Cherokee Braves Set 2025 Football Schedule, Move to 2-A in NCHSAA Realignment

After a second-round playoff run in 2024, Cherokee transitions into a new 1A/2A super conference as part of North Carolina’s expanded eight-class system

The Cherokee Braves are set to challenge a new classification in 2025. / Cherokee Braves Football

Cherokee has set its 2025 football schedule as the Braves take a different path due to the most recent NCHSAA realignment in North Carolina.

The NCHSAA doubled the number of classifications from four to eight. As a result, Cherokee is moving up from 1-A to 2-A. The Braves are coming off a 7-5 season that saw them reach the second round of the state playoffs.

Realignment also means Cherokee is now part of a split 1-A/2-A super conference that has 12 schools. Joining the Braves will be Andrews (1-A), Blue Ridge Early College (1-A), Highlands (1-A), Hiwassee Dam (1-A), Nantahala (1-A), Robbinsville (1-A), Rosman (1-A), Summit Charter (1-A), Tri-County Early College (1-A), Hayesville (2-A), Murphy (2-A) and Swain County (2-A). Hiwassee Dam, Nantahala, Summit Charter, Blue Ridge Early College, Tri-County Early College and Highlands don’t have football teams. 

Murphy, Robbinsville, Hayesville, Andrews, and Swain County were all in the Smoky Mountain 1-A Conference the last four years, so it will be the same conference for football going forward other than the split classifications.

Here is the schedule:

Aug. 22 – North Buncombe

Aug. 29 – Tuscola

Sept. 5 – at Choctaw Central (Mississippi)

Sept. 12 – at Enka

Sept. 19 – Rosman

Sept. 26 – Murphy

Oct. 3 – at Hayesville

Oct. 17 – at Swain County

Oct. 24 – at Andrews

Oct. 31 - Robbinsville