Ashford, Ala. – Charles Henderson improved to 6-2 on the season and extended its win streak to five with a dominating 49-6 victory over Ashford High School on Friday.

Despite losing starting running back Courtney Downing to a head injury in the Trojans first drive, Charles Henderson racked up 262 yards on the ground including a 97-yard touchdown run by Ernest Downing in the fourth quarter.

“Courtney will be alright. He got a little banged up, but we’ll get him healthy before sending him back out there,” Charles Henderson coach Mike Dean said after the game.

Downing returned from the locker room to the Trojans sideline in street clothes after halftime.

Courtney led Charles Henderson down the field on the Trojans first drive rushing for 54 yards on seven carries. Quarterback Austin Ingram capped the drive with a 1-yard scoring plunge to put Charles Henderson ahead, 7-0.

After Ashford went three-and-out and shanked a punt, Ingram found Kenyatte Jones in the post for a 29-yard scoring strike.

Ashford, who opened the game with a 15-play drive that ate 8 minutes off the clock before turning the ball over on downs, scored its only points on a 32-yard screen pass with 8:09 to go in the second quarter. The Yellow Jackets scoring drive was assisted by a questionable roughing the passer penalty on a half back pass.

Ernest Downing would score the first of two touchdowns on the ground with 5:15 left in the half on a 2-yard run. Downing set up the score with a 42-yard scamper earlier in the drive.

Ernest Downing would finish the game with 167 yards rushing. He would also score on a 80-yard reception on a pass from Ingram in the fourth quarter to give Charles Henderson the 49-6 advantage.

Ingram threw for 198 yards and was 9-for-17 with three touchdowns through the air. He also rushed for a score.

“I’m proud of the way the guys played tonight,” Dean said. “Obviously, we can improve in some areas, but we’re starting to see more consistent play and we’re practicing better and better each week.”

The Trojans will travel to take on winless Bullock County next week to round out the region slate. Charles Henderson will host Eufaula to complete regular season schedule on Nov. 2.