Zack Gibson and the South-Doyle Cherokees took on the Carter Hornets in a TSSAA Region 2-4A clash on Eblen Field on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026, in Strawberry Plains, Tennessee. South-Doyle won 34-14. (Photo by Danny Parker)
BY MATTHEW LUTEY
STRAWBERRY PLAINS — Zack Gibson was a longtime assistant looking for a good landing spot to lead a team of his own.
The South-Doyle football team was filled with experienced players, but looking for some stability at the top after going through two coaches in a three-year span.
If there was a preps edition of the Match Game, Gibson and the Cherokees would be winning, just like they did on Friday at Carter by a score of 34-14 to improve to 4-0 this season.
Ray Varner Ford in Clinton, Tenn., is the proud supporter of all 5Star Preps football stories during the 2026 season.
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