OZARK – Charles Henderson High got back on the winning track with a 28-18 win over Carroll High of Ozark Friday night on the road, improving their record to 3-3 overall, but more importantly, improving to 3-1 in the Class 5A, Region 2 standings.

With three regular season games remaining, two of those games are against Region 2 opponents Tallassee in Troy next Friday and then on the road to Valley.

When mentioned after the game that the win over Carroll puts the Trojans in position for a region playoff berth, CHHS Head Coach Brad McCoy clarified the statement, saying his team was in it for more than that.

“We are in the hunt for the region title,” said McCoy. “There’s a little bit of difference in that, and that is what we are reminding our guys of every day. It’s going to take two big wins, against Tallassee and Valley to make that happen, but it is certainly a vision and a goal of ours. We’ve got to clean up the mistakes and move on to face Tallassee.”

Friday’s win was a step in the right direction, as the Trojans came out swinging.

“One of our goals was to start the game faster, and we certainly did that,” said McCoy. “We were able to put 21 points up and the defense was able to add a late score in the first half. I was disappointed we did not get points in the second half, but the defense played well enough to secure the win. That’s all that matters. This is the second time we have gone on the road, first at Beauregard and now Ozark, and came away with a region win. It’s always something to be proud of.”

CHHS took the opening kickoff and moved 57 yards in four plays for a touchdown, as junior slot receiver Elijah Caldwell raced 25 yards to the Carroll 18, before senior running back Jonathan Carter ran three consecutive plays, the last carry for 5 yards, for a touchdown and a 7-0 lead thanks to a Hayden Bush extra point.

Carter scored his second touchdown of the night on the next possession, a 29-yard burst around right end, Bush kicked again and it was 14-0 with 5:12 to play in the first quarter.

CHHS quarterback Pooka Jones connected with Jay Taylor for a 47-yard gain down to the Ozark 11, and three plays later found senior tight end Barton Hicks to his left open for a 10-yard touchdown pass, Bush kicked again and it was 21-0 CHHS with 9:40 to play in the first half.

Carroll High cut the lead to 21-3 on the next series when Chase Wolff hit a 27-yard field goal with 7:10 to play in the second quarter.

The Eagles had the ball with less than a minute in the first half, and on second and seven from their own 30, a handoff was fumbled and CHHS inside linebacker E’Keystan Hill scooped the ball up and raced 30 yards for a touchdown, Bush kicked for the fourth time and it was 28-3 at the half.

Carroll took the second half kickoff and moved 58 yards in six plays for a touchdown, as Willie Burks raced 25 yards for the score, Wolff kicked again and it was 28-10 CHHS with 10:00 remaining in the third quarter.

Quarterback Brandon Robinson added a touchdown for Carroll to open the fourth quarter, the Eagles went for two points, with Robinson taking it in to make the score 28-18 with 11:50 to play in the contest, which held up to be the final score.

Carter led CHHS with 105 yards on 25 carries and two touchdowns, while Jones was 13 of 21 for 160 yards and on TD.

CHHS will host Tallassee this upcoming Friday night in Troy while Carroll is at Beauregard.

Entering Friday night’s games, Valley was 4-0 in the region, Rehobeth was 3-1, CHHS was 2-1, Greenville was fourth at 2-2, Tallassee was 1-2 while Carroll and Beauregard were each 0-3.

Tallassee defeated Rehobeth Friday evening 21-6 to make Rehobeth 3-2 in the region.