Sports Editor

CHHS head coach Hugh Fountain has had a problem with his defense this week.

The Trojans (8-2) have been preparing this week for an opening round playoff game against No. 8 McAdory (9-1), but the defense hasn’t been performing.

"Defensively, we haven’t had a good week of practice and that’s been disappointing because we’ve been explosive on defense all year long," Fountain said.

And the numbers don’t lie. The Trojans gave up just over seven points per game this season, but will be facing a McAdory passing attack that could present problems this Friday night.

"McAdory is plenty tough and where they really give us problems is that they’re totally different from Wilcox-Central," Fountain said. "Wilcox lines up and tries to overpower you. McAdory spreads you out. I said earlier this week that they remind me of ourselves and they do. But they’ve got about three or four wide outs that are as good as anybody we’ve got."

The defense’s problems may lie with the perplexity of the McAdory offensive scheme.

"I think we’re

a little confused about what McAdory is doing," said Fountain. "Of course, we’ve been practicing against two of our fastest players in Kendrick Toney and Frenando White. They both run 4.4’s (40-yard dash) and if you get confused they can hurt you and take away your confidence in a minute."

McAdory lost nine starters on defense from last season’s third round team, but returned enough this year to get Troy State interested.

"I’ve heard Troy State has already offered a couple of their linebackers scholarships, so obviously they’re talented," Fountain said.

Fountain insists the Trojans can’t afford a repeat performance of last year’s opening round loss to Stanhope-Elmore. CHHS came out flat early and the Mustangs made them pay, 41-14.

"We’re going to have to be ready to go when we get up there. If we’re not, we’ll get our butt whipped," he said.

However, the Trojans lost 23 seniors off of last year’s squad, so Fountain will be fielding basically a brand new team against the Yellow Jackets.

"A few of our boys played in that game, but most did not," said Fountain, referring to last year’s loss to Stanhope. "What we’ve been preaching with the playoffs is that it’s all about one play at a time and how you match-up. We have to play to our potential. If we come out like we did against Wilcox and play poor on offense and sufficient, at times, on defense, that’s not going to cut it. We have to make them (MHS) earn everything they get."