Sports Editor

Before last week’s win 12-6 win over McAdory, the Charles Henderson High School football program had been waiting nine long years for an opening round playoff victory.

At least in that respect, Robertsdale, the Trojans (8-2) second round opponent tonight in Memorial Stadium, had CHHS beat.

Prior to last week’s 30-0 shutout of Russell County, the Golden Bears had not won a playoff game since the 60s and come into tonight’s contest 9-2 overall – its best record in over 30 years.

"They’re (RHS) very similar to us and we’re both in the same boat as far as trying to build up a program, " said CHHS head coach Hugh Fountain.

Robertsdale will also have the edge in senior leadership this week, with a

total of 28 seniors on the roster to CHHS’s seven.

"They’re one of the largest schools in Class 5A," said Fountain.

Both teams are also having to deal with a short turnaround as far as time between games go. Because of the AISA Triple Championship being played in Memorial Stadium on Friday, the contest between Robertsdale and CHHS had to be moved up to tonight.

Although the second round of the state playoffs is somewhat new territory for Fountain and his players, the sixth-year head coach said he and his staff have changed nothing in the way they approach tonight’s game.

"Other then backing everything up a day, we’ve not really changed anything in the way we prepare and practice," he said.

Before the McAdory game, Fountain said his team – especially the defense – had went through its "worst week of practice all season."

But the defense showed up last Friday night in McCalla and held the powerful Yellowjackets’ offense to only 111 yards and six points.

Fountain said this week has gone better.

"It’s been a good week of practice, but we haven’t had as much time to prepare since its been a short week," he said. "But the players understand once we get to this particular time of the season we’ve just got to be ready to play."

The bright side is, should the Trojans win tonight, Fountain and his staff will have an added day of practice next week to prepare for a quarterfinal opponent, either Benjamin Russell or Oak Mountain.

Since CHHS is on top of the Class 5A bracket, the Trojans would also host next week.

But first they have to get by Roberstdale.

The Golden Bears captured the Class 5A Region 1 crown against Citronelle in the final game of the year. Losses this season came against 4A No. 1 UMS-Wright and Williamson.

Looking at the Trojans’ schedule this season, Fountain says he can’t really find a team to compare the Golden Bears to.

"They (RHS) like to run the ball with the option and the inside running game," said Fountain. "They’re not like Hillcrest, because Hillcrest never threw the ball. Greenville ran the option, but then they’d throw deep to one of those big wide receivers. Robertsdale is more versatile in their passing game."

The Golden Bears have a number of weapons in their backfield, including dual-purpose quarterback Obie Trotter and tailback P.J. Iker.

However, the Trojans have the advantage of having faced a tougher opponent in the first round. McAdory was ranked No. 8 in the state and finished the regular season 9-1. By contrast, Russell County was 2-8.

"Maybe we can get out there tonight and play to our potential and get after them," said Fountain.

Kickoff is at 7 p.m.