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Cherokee Braves Make Gutsy Call in Overtime Thriller

Free News Reader  ·  September 5, 2026

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Cherokee Braves Make Gutsy Call in Overtime Thriller

  • Cherokee High School's football team, coached by TC Guyer, made a bold decision in Week 3 of the 2026 season, opting for a two-point conversion in overtime for the win.
  • Running back Kingston Welch, a senior in the 2027 class, scored a 3-yard touchdown in overtime, setting up the pivotal decision for Coach Guyer.

Full Summary — powered by AI

Week 3 of the 2026 Western North Carolina high school football season saw several close contests and notable performances, with one of the most talked-about moments coming from Cherokee High School.

In an overtime game, Cherokee’s head coach, TC Guyer, made a “gutsy decision” after running back Kingston Welch scored a 3-yard touchdown. Instead of kicking an extra point to tie the game, Coach Guyer, who is also a P.E. teacher at the school and began his tenure as head coach in 2026, asked his players if they wanted to go for a two-point conversion to win.

Kingston Welch, a senior running back listed at 5’9″ and 190 lbs on the 2026-2027 Cherokee football roster, has been a key player for the Braves. In their first game of the 2026 season, Cherokee secured a 66-60 victory over the North Buncombe Black Hawks, with Welch rushing for 208 yards and six touchdowns. His performance included a 58-yard dash, contributing to the team’s 275 total rushing yards in that game. Welch has been a prominent figure in Cherokee football, even being tagged in a game preview article in November 2025.

Other significant outcomes in Week 3 of WNC football included No. 9 Enka holding off No. 8 Pisgah. Many games went down to the wire, highlighting the competitive nature of the region’s high school football. MaxPreps provides live broadcasts, rankings, and statistical leaders for the 2026 North Carolina high school football season, which continued through early September.