Sports Editor

It was current Charles Henderson head coach Hugh Fountain’s first year at CHHS and the Trojans were heading back to Brundidge for the first time since 1992.

The Bulldogs and the Trojans had played each other for the three seasons prior to Fountain’s arrival within the confines of Troy’s Memorial Stadium. Before the 1996 season, PCHS head coach Michael Beasley made it known he wanted the game returned to a home-and-home basis and the Trojans agreed.

Neither team was particularly impressive on the field that season. Both squads finished out the year at 3-7 with the Bulldogs making the Class 4A playoffs, only to be knocked out by Tallassee 34-14 in the first round.

But attendants of that match-up between the two schools on Oct. 25, 1996, witnessed one of the greatest games in a history of great games.

Pike County was leading 23-8 midway in the third quarter and seemingly had the game well in hand.

But what no one counted on was Fountain moving his Trojans’ offense into a two tight end set and playing smashmouth football.

Troy ran off 22 unanswered points to beat the Bulldogs on their home turf 30-23. CHHS fullback Bernard Cole did the most damage, rushing for a game-high 152 yards and two touchdowns, including the six-yard game winner with 1:18 remaining in the fourth quarter.

The Bulldogs opened early in the game by taking the lead on a six-yard run of their own by Shantez Walker, but Troy responded with a score of their own to tie the game at 6-6 on Courtney Williams’ 26-yard touchdown jaunt.

Terrion Reynolds put PCHS up 9-6 with a 31-yard field goal on the ‘Dogs next possession. Troy was unable to respond with their offense, but the Trojans’ defense came up with a safety at the 3:32 mark of the second quarter.

Quarterback Roddrice Griffin gave the Bulldogs an eight-point cushion with a four-yard TD pass to Reynolds before the first half came to a close.

Griffin put his team up 23-8 early in the third when he recovered a Troy fumble and returned it 36-yards for the touchdown.

Then the Trojans’ depth and size on the offensive line took over.

Bryant Smith took off for a 43-yard gain on third down to set up an 18-yard touchdown run by Williams. Cole then threw a pass to Smith for the two-point conversion and the Bulldogs were leading just 23-16.

Cole then found a hole for a 10-yard scoring run with 5:21 left in the game to tie it up on the scoreboard 23-23.

The Trojans took over at their own 25-yard line with 2:53 left and managed to drive within striking distance for Cole’s winning run.

The win by CHHS snapped a three game losing streak to Pike County.