Eufaula edges Troy, finishes second in region

Eufaula High didn’t win the region.

But they sure celebrated like champions after their 17-9 win at rival Charles Henderson. They had a lot to celebrate.

With the win, Eufaula (8-1, 6-1) clinched second place in Class 5A Region 2 and earned a home game against Paul Bryant in the first round of the playoffs. Charles Henderson (5-4, 5-2) fell to third in the region and will travel to Demopolis in the first round. Valley is the top team in the region.

“We lost our chance for the No. 1 spot, so this is the next best thing to fight for,” said senior offensive lineman Rashaun Hoskey.  

It was easily the most emotional win this season for Class 5A’s ninth-ranked team. It was the first time the Tigers rallied from a deficit to win.

“Before tonight we had only been behind twice – two times at Valley,” EHS coach Dan Klages. “Both times were on the road, and both times were against a real good football program. We responded well the first time (against Valley) but just didn’t finish the deal. But the discipline and the lessons we learned from that game helped us tonight.”

The Tigers erased two deficits against Charles Henderson, including a one-point deficit in the fourth quarter. Charles Henderson led 9-8 and had the ball at the EHS 25 when Tiger senior safety Mike Mayo made the biggest play of the night.

The Trojans fumbled, and Mayo snatched the loose pigskin in midair and sprinted 80 yards for a touchdown. Eufaula missed the extra point attempt but still led 14-9 with 10:38 remaining.

Eufaula’s Jim Johnson extended the lead midway through the period with a 38-yard field goal that would have been good from at least 45 yards. The Trojans had one more chance to tie the game, but their final drive stalled at the EHS 33.

Eufaula took possession with 3:11 remaining, and finally celebrated after the Trojans jumped offside on fourth and one with 1:36 remaining.

The Tigers won despite committing three turnovers, including two in the red zone. However, Charles Henderson committed two turnovers in the fourth quarter to end promising drives.

Charles Henderson scored the game’s first points when Hyrum Salmon booted a 32-yard field goal in the final minute of the first quarter. Eufaula finally enjoyed some offensive success in the second quarter, and scored just before halftime when Ben Thomas went in on a quarterback keeper. Thomas Ford completed the two-point conversion pass to Devonte Ware, and the Tigers led 8-3 at halftime.

But the Trojans would answer late in the third quarter. Junior tailback Courtney Downing sparked a 10-play, 73-yard scoring drive that took 4:06. Downing ran the ball seven times for 54 yards, including a 3-yard touchdown run up the middle. Charles Henderson missed the two-point conversion but led 9-8.

Eufaula’s defense responded in the fourth quarter by forcing two turnovers and then the fourth down stop.