The time for preparation is over, now it’s time to play the games. After 10 weeks of regular season football, the playoffs have arrived. Charles Henderson took advantage of their scenario and began game-planing for No. 6 Thomasville several weeks ago.

The Trojans (7-3) knew several week ago that they would be the No. 3 seed in Class 4A Region 2. They also knew that Thomasville (8-2) would be their likely opponent. The biggest advantage to that knowledge is it gave the Charles Henderson coaching staff extra time to prepare for the Tigers potent triple option attack.

“The offense is the strength of Thomasville’s team,” said. Charles Henderson head coach Mike Dean. “They run it well. We’ve got to get them in second and long and third and long. We’ve got to get them out of their comfort zone.”

The Trojans intensified their option drills, which they implemented during the offseason, in past weeks. Dean said part of the coach’s routine is to look several weeks ahead on the schedule in an effort to better prepare for a team like Thomasville.

“If you start working on the triple option the week of the game, you’re setting yourself up for failure,” Dean said. “It’s something you have to start working on weeks in advance.”

Thomasville is no stranger to the big stage of the AHSAA postseason. Over the past ten seasons the Tigers have advanced to the Class 4A semifinals four times and the championship game twice, winning one in 2010.

“This is a typical Thomasville team. They are sound, well coached, they play hard and they’ve been there before,” Dean said. “They’ve held that blue (state championship) trophy and they’re hungry for another one”

The Trojans come in looking to take advantage of a Thomasville defense that is allowing more than 19 points per game. The unit has surrendered 20 or more points in five game this season.

“They’ve given up some points this year at times, but it looks like they’ve peaked heading into the playoffs,” Dean said.

For more insight on Thomasville, visit www.troymessenger.com/category/sports/charles-high for an exclusive audio interview with Thomasville Times editor Arthur McLean.