Many people around the state of Alabama called Charles Henderson’s 39-22 win over highly ranked Thomasville last Firday an upset.

But Trojan head coach Mike Dean is not one of those people.

“Seven four-seeds beat one-seeds and 23 three-seeds beat two seeds,” said Dean. I don’t think we upset Thomasville. If you believe it and can go out and do it, to me it’s not an upset.”

The Trojans played what Dean called “the best game of the season” in the win over Thomasville, but said the Trojans have to continue to improve if they want to win on Thursday night.

“You either get better or get worse” said Dean. “There is no in between. Thomasville was a good football teams, Clay Central is as good, if not better. We have to keep working because what worked last week, may not work this week”

For the second week in a row, Charles Henderson will face a team that utilizes a run heavy offense.

Thomasville used the triple option and Central-Clay runs a wishbone formation.

“We have to be physical just like last week,” said Dean. “They want to run the football, it’s just what they do. We have to be ready to play hard for 48 minutes.”

Dean said the theme of the 2012 Trojans remains as big now as it has all season.

The coaching staff has preached

“little things” and “Trojan business” all season.

“We have schemes and I like what we are doing,” said Dean. “But if we can execute our stuff, who cares what they do. We have to execute our game plan to perfection.”

Central Clay is a first year program, formed when Clay County and Lineville High School merged.

The two programs are long-standing rivals, and played against one another in one of Alabama’s most storied rivalries, The Clay Bowl, over 100 times.

The Volunteers are 9-1 on the season with their only loss coming two weeks ago against 3A Madison Academy.

Linebacker Joey Denison said that Charles Henderson has one goal on Thursday night.

“Every one is 0-0 right now,” said Dennison. “We want to be 1-0 Thursday.”

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Troy.