BAY MINETTE – Although the final regular season game for Charles Henderson High ended with a 20-14 loss to Class 6A Baldwin County Friday night, the Trojans played an inspired contest and showed improvements in many aspects, as they shift their focus to the first round of the playoffs slated for next Friday at Faith Academy of Mobile.

CHHS led at one point 14-7 in the third quarter before the Tigers of Baldwin County rallied for two fourth-quarter scores.

“I thought It was a good football game,” said CHHS Head Coach Brad McCoy. “We wish we had some of those mistakes back that we made – we had way too many turnovers right there at the end of the game – but our players played really good and had every opportunity to win. We fought back. I think we did make some strides from last week and hopefully that will carry over to Faith Academy.”

The Trojans end the regular season at 4-5, while Baldwin County improved to 4-6 with the win.

After a scoreless first quarter, the Trojans were the first to get on the board when senior running back Tyrell Jones had a 7-yard gain to the Baldwin County five, and took the ball again on the next play for a touchdown and a 7-0 lead, with the extra point good by Hayden Bush.

The Tigers answered with a 75-yard drive, with running back James Stanley taking it in from one yard for the TD. Tony LiCaizi kicked the extra point to tie the score at 7-7 with 1:29 left in the first half.

CHHS took a 14-7 lead with 5:38 to go in the third quarter when Jonathan Carter exploded up the middle for a 21-yard carry, Bush kicked and it was 14-7.

The Tigers tied the score on their first possession of the fourth quarter on a 5-yard carry by Stanley, and the extra point made it 14-14 with 10:01 to go in the contest.

Facing third-and-seven late in the game, CHHS tried a pass play but Keyon Palmer picked off a Pooka Jones throw and returned it seven yards for a touchdown. The extra point was blocked and the score was 20-14 with 5:03 left in the fourth quarter, which held up to be the final score.

Although CHHS players and coaches had to be disappointed with the loss, McCoy said in many ways it was about getting ready for next week’s first-round playoff game, and improving in all phases of the game.

“I think we did show signs of improvement on both sides of the football from last week, but I think the biggest improvement was in the discipline category,” said McCoy. “That is where we need to work on the most. Like I told our guys, it is not about X’s and O’s, but rather we have got to keep our head in the game, and they did that tonight. Playing Faith next week is going to be a big challenge. We have got to have a great week of practice. Every day is going to be huge, starting on Sunday.”

CHHS was led in rushing by Carter with 69 yards on 13 carries, Tyrell Jones gained 34 yards on only five carries with a touchdown, while Pooka Jones was 12 of 26 in passing for 124 yards.

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