ATLANTA -- All week, the North Hall Trojans focused on not being overwhelmed by the moment when they set foot in the Georgia Dome and the Class AAA semifinals.
In the end, however, it wasn't the moment but an explosive Cairo Syrupmakers squad that overwhelmed the Trojans.
Relying on the big play, Cairo used a 35-0, third-quarter burst to turn a close contest into a 42-21 win.
The loss knocked North Hall (13-1) from the playoffs and brought an end to the Trojans' historic season. Cairo (13-1) moves on to play Carver, Columbus in the Class AAA championship game.
Despite Saturday's outcome, North Hall fans, coaches and players will always remember this season as the first time the Trojans reached a playoff semifinal and a berth in the Georgia Dome.
"It's been an absolute privilege to coach these kids this season," North Hall coach Bob Christmas said. "They accomplished something no other North Hall team has done [reach the playoff semifinals].
"I'd rather go to battle with this team than any other."
The Trojans showed why on Saturday, displaying grit and determination in all phases of the game -- as well as the ability to make big plays -- as they built a 14-7 lead at the half.
North Hall sophomore Robert Humphrey shocked the Syrupmakers early when he scooped up a bad snap on a 29-yard Cairo field goal attempt and returned it 57 yards for a touchdown. The reversal gave the Trojans a 7-0 advantage with 2:47 left in the first quarter.
Cairo responded through the air, as quarterback Angelo Pease hit receiver Dewayne Isom for a 24-yard touchdown that knotted the score at 7-7 with 8:51 left in the second quarter. But North Hall grabbed the lead right back, moving 51 yards in six plays and regaining a 14-7 advantage on Hunter Wolf's 23-yard run.
"I really thought we had the momentum at the half," Christmas said. "But I also knew that we had to go out and play with passion and not make any mistakes in the second half.
"To beat a team like that [Cairo], you've got to play mistake-free, and hope they don't get the momentum."
Unfortunately for North Hall, it only took the Syrupmakers one play into third quarter to get that momentum.
Taking a handoff at his own 20, Cairo running back Reginald Bryant cut outside and broke two tackles as he sprinted up the sideline for an 80-yard score.
The touchdown sparked an offensive avalanche from Cairo, which created scoring plays of 80, 48, 36 and 61 yards during the quarter en route to a 42-14 lead. Big plays helped the Syrupmakers finish with 507 yards of offense, including 386 on the ground. Bryant did most of the damage, carrying 13 times for 221 yards and two touchdowns.
"It just got away from us in the second half," Christmas said. "If we play that game several times, it might be different."
The Trojans managed 201 yards of their own on the ground, but no individual gained more than 61 yards.
North Hall refused to quit, pulling within 42-21 on Hunter Wolf's 9-yard touchdown run with two minutes left, but it was too late to stem the tide.
Thursday
April 25th, 2024
10:19PM
