Charles Henderson beats Northview in final minute

With the game on the line, Charles Henderson quarterback K.D. Edenfield found his top target again in the Trojans’ game-winning drive against Northview.

On fourth-and-goal from the Cougars’ 5 with 50 seconds left in the game, Edenfield took the snap in the shotgun, looked left and connected with Jabari Brown, who came back for the ball just behind the goal line and made the diving catch in an 18-13 victory on Knology Field at Rip Hewes Stadium Thursday night.

Edenfield threw three touchdown passes in the game, while completing 9-of-21 passes for 154 yards.

The Trojan senior threw a 62-yard touchdown pass to Cory Dennis in the first quarter and a 25-yard touchdown toss to Roderick Toney in the second quarter.

But it was the poise Edenfield and the rest of the Trojans showed on their final scoring drive that was most impressive.

Charles Henderson put together a 62-yard, 14-play drive to pull out the victory.

“That drive showed the pride this team has,” Charles Henderson coach Hugh Fountain said. “For us to finish 5-5 is awesome.”

Charles Henderson won four of its final five games to end the season on a strong note after earlier being eliminated from playoff contention.
Northview ends the season at 3-7 in Wayne White’s first year at the helm.

“I thought we played hard tonight the whole game,” White said. “They fought to the end. To Charles Henderson’s credit, they made the plays at the end and we didn’t.”

Northview was in position to win the game after perfectly executing a fake field goal and turning it into an 11-yard touchdown pass from B.J. Chitty to Marquez White with 9:27 left to make it 13-12 in the Cougars’ favor.

On third-and-goal from 11, Chitty threw for White in the left corner of the end zone, and the ball just skipped off his hands incomplete.

The Cougars sent Dustin Holland out to line up for a field goal on fourth down, but Chitty instead took the snap and found White on the same pass pattern in the corner of the end zone. White went up high to make the catch, and then was knocked out of bounds by the defender without his feet coming down in bounds.

It was ruled he was in bounds when making the catch and forced out on the hit. Northview went for a 2-point conversion, but Chitty’s pass in the end zone was incomplete.

After both teams failed to make a first down on the two ensuing possessions, Charles Henderson started its game-winning drive.

With 2:45 left, Charles Henderson faced a fourth-and-2 from the Cougars’ 18, and Edenfield went to Brown for a 4-yard completion.

Two plays later, Northview’s John Hutto sacked Edenfield for a 4-yard loss, and the Trojans faced third-and-12 from the 16.

Edenfield threw for Brown on the third down play, and pass interference was called as Brown was bumped going for the ball near the sidelines, giving the Trojans first-and-goal at the 8.

The Northview defense then dug in as Edenfield gained three yards on first down, then threw two incomplete passes before the game-winner to Brown for the 18-13 lead.

After the TD pass with 47 seconds left, Edenfield ran in on a 2-point conversion, but the Trojans were called for holding. On a second try for 2, Edenfield threw incomplete.

Northview still had time after Benzael Williams returned the kickoff from the 24 up to the Northview 43. But from there, the Cougars only got a 10-yard completion from Chitty to Cody Trusty before giving up the ball up on downs. Charles Henderson had to run one play to end the game.

Northview led 7-0 early in the second quarter when Derrick Thomas scored on a 1-yard run to culminate an 11-play, 52-yard drive. Holland added the PAT.

On the first play following the kickoff, Edenfield hit Dennis over the middle, and the junior receiver took it the distance to pull within 7-6. The Trojans elected to try for two, but Edenfield’s pass was incomplete.

Charles Henderson led 12-7 at halftime after the 25-yard scoring reception by Toney.

Northview’s go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter came after the Cougars’ Austine Hill recovered a fumble at the 50 following a high Chitty punt which was mishandled. Twelve plays later, Northview pulled the fake field goal for a touchdown to take back the lead before the Trojans won it at the end.

Chitty had a big game running for Northview with 93 yards on 18 carries. He also threw for 53 yards on 7-of-15 passing.

Edenfield led Charles Henderson in rushing with 58 yards on 13 carries.