Trojans looking to improve on last week’s mistakes
Published 11:33 pm Thursday, August 30, 2012
Looking at the scoreboard, it would seem Charles Henderson did everything right in last week’s 44-2 exhibition victory over Pike County.
Head coach Mike Dean is still looking for improvement, however.
“We’ve got a long way to go,” Dean said after last week’s win. “We expect to win every game but we were sloppy.”
A self-described perfectionist, Dean said his team fell short of his expectations in some areas.
The Trojans turned the ball over three times including once at the Pike County 2-yard line and had a poor snap on a punt attempt that resulted in a safety and the Bulldogs only points of the contest.
“We got lucky at times,” Dean said. “There is always room for improvement, that’s why we play this game.”
Charles Henderson now heads to Daphne where they will face a tough Bayside Academy.
The Admirals, who fielded their first team in 2001, are coming off a perfect regular season and a school-best 11-1 campaign last season. Bayside fell to a powerful Clay County squad in the second round of the Class 3A playoffs.
Charles Henderson also advanced to the second round of the Class 5A postseason last season, falling to St. Paul’s. The Trojans begin their first season in 4A and Dean expects his team to rise to the challenge.
“Before when this team faced adversity, they would hang their heads,” Dean said. “They got a little taste of competition (against Pike County) and they found out that we are going to coach every down of the game.”
The Trojans head into the game relatively healthy. Running back Courtney Downing was lifted in the second quarter against Pike County with a minor knee injury but is expected to be at full strength on Friday.
Charles Henderson and Bayside have never met on the football field.
Game time in Daphne is set for 7 p.m.