Cherokee Braves 2026 Season Preview

<p><em>Not a subscriber? Promo code Helms30 will get you 30% off your first billing cycle. Coaches, if you want your team featured in a team preview, <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeB9YBH_he_sOP-lhvI26XRh0P9vobS8PsVJy_5QCJ4jQLTvQ/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=118251332469799088451">fill out our preseason survey</a>. </em></p>   <p>It's team preview season here at Prep Redzone, and we're in the process of breaking down teams in every classification across the state. Several teams saw coaching changes, and yet also have plenty of returning veteran players. The Cherokee Braves are one of those teams, and they look like a team in western North Carolina that could make a dark horse run in the 2A class.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Cherokee Braves 2026 Season Preview</h2>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Key Info</h3>   <p><strong>Head Coach: </strong>TC Guyer (First Season)</p>   <p><strong>2025 Record:</strong> 3-8</p>   <p><strong>2026 Conference:</strong> Smoky Mountain 1A/2A</p>   <p><strong>Key Games: </strong>vs. Hayesville (10/2), vs. Swain County (10/16), @ Robbinsville (10/30)</p>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Key Storyline</h3>   <p>When projecting forward, Cherokee's 2025 record is extremely misleading. This is a new coaching staff, but even without that, there are plenty of reasons to think the Braves will be better in 2026. </p>   <p>In that 3-8 record, the Braves lost all three one-score games, losing a fourth-quarter lead in the fourth. Those tend to be a bit random, unless a particular team is snake-bit. Either way, the Braves were better than their record indicated last year, and they return 12 starters, including most of the key contributors.</p>   <p>Finally, though the teams on the schedule remain the same, there are several opponents that lose a ton of talent. Flip a game or two, and Cherokee should finish with a much better record.</p>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Potential Stars</h3>    <p class="text-gray-700">Ledford is the team's best overall defender and a stout pass rusher. He also has the athleticism, even at his size, to contribute on offense at the tight end position. He played a lot on the interior of the defensive line last year, but could move outside, where his power and bend should help him beat tackles.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Welch has great vision and lateral agility, able to adjust when plays aren't perfectly blocked. He made a ton of big plays last season, running for just over six yards a carry and 100 yards per game. The Braves will rely heavily on the senior this season, and a strong season could help put them near the top of the conferen</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Tramper is a well-rounded interior defender who can play nose tackle, but he still racked up solid numbers last season. He's undersized, but due to his high-level wrestling background, he's able to bully offensive linemen and muddy pockets. He's not a high-volume sack artist, but he disrupts passers, and he excelled against the run last year.</p>    <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Biggest Losses</h3>   <p><strong>Javan Garcia</strong> | WR: The Braves' top receiver last season, Garcia put up over 700 yards and leaves a big void in the passing game. It will be up to guys like <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2242092' first='Tsula' last='Howlingcrane']</strong> to step up in his absence.</p>   <p><strong>Charlie Swayney</strong> | LB: The Braves' leading tackler graduates, meaning there's more opportunity, but also more pressure on the middle of the defense. Swayney always seemed to be in the right place, so the new guys will need to fill that gap.</p>   <p><strong>Jonathan Saylor</strong> | QB: An excellent all-around athlete, Saylor played some quarterback and a lot of safety last year. The Braves have some young talent on the back end, so while they'll feel Saylor's loss, there's plenty of potential in that position group.</p>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Breakout Candidates</h3>    <p class="text-gray-700">Howlingcrane was second on the team in both receptions (23) and yards (376) last season. This year, he's the number one option on the outside, and he has a nice blend of size and speed. If he can take the next step in his development, the Braves will have some much-needed balance on offense. He's a standout track athlete whose teams have steadily improved this spring.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Panther wasn't a varsity contributor last season, but the staff feels great about the rising sophomore. A potential two-way starter in the future, Panther has some speed and a high football I.Q. The coaching staff is high on him and feels like he'll be a key part of the team in 2026.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Like McKyan, LJ has the chance to be a real contributor in 2026, especially as the Braves look to become more pass-heavy on offense. He's shifty and has game-breaking speed if he gets into the open field.</p>    <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Other Names To Know</h3>   <p><strong>Dawson Panther</strong> | QB</p>   <p><strong>Zaynon Taylor</strong> | OL/DL</p>   <p><strong>Nashoba Tushka</strong> | RB/DB</p>   <p><strong>Greyson Ledford</strong> | OL/DL</p>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">The Verdict</h3>   <p>Cherokee feels like a team that's building, even if it hasn't played its first game under the new coaching staff. Between the returning stars, a strong offseason in the weight room, and some better luck in close games, expect the Braves to be competitive in a difficult Smoky Mountain 1A/2A Conference.</p>   <p><em>A special thanks to Cherokee head coach TC Guyer for sharing his prospect sheet and thoughts on his team.</em></p>

Not a subscriber? Promo code Helms30 will get you 30% off your first billing cycle. Coaches, if you want your team featured in a team preview, fill out our preseason survey.