Sports Writer

GREENVILLE – Only one team could stop the Charles Henderson Middle School offense Thursday night. That was the Charles Henderson Middle School offense.

After turning the ball over on the first two drives of the game, deep in Greenville territory, the Trojans scored on five of their next six drives, including 20 points in the second quarter en route to a 32-14 victory over the Tigers in an eighth grade game at Greenville.

"We made a couple mistakes, but fortunately it was early in the game and they didn’t cost us," Charles Henderson eighth grade coach Forrest Lee said.

The Trojans opened the game driving to the Greenville 16 yard line, but a fumble ended the threat

and gave the ball to the Tigers at their own 21.

The Tigers gambled on fourth down, but Martesi Carlisle broke up the pass attempt and CHMS was in business again at the Greenville 25.

But on the ensuing play, Carlisle was intercepted at the 4 yard line and another scoring opportunity had been squandered.

After the Tigers failed to convert another fourth down, the Trojans finally took advantage of the great field position when Anthony Terry bolted into the endzone from 2 yards out for a 6-0 lead. Carlisle hit Quavian Lewis with the two point conversion and the Trojans had an 8-0 lead early in the second quarter.

The second quarter eruption was just beginning. Mickey Croswell intercepted a pass on the opening play of the next Tiger possession and CHMS took over at their own 31 yard line. One play later, the Trojans use a play action pass and Carlisle found Lewis wide open near the sidelines and 63 yards later, CHMS had a 14-0 lead.

"That play gave us the momentum we needed, " Lee said. "The way we had been running the football set up the pass play and kind of put us over the hump."

The Trojans weren’t done as Chris Rhodes cashed in from the three yard line to cap the second quarter scoring show and give CHMS a 20-0 halftime lead.

The Trojans defense didn’t waste any time getting the ball back to their high-powered offense in the second half. After a 16 yard run by Tiger quarterback Randy Faulk, Arsenio Maxwell took the next hand-off and appeared headed for a first down and more. But Maxwell was stripped of the ball and CHMS recovered at their own 47 yard line. Terry busted loose with a 32 yard run and capped the drive with another two yard touchdown plunge for a 26-0 lead.

Carlisle finished off the Tigers with a five yard touchdown run on fourth and goal with 5:32 left in the game.

Greenville would get on the board with two touchdowns late in the game for the final margin.

"We controlled the action on both sides of the ball, especially on the defensive side, they couldn’t do a whole lot against us tonight," Lee said. "The defense gave us the ball in great position. The whole defensive unit played well."

Lee also gave credit to his offensive line.

"I can’t say enough about our offensive line. They helped set the tone for us tonight."

The seventh grade squad lost a heartbreaker, 8-6, surrendering a touchdown and two point conversion in the final two minutes.

With the Trojans holding a 6-0 lead late in the second half, Greenville quarterback Randy Crowell broke loose for 48 yards and a touchdown to end the shutout and give the Tigers a chance for the win. Greenville put the ball in the hands of Crowell again on the two point conversion attempt. Crowell sprinted left, broke a tackle, cut back right and raced into the endzone for the lead.

"That has been the story all year, one play beats us," Charles Henderson seventh grade coach Robin Snyder said. "It seems like we let down for one play and the other team takes advantage of it, but we are learning and that is the important thing. We are developing and these kids are getting a chance to play and that is all that matters."

The Trojans jumped out to a 6-0 lead on a 10 yard run by Jhakenda Fayson with 3:59 left in the first half. Fayson highlighted the CHMS offensive effort with 110 yards on the ground.

Brandon Hill and Clay Helms each had interceptions to lead the defense.

The CHMS Trojans will conclude their season Thursday night against Andalusia at home.