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OZARK, AL – Charles Henderson High stunned Carroll High of Ozark Friday night with a 24-19 win over the Eagles, giving the Trojans their first win of the season.

The game was played on the road at Matthews Stadium on campus of Carroll High, and was Homecoming for the Eagles. With the win, CHHS improves to 1-6 overall and 1-4 in Class 5A, Region 2 competition, while Carroll falls to 3-4 and 3-2 in the region.

Coach Brad McCoy was very happy for his team and coaching staff after a season with many challenges that found them without a win entering Friday’s contest.

“It got a little bit close there at the end than what we would have liked, but I was extremely proud for those kids and our community,” said Coach McCoy. “It took longer than expected, but a win is a win and I am so proud for them and our coaches. They are very capable. We just had to believe in what we should be able to do and how we should play.
“We had to keep our nose to the grind and keep practicing and keep playing and we have been hoping things would go our way, and it did tonight. The defense accounted for one score, but our offense did a good job of mixing it up. Zach Coleman and the other running backs did a fine job. He ran the ball hard and put one in there near the end and I am very proud of all of them.”

The Trojans looked like a different team Friday evening, playing inspired, aggressive football, and keeping the Eagles in long yardage situations on offense most of the night.

It was CHHS that got on the board first when freshman corner back Jywon Boyd scooped up a loose Carroll fumble and raced 43 yards down the left sideline for a touchdown, Landen Holley kicked the extra point and it was 7-0 Trojans with 7:00 remaining in the first quarter.

Carroll cut the lead to 7-6 with 4:07 remaining in the first period when David Minniefield scored a touchdown on an 8-yard carry, and the extra point attempt was not successful.

Senior quarterback Cam Foley found Boyd open in the end zone for an 11-yard TD pass play with 2:50 remaining in the first half, Holley kicked again, and it was 14-6 CHHS.

The Trojans tacked three more points on the board before the half when they drove to the Carroll 26, and Holley launched a 43-yard field goal and the Trojans led 17-6 at the half.

The Eagles scored a touchdown with 9:15 remaining in the third when Jkwon Cooper went in from the 3, the try for two was no good, and it was 17-12 CHHS.

Defensively, CHHS was in the Carroll backfield all night, and in the early minutes of the fourth quarter the Eagles found themselves punting out of their own end zone. A heavy rush forced the kicker to hurry his punt, it was low and short, and CHHS recovered at the Carroll 15. One play later, Coleman, a freshman running back, bulled his way in from 15 yards out and the touchdown, Holley kicked again and it was 23-12 with 7:57 left in the contest.

Carroll quarterback Keyshawn Cole hit Takoda McLeod for a 12-yard touchdown reception with 1:34 left in the game, and the score was 24-19. The onside kick was recovered by CHHS, and the Trojans ran out the clock to preserve the victory.

Coleman unofficially led CHHS in rushing with 103 yards on the night.

The Trojans are on the road at Headland next Friday night, while Carroll of Ozark is at Andalusia.