CHHS hosts Dora, looking to cash in on hard work
Published 11:00 pm Thursday, November 7, 2013
One might not think Kid Rock and Charles Henderson head coach Mike Dean have a lot in common. But listen to each one talk, and you find out that the bad boy rocker from south Detroit and the high strung coach from the eastern shore of Mobile Bay share the same philosophy.
Kid Rock has forever lived by the motto of “You get what you put in, and people get what they deserve.” Dean motivates his players by never letting them get satisfied, always striving for more and outworking the opponent.
Charles Henderson hosts Dora in the first round of the Alabama High School Athletic Association playoffs Friday night at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Troy. Dora eliminated the Trojans from the playoffs in the quarterfinals last season.
The opportunity of getting a second chance at the Bulldogs has provided a little more motivation than normal, Dean said.
“They are excited, especially knowing its Dora,” Dean said. “The way we got knocked out is what has stuck with them the most. To have five turnovers, and a touchdown called back, is tough to swallow. Anytime you turn the football over that many times, you don’t deserve to win. But to do that, and still have a chance to win, shows you how close you were.”
Charles Henderson lost four games in 2012, and this season will have the opportunity to avenge all four losses.
The Trojans are three-fourths of the way to completing the feat, having already scored wins over Beauregard, Tallassee and Eufaula, with Dora looming Friday night.
“It is not about revenge,” Dean said. “We just want to be 1-0 at the end of each week, regardless of who the opponent is. God rewards those who put in the work to get better, not only as football players, but also human beings. The kids have worked hard, and they get the chance to do something that hasn’t been done in a long time, and it just so happens they get to win some smaller battles along the way.”
Charles Henderson enters the playoffs as the No. 1-ranked team in 4A, and the division’s lone undefeated squad.
However, Dean feels the records and rankings are worthless over the next five weeks.
“It is a new year right now,” Dean said. “Those rankings and records and everything don’t do anything from hear out. Only half the teams in the state make the playoffs, so you have to be pretty good. It is a one-day, one-week type of season. The goal is to get better everyday and be 1-0 about 10 o’clock Friday night. Then start it over the next day.”
Charles Henderson is 0-1 all time against Dora, falling last year 33-21.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Troy.