CCSD Senior Bowl Raises Funds For St. Jude's Hospital

WOODSTOCK, GA -- The Cherokee County School District class of 2018 football players, cheerleaders, marching band and JROTC held a last hurrah under the high school gridiron lights last week, as seniors from the system's six high schools came together for the 2017 Varsity Brands Senior Bowl to benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

The senior bowl was held Dec. 7 at River Ridge High School in Woodstock. Cherokee High School Head Coach Josh Shaw led the Red team, comprised of players from Cherokee, Woodstock and River Ridge high schools, while Etowah High School Head Coach Dave Svelah led the Royal team, made up of seniors from Etowah, Creekview and Sequoyah high schools.

The Royal team prevailed 22-20 on a frosty night at River Ridge's stadium. At halftime, six students were presented scholarships from Premier Sponsor Shottenkirk Chrysler Dodge Jeep & Ram of Canton. The recipients were: Allyson Bethke, Sequoyah HS; Landon Dixon, Woodstock HS; Cheney Hardin, Cherokee HS; Yolimar Rivera, Woodstock HS; Christopher Cochran, River Ridge HS; and Elizabeth Anderson, Woodstock HS (Elizabeth's scholarship was given in the memory of WHS Junior Maddi Phillips, who died in a car accident earlier this year. Phillip's family was present to help award the scholarship to Elizabeth).

Another highlight of halftime was the grand prize drawing of a fundraiser raffle held this fall sponsored by Shottenkirk Chrysler Dodge Jeep & Ram of Canton. Schools sold tickets for $5 each for a chance to win a 2017 Dodge Ram 1500 Truck valued at $48,700 donated by Shottenkirk Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Canton. The truck was donated for the fundraiser, giving schools the possibility of raising $200,000.

Shortly before the drawing, General Manager David Booth announced that the truck would actually be a 2018 model. Jay Jump with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital drew the winning ticket, which belonged to Kathy Kudla and was sold by Sequoyah's band. Kathy was not at the game, so Booth called her on his cell phone from the field to congratulate her on her brand new truck.

Images via Cherokee County School District