Student Athletes, Bands, JROTC Come Together For CCSD Senior Bowl

From Cherokee County School District: Cherokee County School District's Class of 2017 football players, cheerleaders, marching band and JROTC had a last hurrah under the high school gridiron lights Thursday night, as seniors from CCSD's six high schools came together for the 2016 Varsity Brands Senior Bowl, to benefit St. Jude's Children's Research.

River Ridge HS Coach Tyler Wynn led the "south" team of seniors from the Woodstock schools (River Ridge, Etowah and Woodstock) against Creekview Coach Terry Crowder and the Canton ("north") squad from Cherokee, Creekview and Sequoyah.

While the south-end schools prevailed on the scoreboard, the night was about fun and charity."The game keeps getting better and better each year," said Coach Crowder. "We as coaches are so lucky to have one last week to spend time with our seniors."Coach Winn agreed. "It is always a pleasure to get together with the coaches from the county and celebrate these seniors one last time," he said. "It's a great experience to learn from the other coaches and watch these kids compete while having fun.

"Sponsors for the event included title sponsor Varsity Brands, and event sponsor Northside Hospital-Cherokee. Additional support came from: Protech Printing, Credit Union of Georgia, Cherokee Youth Football Association, Herff-Jones, J & H Sales, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Chick-fil-A, Ed Voyles Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, Cherokee County Gridiron Club, Cherokee County Sports Hall of Fame, Georgia Football Officials Association, Open Road Complete RV and Longhorns Steakhouse.

PHOTO 1: South team QB Liam Byrne rolls out looking for a receiver. The teams wore white and green jerseys with their home team's helmet.

PHOTO 2: School Board Chair Kyla Cromer literally wore two hats on the chilly night -- a Creekview hat for the north team, and a Woodstock hat for the south team.

PHOTO 3: A combined unit from the Junior ROTC units from CCSD's six high schools presented the colors on the field prior to kickoff.

PHOTO 4: Woodstock HS Varsity singers performed before the game; from left to right: April Schlinkert, Jake Eastridge, Isaac Condrey, Eli Wilkerson and Katelyn Nacon.

PHOTO 5: The Varsity Brands Senior Bowl allows former opponents to work together as a new team.

PHOTO 7: Sub-freezing temperatures didn't keep the hardiest of football fans away from the stadium at Woodstock HS.

PHOTO 8: Woodstock High School's Corey Long runs it up the middle.

PHOTO 9: Jarrod Fletcher from River River HS heads down the sidelines.

PHOTO 10: Cherokee High School's Justin Weathers breaks up a pass play on defense.

PHOTO 11: Layers are the order of the night for Creekview High School's Emma Vosika as the marching band and flag corps prepare to perform.

PHOTO 12: Marching Band members from all six high school played holiday tunes for the crowd at the Senior Bowl.

PHOTO 13: Mary Dru McCoy spins her flag during the halftime performance by the marching bands and flag corps.

PHOTO 14: The Senior Bowl Marching Band takes the field.

PHOTO 15: Spectators came prepared for the sub-freezing temperatures with lots of blankets, hats and gloves.

PHOTO 16: Head GHSA official Keith Hammond gives direction to the team captains while School Board member Kelly Poole, School Board Chair Kyla Cromer, CCSD Director of School Operations Debra Murdock and Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian Hightower look on. The referees from GHSA donated their time for the charity event.

PHOTO 17: Team captains shake hands before the game. Zach Stark, #31, wishes a good game to Tate Dill, #11.

PHOTO 18: Cheerleaders from all six schools cheer on all the players.

PHOTO 19: The Senior Bowl Flag Corps performs.

PHOTO 20: Senior musicians from all six schools made up the Senior Bowl Marching Band.

PHOTO 21: CCSD Director of School Operations Debra Murdock thanks sponsor Cherokee Sports Hall of Fame board member Bob Eddy for its sponsorship.

PHOTO 22: Debra Murdock, left, thanks event sponsor Northside Hospital-Cherokee, represented by Jennifer Stanley, for its support.

PHOTO 23: Debra Murdock, left, thanks Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, represented by Janet Read, for its support.

Photos courtesy of Cherokee County School District