FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Sleep on the North Hall defense at your own risk.
A young, undersized, and probably overlooked unit grew up Friday night, producing two defensive touchdowns to spark a huge 27-17 Region 8-4A win over Cherokee Bluff.
The Trojans defense held the Bears on downs once and forced three punts to go with the two turnovers in eight Bluff possessions.
“It’s a young group, but we can see them getting better each week. I think teams are maybe underestimating them,” North Hall quarterback Tanner Marsh said. “We have some dogs on defense, like Trey (Patterson), and they probably saved the game for us tonight.”
Holding a slim 14-10 lead after the Bears had gotten a Michael Arbour 21-yard field goal to open the third quarter, Connor Free changed the momentum. The senior defensive back stripped Bluff’s Connor Hulsey and raced 35 yards for a fumble return for a touchdown.
“I went for the tackle originally, but the ball was right there, so I just grabbed it and took off,” Free said. “That’s the first time in all the years I’ve played football. I’ve been able to do that. It was a huge momentum change for the whole team.”
The Bears' next drive ended in a punt, and then Mason Kerrick seemingly sealed it, snatching a tipped ball out of the air and returning it 25 yards for a score and a 27-10 lead in the fourth quarter.
“These guys are still learning how to play together as a unit,” North Hall coach Sean Pender said. “Connor’s play changed everything. We still have a ways to go, but they’re getting better each week.”
It also was much-needed as Bluff (1-4, 1-2 Region 8-4A) outgained the vaunted Trojans offense 282 to 261. It was the lowest output of the season for North Hall (5-0, 3-0 Region 8-4A).
“Good teams have to find different ways to win, and we did that tonight,” Pender said. “I don’t know if teams are sleeping on our defense, but they made some huge plays tonight, and I expect them to keep getting better.”
The Bears started strong, picking off Marsh at their own 35 on a third-down pass on North Hall’s opening drive. Then the offense went to work using its big offensive line and half of the first quarter.
Bluff rumbled 65 yards in 13 plays, all on the ground, but it didn’t come without some drama. The Trojans staged a near goal line stand, forcing a fourth down. But Asher Wilson was able to sneak in for a 1-yard TD run for a 7-0 lead.
It was short-lived as North Hall answered back quickly. Ryals Puryear returned the kickoff to the Bears 48, and Marsh needed just four plays to get the Trojans on the board.
After a 25-yard run by Tate Ruth, Marsh connected with Puryear on a 12-yard touchdown pass to tie the game at 7 with 2:48 left in the first quarter.
The defenses then dominated. The Trojans stopped Bluff on downs on their next drive, and then the teams alternated four punts. But the Trojans ended up with the prime field possession after Puryear returned a short punt to the Bears 49 with just 1:30 left in the half.
Marsh hit Ruth and Breckan Kirby for back-to-back 12-yard passes before ripping off a 22-yard run down to the Bluff 2. Marsh finished off the 57-second drive on the next play for a 14-7 lead heading into the intermission.
Wilson connected with Malcomb Milsap on a 4-yard TD pass with 4:07 left in the game to pull within 27-17. But North Hall recovered the ensuing onside kick and ran out all but the final 10 seconds to seal the win.
The Trojans will need everything they can muster next week, playing host to No. 2-ranked North Oconee (4-0, 2-0 Region 8-4A) at The Brickyard, which will be the first major battle for first place in Region 8-4A.
“That’s going to be a huge challenge for us, but we’ll get ready for next week and give it everything we’ve got,” Pender said.
NOTES: Marsh 15-of-24 for 152 yards passing and added another 42 on the ground for North Hall. Ty Kemp had 7 catches for 68 yards, Puryear had 7 catches for 39 yards, and Tate Ruth had 59 yards on 13 carries for the Trojans. ... Hulsey rushed for 98 yards on 27 carries to pace the Bears' ground game. Wilson was 10-for-18 for 94 yards passing and added 64 yards rushing. Braylon Jackson had 4 catches for 52 yards receiving for the Bears.
