Cherokee Rolls Past Wetumka to First State Title

Originally Published: Dec 4, 2010 11:24 PM CDT

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Layna Dewell
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

STILLWATER, Oklahoma—The Cherokee Chiefs won their first ever State Championship in football under the lights of Stillwater High School Stadium with a big win over Wetumka 62-32.

The Chiefs appearance in the playoffs this season is the school’s first appearance since 1999, and for a team that wasn’t picked by many to even make the playoffs, the squad made it count, taking home the first gold ball in their gridiron history.

In fact, prior to this game, the Chiefs had a grand total of four playoff victories in school history, as the best Cherokee had ever done was second round finishes in 1966, 1989, 1998 and 1999.

The play of Cherokee’s quarterback Justin Schanbacher was stellar. In the first half alone he had four touchdowns including a 32-yard score on the Chiefs first play of the game.

Cherokee went up 22-8 early but then back came the Chieftains who cut it to two at 22-20.

At the break Cherokee still had the advantage at 30-20.

From then on Cherokee continued their dominance in the second half to take home the state championship by a final score of 62-32.

This season has been all about the production and play of Cherokee’s offensive and defensive lines which allowed for great control and flexibility on both sides of the ball.

Meanwhile, Wetumka made a great run through this years’ post season. The young squad was picked to finish fifth in the District B-3 preseason predictions.

This year’s appearance in the state title game is the team’s second appearance ever, but Wetumka has never won the gold ball. The teams last shot at the tile was in 1970 when they lost to Minco 28-0.

Wetumka finishes the season at 11-3 and the squad was the Class B-3 district runner up.

Cherokee not only won this year’s championship, but also did it undefeated at 13-0 for the 2010 campaign.