GAINESVILLE — Come Friday, it will be North Hall’s chance to see if it can slow down what has so far been a dominant and punishing Jefferson ground game.
But Trojans coach David Bishop said that’s not his team's biggest priority as it prepares to open the 2015 campaign on the road against the Dragons (2-0). Rather it is to focus on Game 1: North Hall is the last team in northeast Georgia to get its season started.
Kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.m. and will be broadcast live on WDUN 102.9 FM.
“Jefferson has two games in hand and already looks in midseason form, especially with its running attack,” Bishop said. “I don’t know if anyone can really stop them right now. But our focus is really about what we do and how can we get better.”
Bishop is entering his second season as Trojans coach and they installed a new/old offense in the offseason in the wing-T. That offense was a huge part of North Hall’s unprecedented program success over the previous decade.
But of course, with anything new (or old in this case), there is always a learning curve.
“The coaches know the offense but most of the kids we have haven’t run it since perhaps pee-wee days,” Bishop said. “They’re still learning how to run it and make the proper reads. It takes time.”
Time is something they have, at least in a small dose, as they look to their Region 8-AAAA opener against Stephens County later in the month. But between now and then the Trojans have one of the toughest non-region schedules in all of Class AAAA. After Jefferson North Hall takes on West Hall and Carrollton in non-region action, not to mention Stephens, North Oconee, and Buford to start its region schedule immediately following.
“Our schedule was rated fifth-hardest last year and it has to be at least that high this year,” Bishop said. “It’s a tough schedule. I think we’re more ready to handle it this year but we’re still a team that is learning and growing.
“We’re more experienced this year than last year but with the new offense it almost seems like we’re still inexperienced to a certain degree. I think our defense and special teams will be better this year. Our focus is on getting better doing the things we can do well. We had a lot of young guys get a lot of playing time so they know more of what to expect this year.”
However, when pushed on how they plan to slow down the Dragons and running back Colby Wood, who has over 500 yards rushing in two games, Bishop said it was simple, at least in theory.
“Keep the ball out of his (Wood's) hands,” Bishop said. “We will have to control the ball on long drives and keep our defense and their offense off the field. We had two really good drives during the scrimmages where we kept the ball for eight or nine minutes each. That is the key for us. But we also have to get points out of it.”
Juniors Maddox Turner and Kyle Bacus, along with senior Sam Jackson and sophomore Cutter Sanford, offer the Trojans a stable of dependable running backs as well.
Bishop said his defense will have to find ways to do what neither Rabun County nor Winder-Barrow could do: slow Jefferson on the ground.
“We’ll have to take some chances on defense because their front is so good,” Bishop said. I don’t know if we can go straight at them; I’m not sure of many who can. It will be a huge challenge for us. But it’s what we want in our non-region schedule.”
One key element that will be limited is Drew Atha. The senior quarterback was injured in the preseason and is just now getting back out on the practice field. Junior Jackson Madonna -- who also played extensively last season when Atha also battled injury -- stood in in his place during the two fall scrimmages and Bishop said Atha will get some snaps under center.
“Drew is progressing well. He got some reps in this week and he’ll play some out on the field, mostly on defense,” Bishop said. “We’ll probably start Jackson (at quarterback) but Drew will get some action during the game.”
The opener also begins a 10-week race to the finish for North Hall. The Trojans took their bye week on Aug 28 (Week 1) but Bishop feels that can work to his team's advantage.
“We didn’t necessarily plan it this way, it just kind of worked out like this,” he said. “We won’t have any time for a break or to let up so hopefully this will help keep us focused every week. If we’re playing well we’ll get to keep riding the momentum.
“But again, our focus is on what we’re doing each week. Our goal is to get better each week and be in the playoff race. I think we’re better equipped in many ways than last year to do that. Now we just need to get started and see where we are.”
