COOKEVILLE, Tenn- The Greenback Cherokees were in search of redemption from last year’s runner-up finish, but the Dresden Lions proved too much offensively scoring 62 points in a 62-27 win.

Greenback started off strong converting a touchdown on the opening drive from Kayne Roberts. The Cherokees lead 13-6 after one quarter. In the second quarter, Hunter Willis from Greenback fired deep to Tylor Jones for a 45-yard touchdown pass.

Dresden turned up the heat as Dylan Yates put the Lions up 34-27 going into the locker room at the half. The Lions showed no signs of slowing down and a huge second-half performance sealed the deal as they took the DI Class 1A State Championship.

Despite the loss, Cherokee’s co-head coach Brent Kilpatrick was proud of this team. “It says a lot about our program we were able to get here back to back years,” he said. “Definitely not the result we wanted to have but hats off to Dresden.