Central Holmes Coach Mitch Womack is back for a second year and hopes a season of hard knocks pays some dividends for the Trojans this fall.
“Our numbers are limited again,” Womack said. “We only have 18 upperclassmen dressed out. We only have six offensive lineman, and four of those are younger kids. Our numbers are kind of dictating what we are trying to do.”
The Trojans will kick the season off on Aug. 20 as they host Clinton Christian.
“I don’t know much about them,” Womack said. “They will be real athletic and cause us some problems with speed and quickness. That’s about all I know.”
On Aug. 27, the Trojans will make the long road trip to Brookhaven.
“They have a good quarterback with a good arm and throws it around really well,” Womack said. “They graduated some seniors that were their main guys. But they have had a history of a good football program and I expect it to be a good game.”
The Trojans will return home on Sept. 3 as they host Tri-County Academy.
“They are a perennial power,” Womack said. “They are always in the hunt for a state championship. They will be fast and aggressive. They are really excited about their club. It will be a huge challenge for my guys.”
Central Holmes will get another Class 4A school the next week as they travel to Winston.
“They are another team with a tremendous history,” Womack said. “They will be aggressive and another team that could blow you out. We have to be ready to take their punches. A lot of these schools on our schedule have good histories like Winston and Tri-County.”
On Sept. 17, the Trojans will host Delta Streets, a new team to the schedule.
“I watched them in basketball and they were extremely athletic,” Womack said. “They will have great team speed and will challenge us. They are another athletic team we have to deal with.”
The Trojans will then host Winona Christian on Sept. 24 as they open district play.
“It’s a good rivalry game and coach (Junior) Graham does a great job,” Womack said. “I know they lost their quarterback but I don’t expect them to pout about it. With it being the first district game of the year, the emotions will run high. I think how the first five weeks goes can go a long way in determining how that game goes.”
The following week, the Trojans will travel to Canton to take on the Panthers in another district game.
“I think they will be a very athletic and very physical football team,” Womack said. “I know they lost one of their main players but you watch them in track and basketball and they have a lot of athletes. I think they have all the tools and we will have to play our best game to stay on the field with them.”
On Oct. 8, the Trojans will travel to Benton to take on the Raiders, a team they beat last year for their first win and one that many believe is a 3A contender this year.
“I think they have the potential to win the district and challenge for the state,” Womack said. “They only lost two or three kids and the majority of them are seniors this year. The have a big offensive line and big running back with a good aggressive defense. I think they are the team to beat in our district.”
The Trojans will then travel to West Point to take on Oak Hill and its air raid offense.
“They return the quarterback who is a great athlete,” Womack said. “He has a great arm and their passing game is really tough to defend. He can make every throw on the field and makes all the right reads. He will be a problem for whomever they play. He came back from a broken hand last year and was throwing dimes all over the field.”
The Trojans then finish out the regular season by host traditional power Indianola.
“They lost some kids from last year but always seem to regroup,” Womack said. “They have a great running back coming back and they will be another hard challenge for our kids.”
CHCS football schedule
Aug. 20 Clinton Christian
Aug. 27 at Brookhaven
Sept. 3 Tri-County
Sept. 10 at Winston
Sept. 17 Delta Streets
Sept. 24 Winona Christian
Oct. 1 at Canton
Oct. 8 at. Benton
Oct. 15 at Oak Hill
Oct. 22 Indianola
