in Week Zero just a few weeks ago and now we’re here playing in the fourth round and it’s just a blessing.” – Cherokee County head coach Jacob Kelley

“I told our guys that after a game like this, I couldn’t be happier or more proud of them for what they’ve done. It’s amazing to take Westminster further than they’ve ever been before. To do it the way they’ve done it is just phenomenal. I’m just so thankful for these young men as they work so hard. I know tonight was tough, but it does not negate what they have done this season and I’m just so thankful that God gave me a chance to be a part it.” – Westminster Christian head coach Louis LeBlanc