Central Holmes football coach Mitch Womack has been telling his players for the last three weeks to just survive the storm and that better things were on the way.
Womack’s prediction came to fruition on Friday night as the Trojans took a 24-6 homecoming win over Delta Streets for their first victory of the season.
The Trojans are now 1-3 on the season and host Winona Christian in a huge district game on Friday night.
After running through the 4A gauntlet of Brookhaven, Tri-County and Winston, Womack was glad to see his team come through on the other side.
“It was good to see our kids line up and play a team that is comparable to us number wise. We have faced some big football teams the last three weeks. To face a team that has the same situation as you, it makes you more competitive,” Womack said. “We have preached to them to keep fight and when we start playing comparable schools, we are going to be to have a chance to win. Now maybe we can take this win and build on it and get it to carry over to the next five weeks.”
The Trojans got off to a good start in the game. After forcing a three-and-out on defense, the Central Holmes offense went down the field 68 yards in 10 plays behind the strong running of Lamarion Buchanon and Jurdan Engle. Engle finished off the drive with a 1-yard run with 3:00 left in the first quarter. Buchanon ran in the two-point conversion and Central Holmes led 8-0.
After turning Delta over on downs, Central Holmes again drove deep into scoring territory but fumbled the ball on the Delta 5. Two plays later, Ellis Harris and Barrett Fondren tackled the Delta quarterback for a fumble to give Central Holmes a 10-0 lead.
On the ensuing kick, Buchanon took the kick, hit the right sidelines and raced 70 yards for a touchdown. Engle ran in the two-point conversion and Central Holmes held an 18-0 lead with 7:48 left in the second quarter.
Delta put together a six-play drive that came to an end on an Eli Carr fumble recovery. The Trojans then went 14 plays and ran out the half to lead 18-0 at the half.
“We knew they are going to load the box and we prepared for that. We tried to work out speed sweeps to stretch them out. I thought Lamarion Buchanon had a great night. He had 135 yards rushing and a 70-yard kickoff return. He’s finally learning how to use his speed and had some good runs tonight,” Womack said. “I think overall the kids came through that stretch and learned to play faster. I think they are playing at a different pace than they were to begin the season. Hopefully getting that first win will catapult us to playing better every week from here on out.”
Delta got on the scoreboard late in the third quarter on a 71-yard touchdown pass to cut the score to 18
But the Trojans put the game away with a 10-play, 70-yard drive as Engle scored his second touchdown on a 4-yard run for the final of 24-6
Buchanon had his best night of the year with 135 yards rushing on 17 carries while Engle had 69 yards on 13 carries.
Fondren led the defense with six tackles while Noah Steen, Aiden Adcock, Jurden Engle and John Christopher Riley each had four tackles apiece.
“We knew they are going to have some big backs and were going to try and run the power game at us so we loaded the box and went cover zero,” Womack said. “I thought the kids played well on defense and limited their power game. We had some alignment issues and have to do better at reading our kids. We had some small things that we have to continue to work on and get better at.”
This week’s game
The Trojans will try to make it two in a row this week as they host Winona Christian this week to open district play.
The Stars are 1-4 on the season. Their only win was a forfeit win over French Camp while they have losses to Carroll (50-0), Oak Hill (26-23), Benton (49-13) and Winston (34-7).
“They have got good skill people,” Womack said. “They are big and mobile up front. My biggest thing that I’m trying to guard against is getting caught up in the rivalry game. We just can’t get out of scheme and get on a personal vendetta. I have told them that we can’t get caught up in the game and just have to do their jobs and do what they are supposed to do.”
Both teams have played a rigorous schedule so far this season.
“I think they are in about the same shape as us.” Womack said. “We are about as comparable as we have been in a long time. I know coach (Junior) Graham is glad to be out of the 4A fold just like we are. I think it will be a really competitive game and I know he will get his team prepared. I’m excited about it.”
Last year, Winona took a 38-8 win over Central Holmes.
