RABBITTOWN — Despite 332 yards passing from Austin Parker, the state's yardage leader, the North Hall defense held Parker and the high-powered East Hall offense to less than half of its season's average in taking a 31-20 victory at East Hall Stadium Friday night.
The win locked up third place for the Trojans (4-6, 4-2 Region 7-AAA) in their season-finale.
After East Hall's Cambren Harrison scored early in the third quarter to tie the game at 14, North Hall held the Vikings (5-4, 2-3) to just six points the rest of the way. Meanwhile, the Trojans offense, behind a punishing ground game that piled up 354 yards on the night, scored 17 consecutive points to take control.
East hall scored its final points with just 9 seconds left in the game.
"Defensively I thought we played as well as we have all season," North Hall coach David Bishop said. "To hold those guys to just 20 points in an outstanding effort."
The win also capped a solid finish to the season for the Trojans after an 0-4 start to the season. Bishop, whose group has a bye next week, said they will use that time to get healthy and rested.
"This group is still building but we haven't been been full strength all year and we're still not. This two weeks will be good for us to try and get some guys back that we'll need in the playoffs.
Cutter Sanford, who would have to leave the game with an injury, Jack Brown, Daniel Jackson, and David Seavy all had rushing touchdowns for North Hall. Brown led the way with 83 yards rushing with Sanford pounding out 81 before his injury. Seavy continued his efficient passing going 7-of-9 for 115 yards through the air.
Parker finished 24-of-39 for East Hall, which came into the game averaging over 46 points a game on the season. Harrison had 5 catches for 118 yards and Sedrion Morse had 8 receptions for 70 yards and a pair of touchdown catches for the Vikings.
East Hall, which will be the No. 4 seed from Region 7-AAA in the upcoming state tournament, closes out the regular season next week against Fannin County.
