Holly Springs, Hickory Flat Student Athletes Prepare For Inaugural Senior Bowl

Photo: Red Team Coach Josh Shaw of Cherokee High School and White Team Coach Dave Svehla of Etowah High School with their teams after the recent ‘draft’ breakfast. Credit: Cherokee County School District

The Cherokee County School District’s high school football program is ready to kick off its inaugural Northside Hospital-Cherokee CCSD Senior Bowl on Friday, Dec. 5.

Senior football players from all of the district’s high schools recently gathered at River Ridge High School for the CCSD Senior Bowl Draft Breakfast, at which the head coaches announced their teams and sponsors were recognized.

Red Team Coach Josh Shaw of Cherokee High School and White Team Coach Dave Svehla of Etowah High School “drafted” their team from senior players throughout the county…with special match-ups planned including players from the same high schools facing off and twins split between teams.

Quarterbacks for the game are for the Red Team, Spencer Ashley of Cherokee High; and for the White Team, Justin Agner of Woodstock and Robby Knox of Etowah high schools A full roster is attached.

The football game – the first of its kind for the distrct – will honor senior football players, cheerleaders, marching band members and Junior ROTC cadets, while providing the community with an exciting event to celebrate the end of the season.

The game begins at 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 5 in the Etowah High School stadium. Tickets are $5 in advance or at the gate, which is less than the gate for regular season games; and the admission fee will be waived for anyone who brings a new, unwrapped toy that will be donated by the district to the Service League of Cherokee County’s Christmas Families program. Advance tickets are being sold by high school football Booster Clubs.

“Northside Hospital-Cherokee’s title sponsorship of this game is a continuation of our organization’s longtime, significant support of the School District’s academic, health and wellness and athletic activities,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Frank Petruzielo said. “The CCSD Senior Bowl recognizes the outstanding talent of our senior football players, cheerleaders, marching band musicians and Junior ROTC cadets… and the hard work they have put into their careers so far. The Senior Bowl also pays tribute to the support given to them by their teachers, coaches, directors, boosters, parents and families.”

In addition to title sponsor Northside Hospital-Cherokee, the event would not be possible without these additional sponsors:

• Gold sponsors: Ed Voyles Jeep Chrysler Dodge, Chick-fil A, Elite Sports and Herff-Jones
• Silver sponsors: Credit Union of Georgia, Steve Cannon State Farm Insurance, Cherokee County Sports Hall of Fame, JD’s Barbecue, Cherokee Gridiron Club, Protech Printing and Georgia Football Officials Association
• Bronze sponsors: Johnny’s NY-Style Pizza and Cherokee Youth Football Association

For information about tickets or sponsorship opportunities, please call Ron Dunnavant director of school operations, at 770-479-1871 or email ron.dunnavant@cherokee.k12.ga.us.