Despite being denied the post season, for the first time in several years, the Charles Henderson Trojans proved on Friday night that they still had something to play for against Eufaula.

And in the process did something that had never been done before.

It was senior night at Movie Gallery Veterans Stadium as the Trojans and the Tigers battled under the lights, one team playing for a chance to be crowned 5A Region 2 champions and the other playing for a .500 season.

The Trojans played inspired football throughout much of the game, defeating the Tigers 14-7, improving its record to 4-5 overall and 4-3 in the conference.

“Unbelievable game,” head coach Hugh Fountain said.

“Very, very proud of how are kids played tonight. It shows a lot of character to come out here and get this win. Some teams would have quit knowing they had nothing to play for – but these kids never did and we beat a great football team in the process.

“Sometimes playing for pride means more to a team then playing for a championship,” the coach added.

This was the third straight time the CHHS had defeated Eufaula, something that Fountain and his crew had yet to do.

The loss dropped the Tigers to 5-4, 5-2 in region play.

Despite forcing two fumbles, one on the Tiger’s first possession and on a Tiger punt return, the Trojan offense started the game off sluggish.

On its fourth possession of the game, CHHS struck pay dirt in the second quarter when senior quarterback K.D. Edenfield connected with junior wide receiver Cory Dennis for a 21-yard touchdown pass.

The pass ended a 14-play drive that went 80 yards and took almost five minutes off the clock.

“To me, this was like our playoff game,” Edenfield said after the game. “We wanted to finish the season strong.”

The senior shined on the night dedicated to him and the rest of his class as he rushed for 101 yards on 25 carries and threw for 86 yards, a touchdown and an interception, completing five of this 13 passes.

“I told the coaches to give me the ball and let me make something happen. They have a lot of faith in me and I am very thankful for that,” Edenfield said.

CHHS dominated the first, doubling the Tigers in offensive yards, 164-81, and in first down, 7-3.

The beginning of the second half was played much like the first, with the Trojans calling the shots.

On the team’s second possession of the game, the Trojans again found the back of the end zone because of Dennis, this time on a three yard run.

Dennis finished the game rushing for 61 yards and a touchdown on eight carries.

That touchdown proved to be the difference maker as the game went on.

With a little over five minutes remaining in the game, Eufaula finally got on the board, thanks to a Demonte Jett two-yard touchdown run, capping a nine-play, 60-yard drive.

After a CHHS fumble on the ensuing kick off, the Tigers had its chance to tie the game.

However, thanks to the Trojans’ defense, Eufaula went four-and-out on its next possession, securing the win for CHHS.

The defense on the night only allowed 181 total Tiger yards while its counterpart gave up 300 offensive yards to the Trojans.

“We knew, coming into the game, that we were going to have to be successful running the ball and we had to be physical – which we were,” Fountain said.

“This was a big game for them and we were able to really control [the game] even though we got off to a slow start.

“This is definitely a highlight win for us,” Fountain added. “We still have another big game coming up next week, but this is one that means a lot.”

The Trojans will look to finish its season on a four game winning streak next Thursday, Oct. 30, at Northview.