The only stronger statement might be that Polk County isnt used to losing non-conference matchups.
Cherokee snapped the Wolveriness 26-game non-conference winning streak on Friday night.
The Wolverines couldnt overcome four turnovers, three of which were transformed into touchdowns by the Braves, en route to a 21-18 victory.
The first drive of each team set the tone of the game.
In Polks first drive of the game, quarterback Jordan Ollis was dropped for a two-yard loss. The following play, tailback Taryl Simpson fumbled.
The Braves took over on their own 30-yard line and proceeded to give the Wolverines a dose of Don Craig. Craig continually pounded the middle of Polks defense all night. His night, that included 105 yards rushing with a touchdown and 30 yards receiving with a touchdown, began with 30 yards on the ground and a touchdown in Cherokees first drive.
The Wolveriness next drive was stunted by another turnover. The Braves then capitalized on a Ollis interception after a 5-yard run by quarterback Josh Queen.
Polk County found a ray of light with 1:46 left in the first quarter. Lashon LT Twitty recovered a Queen fumble.
This time, the Braves paid for the turnover. Polk tailback Clint Farina ran for 11 yards on the first play. Ollis followed with a 14-yard pass to Kamron Kerr. And then the multi-quarterback system came into play for the Wolverines.
J.P. Ruth checked in at quarterback and scrambled for a 65-yard touchdown.
Polk forced the Braves to punt on their next posssession. Ollis handed off to Kerr on the first play of the drive. Kerr gobbled up nine yards on the run. Ollis hit Andre Overholt for seven yards on the next play.
And then the quarterback switcheroo continued. Ruth came back in under center and found the same results. The Polk quarterback scrambled and dove into the endzone after a 41-yard run.
On the first play from scrimmage on Cherokees next drive, the Braves were set to steal the wind from Polks sails.
Craig was galloping towards the endzone as he broke the through the Wolverine defense. Polk defenders, however, didnt give up on the play. Kerr chased Craig down and knocked the ball loose on the two-yard line. Ruth, who was trailing the play, dove atop the ball and the Wolverines took over on the two.
But both Polk and Cherokees offenses stalled for the rest of the second quarter. The Wolverines trailed at the half 14-12.
The Wolverines seemed primed to take control of the ball game at the start of the third quarter. Overholt intercepted the ball on Cherokees first play of the half.
The Wolverines took over on their own 19-yard line. After a three-yard run by Ollis, he connected with Overholt with an 11-yard pass.
On third and goal, Ruth again stepped behind center and threw a five-yard pass to Ollis with 9:44 to go in the third quarter.
With 5:15 to go in the third quarter, the Braves defense again took the ball from the Wolverines. The interception resulted in a drive capped by a 30-yard touchdown reception by Craig.
I thought we played hard, Ollis said after the game. We continued to compete till the bitter end. The coaches will go back to the drawing board. Were gonna get better.
The Wolverines will play at R.S. Central on Friday night at 7:30 p.m.