Sports Editor

Pike County’s rushing attack was virtually non-existent against Charles Henderson on Oct. 25, 1991, but the Bulldogs used three big plays to knock off the Trojans in the second half, 24-12.

The win by PCHS was the Bulldogs fourth straight over their rivals. It was also the last time head coach Wayne Grant would face the Trojans until he returned to Brundidge in the spring of 1999. Grant left Pike County prior to the 1992 season.

Charles Henderson was up 10-3 at the half, but the Bulldogs, held to just 37 yards rushing in the game, went to the air quickly and efficiently. Bulldogs’ quarterback Doug Holland exposed the Trojans’ secondary with two big pass plays and Tim Taylor returned a punt 45-yards for another score as Pike County rolled in the second half of play.

Holland was 4-of-9 on the night for 146 yards and two touchdowns. The first was to Tracy Williams and covered 90 yards. Following Taylor’s punt return which put the Bulldogs up 17-10, Holland went to the air again and found Clifford Rodgers for 37 yards and the touchdown.

Pike County finished with 173 total yards of offense, but held CHHS to just 62 yards in the game, all of which came on the ground. The Trojans were unable to complete a pass. Each team had just five first downs in the contest.

Placekicker Jason Ming got Pike County on the board first with a 37-yard field goal with 5:33 left in first.

Troy responded by turning two Bulldogs’ turnovers into scores to take the halftime lead.

Shane Griffin pounced on PCHS fumble on the Bulldogs’ next possession and Morgan Ingram answered Ming’s field goal with one of his own to tie the game at 3-3.

Another fumble by Pike County led to a six play, 44-yard drive by CHHS, culminating in a one-yard touchdown run by tailback Cencade Pennington.

Each school would make the playoffs at the end of the season. After an 0-2 start, CHHS would beat Greenville 6-0 in the final game of the regular season to advance into the Class 5A state playoffs. The Trojans would win a double overtime thriller over Atmore 13-10, but fall to Blount 28-7 in the next round and end their year at 7-5.

Pike County would win two straight Class 4A playoff games over Ashford and Thomasville, but fall to old nemesis T.R. Miller 36-22 in the third round. The Bulldogs were down 29-0 after the first half, but came back in the second, falling just short of the win.

PCHS finished Grant’s final year in 1991 at 10-3.