As Charles Henderson picks up the pieces from an 0-2 start in region play head coach Mike Dean is taking a different approach heading into this week’s match with Alabama Christian. He’s looking to the underclassmen for leadership.

“We got all the juniors, sophomores and freshmen together and told them that this was their team,” Dean said. “We’re not going to wait until January to start over. We’re going to fix it, fix it now and win.”

The Trojans fell to Tallassee on a field goal on the game’s final play. After watching the game film, Dean says the mistakes he saw are correctable, but only if the players are willing to correct them.

“We’re pushing some guys that need to be playing, some younger guys,” he said. “We’re losing first down on both sides of the ball. You’ve got to win first down on offense just as much as you do on defense.”

Against Tallassee, Charles Henderson allowed seven runs to go for 12 yards or more on first down.

“We can’t allow that,” said Dean. “We’ve got to get them in second-and-long.”

16 of Charles Henderson’s 22 starter are juniors or sophomores, so Dean is turning the team over to the majority.

“It’s their team now,” he said. “If we’ve going to turn this thing around it’s going to be with those guys.”

The Trojans feel like they are one or two plays away from being 3-0, but have let turnovers and penalties cost them late in games.

Charles Henderson now turns its attention to Alabama Christian, who is also 1-2 on the season.

The Eagles have lost to Elmore County and Ashford this season while knocking off region foe Headland to stand at 1-1 in region play.

“They’re (Alabama Christian) are going to do what they do,” Dean said. “They’re going to run the football at you and when we fall asleep and don’t take care of your responsibility, they’ll hurt you.”

Charles Henderson will travel to Montgomery to face the Eagles. It marks the third road game of the early season for the Trojans, who will then play three consecutive home games.

Game time is set for 7 p.m. from Eagles Stadium.