Sports Editor

It’s been a long time coming.

All three public school systems in Pike County will be represented in the Alabama High School Athletic Association’s state football playoffs set to begin on Friday night.

Charles Henderson (7-2, 4-2) will travel to Stanhope-Elmore High School in Millbrook, Alabama and this will mark the first time since 1993 the Trojans have been able to entertain ideas of a possible Class 5A football title. After five years at Charles Henderson, head coach Hugh Fountain finally gets to see how his team performs in the playoffs.

 

CHHS Keys to Victory: Starting the road to Birmingham on the road is not a good idea.

But by losing close games to Region 2 champion Wilcox-Central and runner-up Hillcrest-Evergreen, the Trojans will initially have to do things the hard way. Amazingly, Fountain’s 2000 team lost to both Jaguar teams by a total of five points. One or two more big plays by the Trojans during the season and they could easily have been region champs.

Turnovers must be kept at a minimum against Stanhope and the CHHS offense has got to score early and often. If the Mustangs fall behind big early, their running game will be taken out of the contest, forcing them into a less-potent spread formation.

Pluses: Offense and lots of it. The running game didn’t generate much during last week’s game against Wilcox, but CHHS running back Terrill Smith (90 carries, 670 yards, 16 TDs) is a threat any time he gets the ball. Quarterback Kevin Stephens and receiver Will Jones have become consistent threats to put points on the board quickly and Trevon Hemphill (6-foot-4) is a receiver short cornerbacks have a hard time dealing with. The offensive line doesn’t allow that many sacks, but must be consistent when it comes to blocking for the running back triad of Smith, Felix Soloman and Jarvis Woods. Freshman placekicker Josh Post stepped forward after the Opp game and PAT attempts have become a sure thing.

Minuses: The Trojans’ defense has the speed to play with anybody, but size is lacking up front and the big offensive lines of Hillcrest and Wilcox were able to manhandle the smaller CHHS defenders. Stanhope is an option-orientated football team that likes to run. Against other option teams like Greenville, Carroll-Ozark and Andalusia, the Trojans played great, however Opp, in the first game of the year, gave Charles Henderson problems. Roderick Burden leads the Trojans’ secondary with five interceptions on the year, but if he and

his fellow defensive backs are making all the tackles, this game could turn into an offensive shoot out. Senior linebacker Lawrence Mosley (103 tackles) has the ability to block a punt every time the Mustangs drop back in that formation. He’s blocked five of them this year.

Friday: Pike County and Goshen