CHHS closes out regular season at Northview

Published 3:00 am Thursday, November 2, 2017

The Charles Henderson Trojans will travel south to Dothan to take on Northview this evening for their second Thursday night game in the last three weeks.

The Trojans (5-4, 4-2) will take on a 3-6 Cougar team in the regular season finale at Rip Hewes Stadium.

“We want to finish up on a strong note,” said Trojans head coach Brad McCoy. “We want to have some momentum going into the playoffs. It’s a non-region game, but I think our kids have prepared like it was a playoff game. We want to get our minds set on that and treat it like it’s a playoff game.”

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The Trojans have won their last two games and three of their last four. The Cougars have won two of their last three games. After going winless last year, McCoy believes Northview is a better team now then they were then.

“Northview is a good football team, a much-improved football team,” McCoy said. “Being on the road on a Thursday night is going to present it’s own challenges. We know we are going to have the right kind of focus and energy and mindset to come away with a win.”

The Trojans have battled their fair share of injuries so far this season, especially on the offensive side of the ball. They recently returned DQ Toney and Cobi Jones and they hope to get back center Sam Knox.

“That certainly has been the story of our season,” McCoy said. “We have had a couple with flu-like symptoms this week that we may or may not have back. Those guys are starters. We may gain one offensive lineman, but we may be down two skill guys.”

The Cougars have tripled their win total from last year. In their wins, the Cougars are averaging 26 points per game while giving up 10.

“That was an 0-10 team last year,” McCoy said. “They came out this year and they have beaten Enterprise on the road and they have beaten Russell County. Coach  (Josh) Parrish has come in and changed the staff up and what they did offensively.

“They can jump in the spread and throw the ball 30 times a game. They have big receivers and a good offensive line. Defensively, they fly to the ball and are always in the right spot. Northview in my opinion is not the same Northview team that we have beaten the last two years.”

With the playoffs on the horizon, the Trojans hope to fine-tune their kicking game.

“I think we still have holes in special teams,” McCoy said. “I think that has been the point of focus.”

Kickoff was originally slated for Friday night, but at the request of Northview, it was changed for 7 p.m. tonight.

“I think Northview wanted it changed because they weren’t in the playoffs,” McCoy said. “We saw it as an opportunity when they presented to have an extra day on Clay Central.”