By Dan Smith

State and national rankings are fine and good, but the Trojans of Charles Henderson High are aware that where you stand at the end of the season is the only ranking that really matters.

Ranked No. 1 in the state in Class 5A and listed among several national polls, CHHS knows the Rehobeth Rebels would like nothing better than to upset the Trojans at home Friday at Hogan’s Hole in the second round of the AHSAA state playoffs.

The first game of the double-header is scheduled for 1 p.m., with a second game to follow. The third game, if necessary, will be played Saturday.

Rehobeth is a familiar rival in Class 5A, Area, 3, as CHHS defeated the Rebels for the area title two weeks ago, but Rehobeth has played excellent baseball in the playoffs and brings momentum and confidence into today’s double-header.

“I feel like we have gotten better as the year has gone along,” said Rehobeth Head Coach Matt Ream. “There have been some things we have done well, such as hitting and putting the ball in play consistently, and this is probably the best hitting team I have ever had. Our pitching and defense have been good enough to keep us in games, and I feel good about our practices this week.

“Charles Henderson is a really good team, Coach Irons does a really good job up there, and hopefully we will give them some good games. Obviously they are ranked No. 16 in the nation for a reason. Six of the last eight area titles have been decided between us two schools, and we have gotten to know each other. If you ever give Charles Henderson an opportunity, such as a walk or an error, they will make you pay, and we can not give any free bases if we expect to have a chance to win against them.”

The Rebels were on the road at No. 4 Tallassee last weekend, and took two-of-three from the Tigers including the deciding game 9-5.

In the final game Ben Holloway of Rehobeth had two hits including a two-run homer, for the 10th-ranked, 21-11 Rebels.

Colton Knight, Gage Herring and Caleb Knighton each added two RBIs. Knighton collected his on a double, Knight had three hits and Herring also had two hits. Logan Palmer added an RBI single and earned the win on the mound.

Earlier this season Holloway signed to play with LBW of Andalusia, now with a .415 batting average, 30 RBI and five home runs in 2015. As a catcher, he has thrown out 10 of 15 base runners, and considered the No. 1 Rehobeth pitcher with a 2.56 ERA while striking out 30 in 27 innings pitched.

John Miller leads the team in hitting with a .430 average, 35 RBI and six home runs, including two against CHHS during the three-game area games of the regular season.

Wyatt Browning is hitting .410 also with five home runs and 28 RBI.

Palmer signed with the University of Mobile as a first baseman, and is a four-year starter.

CHHS is 34-2 and ranked No. 1 in the state in Class 5A after identical 11-1 and 11-1 wins over Beauregard this past Friday and Saturday in Troy.

The Trojans won the Class 5A, Area 3 title two weeks ago against Rehobeth by scores of 14-1 and 7-5 in the best two-of-three series, and then outscored the Rebels in the final game 14-8.