Explosive Trojans meet young Warriors

GAINESVILLE - There's explosive and then there's the North Hall offense.

The Trojans only had the ball for five plays in the first half of last week's 44-14 win over Flowery Branch, yet led 14-7 at halftime and had another score called back.

No even Ted Williams posted that kind of success rate.

"I thought we did a great job of execution when we had the ball. We just couldn't get our hands on it that much," North Hall coach Bob Christmas said.

Flowery Branch kept the ball away from the Trojans with its methodical wishbone attack. Things should be slightly different for North Hall this week as it faces White County and its run-and-shoot style offense in Cleveland Friday night in a Region 7-AAA game.

The game can be heard live on MAJIC 1029-FM beginning at 7 p.m. with The Tailgate Show.

"I don't think (White County) will be trying to mount those slow drives. That kind of offense, you're looking to move quick and make big plays. It's definitely a different style than you're used to seeing," Christmas said.

White County coach Mark Wilson said his young team is still learning the new offense but is progressing.

"It takes a while to really get your timing down. We had some people open last week but just didn't hit them. but I think we're making strides everyday," he said.

Wilson said he will switch his quartyervbacks this week, giving the starting nod to Trevor Elrod and moving Nick Winters to receiver.

"I planned all along to switch them out to see them both and see what they can do. Plus, Nick may be the best receiver on the team," Wilson said.

Christmas said it doesn't matter who they have in there.

"They have some good receivers and a good quarterback who can really throw and catch the ball. They also have a solid runner who can hurt you if you play just the pass. So we have to be able to do some different things and mix it up to slow them down."

The Warriors (0-1, 0-1) never really got untracked last week against Gainesville in a 56-6 blow out loss. Christmas said that wasn't indicative of what they can do.

"They are going to get better as the season goes on. We're lucky we're catching them early while they're trying out a few things. I wouldn't want to play them late in the season," he said.

The Trojans (1-0, 1-0) will have to rely on Michael Christmas and Beau Whitmire at the corners to keep receivers Roshaad Norman and Dustin Crance from running through the secondary. Running back Tony Dorsey gives them another option out of the backfield.

"Michael and Beau will be a big key for us to stopping them. If they play well, we'll be fine," Christmas said.

On offense North Hall again will rely on running backs T.J. Pitts and Michael Christmas and quarterback Corey Hutchins, who all had big games in the second half against Flowery Branch.

Wilson says there may not be a more xplosive team in the area.

"All three of their backs can run and the quarterback is good. They can score everytime they touch it so we'll have to ready. They may have the best offense around so we've got our work cut out for us," Wilson said.