The Indians added a late second quarter touchdown to take a 30-22 lead when Milton found Eldell again for a 24-yard touchdown pass on fourth-and-6.

The Indians racked up 342 yards of total offense in the opening half, while the Trojans had 276 yards.

Charlton County caught the Trojans off guard at the start of the second half, rolling the dice with an onside kick. The Indians recovered at the Trojans’ 45-yard line, and started the second half with the ball. Then they drove down the field for a touchdown that made the score 38-22.

Ball control was a big key for the Indians, as they held the Trojans to only five offensive plays in the third quarter, for a total of three yards.

The Trojans had to play the second half without Rose, their quarterback, who left the game at halftime with an ankle injury.

“I didn’t want to take a chance on him,” said Freeman. “He’s just a kid, and he is going to play college ball somewhere. I didn’t want to risk him.”

The Trojans got a score early in the fourth quarter, when running back Keith Christopher broke a 62-yard touchdown run to cut Charlton’s lead to 38-30. The Indians then recovered the onside kick attempt by the Trojans.

The Trojans’ defense temporarily stopped the Indians. But on fourth-and-11, a gutsy call by the Indians turned into a 26-yard pass play that gave Charlton a first down. The Indians scored on the next play, then converted another two-point conversion, which increased their lead to 46-30.

The Trojans refused to go away, and drove down the field with a quick drive. Keith Christopher slashed into the end zone for a 4-yard touchdown run. However, the Trojans failed to convert the two-point conversion attempt, which kept the score at 46-36.

Then Charlton County got the ball, and held it the rest of the game.

The Trojans were led by Keith Christopher, who rushed for 180 yards on 12 carries, and scored three touchdowns in the final game of his storied high school career.

“He’s a very good running back,” Freeman said. “He should get an opportunity to play college ball for somebody.”