COAL MOUNTAIN — Probably no team in northeast Georgia was hit harder by injury in 2014 than North Forsyth. The Raiders had four players suffer season-ending ACL tears and at one point played 28 underclassmen that were second-string or lower on the depth chart.
But coach Jason Galt said they are putting all that behind them as they look to get back their winning ways after a playoff run in 2013.
"The good thing out of all that was that we were forced to play a lot of young guys, and they got some valuable varsity experience," Galt said. "Hopefully we can stay healthy this year."
The Raiders' potent ground game should be back with an experienced group up front and a deep backfield. The defense, however, will have to replace the entire linebacker corps.
If they are able to get some early wins, home games against Habersham Central and Alpharetta to close out the regular season could loom large.
NORTH FORSYTH: NEED TO KNOW
- MASCOT: Raiders
- TEAM COLORS: Black, Silver and Purple
- CURRENT REGION: 6-AAAAAA
- HEAD COACH/RECORD AT SCHOOL: Jason Galt, third season, 8-13
- 2014 RECORD/ ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 1-9
- KEY LOSSES: S Logan Cross, OL Andrew Johnson, WR Colton Miller, CB Noah Bieber
- OFFENSIVE STYLE: Double-wing -- North Forsyth puts an emphasis on a punishing ground game but will throw when necessary.
- KEY OFFENSIVE PLAYERS: 6 returning starters -- Sr. C Jackson Bardall, Sr. QB Jacob Bailey, Sr. TE Caleb Byrd, Sr. OL Will Andrews, Sr. RB Cody Dwyer, Sr. WR Jordan Palms, Sr. OL Cameron Collins, Sr. TE Alex Clark, Sr. OL Carson Papp, Sr. OL Seth Collett
- DEFENSIVE STYLE: 3-4 -- the Raiders like to attack but will play read-and-react depending on the opponent.
- KEY DEFENSIVE PLAYERS: 5 returning starters -- Jr. DT Michael Bun, Jr. LB Griffin Hughes, Jr. DT Dakota Bryant, Sr. LB Steven Leventhal, Sr. DB Zach Griffin, Jr. LB Chris Cutter, Jr. DB Bradley Thomas, Jr. NG Mason Wacker, Jr. S Robert Bishop
- SPECIAL TEAMS: Sr. PK/P Jacob Whitten, Jr. KR Simon Holcomb
- STRENGTH: Offense/special teams -- The Raiders have four returning offensive line starters and an experienced backfield. The kicking game is solid as well with All-Region kicker Whitten, and Holcomb, who also plays on offense and defense.
- QUESTION: Linebackers -- They are inexperienced behind the front three after graduation and position changes from 2014.
- KEY GAMES: A quick start to the region is critical for the Raiders, who are looking for confidence. Rivals Lambert and West Forsyth in back-to-back weeks could decide their playoff fate.
- TRENDING: The Raiders were trending up until last season with a winning season and a playoff berth in Galt's first season in 2013. But injuries decimated them in 2014. Look for a rebound for the Raiders in 2015 with several key offensive cogs back from injury to go with an experienced group up front.
2015 SCHEDULE
Aug. 28 vs. Cherokee
Sept. 4 at *Chattahoochee
Sept. 11 at *Northview
Sept. 18 vs. *South Forsyth
Sept. 25 at *Lambert
Oct. 9 vs. *West Forsyth
Oct. 16 at *Johns Creek
Oct. 23 at *Centennial
Oct. 30 vs. *Habersham Central
Nov. 6 vs. *Alpharetta
*- indicates region game
(All kickoffs scheduled for 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted)
