Sports Editor

Jerry Beverly and Buddy Austin rank second and third on Charles Henderson’s career rushing totals and in 1979 both players were able to eclipse the 1,000-yard barrier.

Beverly finished that year with 1,028 yards, while Austin was the team’s leader with 1,156.

On Nov. 2, 1979, the Trojans hosted Pike County for homecoming and it was Beverly who did the most damage to the Bulldogs, contributing 161 yards rushing to CHHS’s 294 yards total offense. Austin made his mark on the scoreboard, with three touchdowns in the 28-13 win.

Troy had six fumbles in the game, but it was a pair of Pike County turnovers that gave the Trojans a big early lead that the visitors could not overcome.

Austin capped off an 80-yard first quarter drive by CHHS with a one-yard plunge into the endzone. The Trojans’ first score was answered by the Bulldogs’ Michael Boyd, who scored from five-yards out to tie the game up at 7-7 early.

Troy turned the ball over on its next possession and Pike County was driving deep inside Trojan territory when Pat Johnson picked off a pass and returned it to the Bulldogs’ 36. Barry Tucker turned a fourth and goal situation into a three-yard touchdown for Charles Henderson, putting the home team up 14-7.

On their next possession following the kickoff, Pike County fumbled the ball and it was recovered by CHHS’s Paul Shiver. Austin turned that Bulldogs miscue into a seven-yard touchdown run.

Following halftime, Austin would add his third touchdown of the evening, this time from three-yards out, as Troy went up 28-7.

Pike County had a 76-yard drive on their next possession, with Johnny Jones scoring on a 5-yard run for the Bulldogs.

Pike County had 172 yards in the game.

Johnson, Greg Barnette and Tyrone Jones all had interceptions for Charles Henderson.

Austin finished out his career at CHHS in 1979 with 2,542 yards total yards in three years. The Trojans finished the year at 8-2.

However, the next season would bring CHHS the ultimate prize in high school football – a state title. In his senior year, Beverly would rush for 1,323 yards and score 12 touchdowns as the Trojans went a perfect 13-0 in 1980, beating Hartselle 14-7 in the championship game.

Beverly had 2,623 yards in his career.