The Charleston High School Tigers celebrated a 38-7 win over the Strayhorn Mustangs during homecoming at Tiger Stadium Friday night (Oct. 14).
Charleston improved to 5-3 on the season while Strayhorn dropped to 3-5.
CHS head coach LaDon Taylor said he was glad that the Tigers were able to “do what we were supposed to do, take care of business the way we were supposed to.”
They did it so well, jumping out to a 22-0 lead by the end of the first quarter, that the home team was able to begin substituting backups for starters late in the second period and subbed on a wholesale basis in the second half.
“That was one of the best parts about the game for me, being able to play every single kid that was on that sideline with us,” noted Taylor. “That doesn’t happen often.”
The coach said reserves “play an important role” as the scout team in practices, simulating what the upcoming opponent will do offensively, defensively and on special teams, adding, “Those guys don’t always get enough credit for the part that they play in the overall scheme of things.”
One of those backup players, senior Roger Haywood, electrified the Charleston sideline when he scored a would-be touchdown on about a 40-yard reception with 1:55 in the second quarter. However, the score was nullified by a holding penalty.
“Everybody was just excited about Roger,” said Taylor, explaining why coaches and players alike were so ec-static over Haywood’s reception.
“He’s one of those guys who doesn’t get a lot of playing time, but to see him get out there and make a play was good, and I was glad to see the excitement from the rest of the team about it,” he noted.
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At 8:02 in the first quarter, Charleston’s Corterrius Johnson scored the first points of the night on a 9-yard run. The two-point try failed.
The Tigers hit paydirt again at 3:32 in the opening period when Marcus Flowers burst through the line for a 7-yard touchdown. Flowers ran for the two-point conversion that extended the lead to 14-0.
Johnson scored another touchdown with 43 seconds left in the first stanza, breaking a 60-yard run to the end zone. Kavarrion “KK” Brown, the beefiest player on the CHS roster at 310 pounds, bulled his way across the goal line for the two-pointer.
At 10:54 in the second quarter, Devon Olive completed an 11-yard pass to Omar Wilson for a touchdown. Olive then found 6-3 Terrence Marco in the end zone for the conversion that made the score 30-0, an advantage that stood through the halftime.
On the opening kickoff of the second half, Charleston’s Timothy Kirk covered the distance for a 66-yard touchdown. De’Anthony Gipson carried for the conversion and the Tigers opened a 38-0 lead with 11:34 in the third quarter.
Late in the fourth period, Strayhorn scored on a 39-yard pass from Tyson Whitsell to Kadin Lane with 3:09 remaining. Jose Rubio kicked the PAT for the final point of the contest.
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Statistically, Olive completed 4-of-10 pass attempts for 116 yards and one touchdown. Latese Edwards attempted two passes, but both fell incomplete.
Buddy Hill had one catch for 58 yards, Wilson two for 31 and Dre Riley one for 27.
Seven different Tigers carried the football on the ground. Johnson led the pack with two rushes for 69 yards. Flowers had three runs for 24 yards, Rod Obannon two for 22 yards, Kyntorris Williams three for 20 yards, C.J. Edwards one for 4 yards and Jaylon Brooks one for 3. Edwards lost 19 yards on one play at quarterback.
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On Friday night, Oct. 21, Charleston will travel to Marks to face the M.S. Palmer Dragons, who are 3-5 after their 24-0 loss to Coahoma County a week ago.
“They’re a very athletic bunch of kids, which they always are,” said Taylor. “This week, we will be up against some guys that have got just as much [team] speed as us, if not a little more.”
Kickoff is at 7 p.m.
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Charleston’s final game of the regular season, as usual, will be played on a Thursday.
The Tigers will host Coahoma County Thursday, Oct. 27, during senior night on the Charleston campus. Kickoff for that game is at 7, as well.
