Hapeville Charter had a massive upset win last Friday over Private’s #6 ranked Lovett 25-15. Senior Robert Henderson was the driving force rushing for 208 yards and scoring all four of Hapeville’s touchdowns. The final three touchdowns came in the second half to erase a 15-7 deficit, giving Hapeville Charter the signature win over ranked Lovett.
The win catapults Hapeville Charter into the 2A rankings, penciling at #6 with our recent Week 11 rankings. They are now 4-3 on the season and look poised to make some noise come playoff time.
“The Lovett win is us showing no matter the record the charter is coming,” Henderson said.
The 2024 season waters weren’t always smooth. Hapeville Charter started the season 1-3 but has won three consecutive games and looks primed for more success next month. Henderson talked about the season thus far.
“My senior year has been going good it started off bumpy but as I grew chemistry with my O-line nobody had an answer for us,” Henderson said.
The senior back is nicknamed ‘Shifty’, which lived true last Friday with him bobbing around tacklers and making tight jukes. His ability to cut on a dime, get around tacklers, and buy up big chunks of yardage keeps those chains moving.
Henderson is a next-level player, so he talked about what he can bring to playing big-time college football.
“I can impact a college program by my work ethic, being able to run the ball with power and speed, being able to work in open field situations, and can run routes like a WR,” he said.
The senior plays with a lot of urgency, getting the handoff and hitting the hold like his hair is on fire. You have to love his determination and leg drive to break through tacklers; Henderson runs more like a 200 lbs. back than someone around 180 lbs.
Hapeville Charter has played a tough schedule this season, and Henderson has compiled some excellent film. Colleges have taken notice, and his recruitment is starting to heat up with a visit coming very soon.
“I am hearing from a couple of colleges like West Georgia, Troy, Marshall, UCONN, Elon, Wake Forest, Samford, Campbell, and USF.” He continued, “Overall, my recruiting is still open and I’m still looking for a home. I’m visiting Samford on November 2nd and I’m currently trying to visit other schools.”
Hapeville’s win launches a discussion throughout 2A, and now they look to be a contender. The Charter has been extremely successful in 2A, winning their first state title back in 2017 with QB Hajj-Malik Williams (now starting at UNLV), and being a power for years until they moved up to 4A.
With reclassification, they move down to 2A again, and figure to be a program back in the championship conversation, at least that is Henderson’s plan.
“The goal for the rest of the season is to continue scoring win out the region and make our way to state,” he said.
Hapeville Charter has a busy final three weeks of the season against KIPP, Therrell, and a potential region title matchup against Carver-Atlanta on November 8th. There will be no rest with the playoffs right around the corner, so keep up with Henderson and Hapeville Charter’s final stretch to the season by following @RecruitGeorgia on Twitter/X plus athletes across the state.