No. 1 ranked Charles Henderson in search of area title, travels to Headland

Like any coach, Derek Irons wants to see his team win every game they play. But Irons, a calm, calculated head coach that always keeps the bigger picture in mind.

The Charles Henderson Trojans will begin to paint that bigger picture on Thursday afternoon as they open area play on the road at Headland High School.

“Obviously, that (area play) determines whether you go to the post-season or not,” said Irons. “We want to play well and compete in every game, but if want to have a chance to be champions, we have to get these six.”

The Trojans picked up a pair of blowout wins over lowly Bullock County three weeks ago, and now turns their attention to the meat of its area slate.

Charles Henderson swept through the area last year, but didn’t dominate like one might think.

Charles Henderson had to survive a couple of one-run games to win the area last year, and Irons expects the Rams and Yellow Jackets to present the same challenge in 2014.

“We know they are good teams, and we know that they are going to bring their best,” said Irons. “We see that from every team we play. I fully feel like we get everyone’s best effort. They will be up for us. They play the defending area and state champions at their home field. They will be ready to lay it all on the line.”

An area title in 2014 will be the third consecutive for Irons’ Trojans.

The area games are split between the schools, with one game being played at each school.

If needed, a tiebreaker third game is played immediately after the conclusion of the second game.

By traveling to Headland, and Ashford first, the Trojans have the luxury of knowing that if a doubleheader is necessary, the deciding games will be played in the friendly confines of Hogan’s Hole.

“It is good to know that if we need to play a game three, it will be at our place,” said Irons. “It not like the playoffs where you play the whole thing at one place. We want to take care of business in the first two, but we know we have that third game here.”

The Thursday game in Headland is set for a 5 p.m. first pitch.