By Dan Smith

Tuskegee, AL. – Junior wide receiver Nick Lewis hauled in three Austin Ingram touchdown receptions as Charles Henderson High manhandled Booker T. Washington of Tuskegee Friday night, 50-6, securing a Class 5A playoff berth for the Trojans.

Lewis had touchdown receptions of 35, 34, and 45 yards for 141 receiving yards and three touchdowns, while Ingram was 10 of 14 for 153 yards in passing.

Senior running back Mondaris Dixon also rushed for 116 yards and two TD’s on seven carries.

The Trojans, 7-2 on the year, secured second place in Class 5A, Region 2, and will host Class 6A Northview of Dothan this upcoming Friday to conclude the regular season before hosting the first round of the Class 5A state playoffs, Nov. 7 in Troy’s Veterans Memorial Stadium against an opponent to be determined.

“It certainly is gratifying to know the way we started the season, and how we are finishing the season,” said first year CHHS Head Coach Brad McCoy. “Winning six straight is nice. I’m very proud of our guys, and the coaching staff has done an excellent job. The players I think are in the right position right now as we get ready for the playoffs, and it’s nice to play the first round at home. Again, you had to handle your business in region play to make that happen, and we did not win the region, but again we are playing at home in the first round.”

CHHS quickly scored when Booker T. was forced to punt on their first possession, and CHHS junior defender Omari Vaughans broke through to block a punt, scooped up the loose ball and ran in 15 yards for the touchdown. The extra point by Ben Salmon was good, and the Trojans led 7-0 with 9:35 remaining in the first quarter.

The Golden Eagles punted again on their next series, and four plays later Ingram ran the ball in from 5 yards out, and Salmon’s kick put the Trojans up 14-0 with 6:24 to play in the first quarter.

On the Trojans’ next series Ingram connected with Lewis for a 35-yard touchdown pass play, capping a 53-yard scoring drive. Salmon again was automatic with the extra point and CHHS led 21-0 at the 2:55 mark in the first quarter.

The Trojan defense was relentless on the night, and senior linebacker and Auburn commitment Richard McBryde recovered a fumble on the next Booker T. series, setting the Trojans up at the Golden Eagle 16.

Two plays later senior running back Dixon ran the ball in from 11 yards out, and the Trojans surprised Booker T. with a 2-point conversion attempt, as Ingram connected with Reilly Fox for a 29-0 lead with 1:57 remaining in the first period.

CHHS went ahead 36-0 on their next possession, as Ingram again connected with Lewis, this time from 34 yards away, and Salmon’s kick was good with 11:48 to go in the first half.

Booker T. Washington scored their touchdown midway of the second quarter when quarterback Lewis O’neal completed a Erik Pennington, for a 10-yard Golden Eagle touchdown. The two-point attempt was no good, and CHHS lead 36-6, and that score stood at halftime.

The Trojans added another touchdown on their opening possession of the third quarter when Dixon lined up in the wildcat formation, took the snap and busted loose for a 69-yard TD run up the middle.

The kick was good and CHHS led 43-6 with 11:00 to go in the third.

The Trojans scored their final touchdown in the third quarter when Ingram hit Lewis again for a touchdown pass, this time from 45 yards out, and Connor Adler drilled the PAT for a 50-6 CHHS lead.

Booker T. fell to 1-8 on the season with the loss.

CHHS will continue to work to refine their game before their first playoff contest, with a big test against Northview to end the regular season.

“We are playing up again in classification against Northview, they have a great quarterback, a great running back, and great players on this football team,” McCoy said. “I have a lot of respect for Coach (LaBrian) Stewart, I have a lot of respect for their program, and he does an excellent job. We’re going to have our hands full.”