GAINESVILLE — The turf and video board at The Brickyard are set to give North Hall football fans a glimpse of something shiny and new. Is the Trojans' offense set to do the same in 2018?
Quite possibly.
That is not to say that coach David Bishop has gone all mad scientist, burned his wing-T playbook and installed a five-wide set. No the Trojans are still very much wing-T ground attack. But with so many veterans manning the backfield and receiver positions, Bishop and his staff are licking their collective chops about the possibilities of opening up the playbook and giving their players more options.
"Since 2008 I've had a spread version of what we do, and we're going to be able to do a lot of that this season," Bishop said. "We'll be more Auburn-looking with some run-pass-option [RPO] stuff."
Thanks to senior quarterback David Seavey and a deep group of running backs led by Daniel Jackson and Drew Faulkner, the Trojans are set to test defenses of Region 7-3A with something a little different -- even if it is still very much based around a pounding rush attack.
North Hall has also gotten bigger on both lines of scrimmage -- from an average of 195 pounds in 2017 to 250 in '18 according to Bishop -- though building depth on both sides is a huge key for the Trojans going forward.
Meanwhile, the defense features the same level of talent and experience. It's no wonder Bishop used the words "cautiously optimistic," when talking about the 2018 campaign at The Brickyard.
NORTH HALL: NEED TO KNOW
- MASCOT: Trojans
- TEAM COLORS: Green and White
- CURRENT REGION: 7-3A
- HEAD COACH/RECORD AT SCHOOL: David Bishop, fifth season, 18-25
- 2017 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 4-7, reached first round Class 3A playoffs
- KEY LOSSES: HB/DB Cutter Sanford, RB/LB Jack Brown, WR/DB Noah Holman, RB Peyton Mavity, PK/P Joel Barrientos
- OFFENSIVE STYLE: Wing-T -- The Trojans will continue to rely on their tried-and-true run-based attack, however fans may expect to see a few more wrinkles and RPO plays this season thanks to a plethora of veteran talent that both knows the offense and has the ability to break big plays. The backfield should be loaded, going 6-deep at the running back spots, while the quarterback position is manned by a hard-nosed leader and playmaker. The offensive line is less experienced overall but is also bigger and stronger than last season. Dan Pritchard is the new offensive coordinator but one well familar with coach David Bishop after working together in Virginia for several seasons before Bishop came to Georgia.
- KEY OFFENSIVE PLAYERS: 7 returning starters -- Sr. HB Daniel Jackson, Sr. QB David Seavey, Sr. RB Drew Faulkner, Sr. OL Logan Jackson, Jr. WR Luke Volle
- DEFENSIVE STYLE: 4-3 -- Defensive coordinator Stuart Cunningham enters his sixth season with the program and will shape his defense to provide more looks than recent seasons thanks to the number of veterans returning. North Hall will also be a bit more aggressive than last year, looking to disrupt opposing attacks with negative yardage plays.
- KEY DEFENSIVE PLAYERS: 8 returning starters -- Sr. Saf Daniel Jackson, Sr. OLB David Seavey, Sr. Saf Drew Faulkner, Sr. DL Logan Jackson, Jr. CB Luke Volle, Jr. DL Austin Sullens
- SPECIAL TEAMS: Sr. PK Erin Sanchez, Sr. P David Seavey or Sr. P Erin Sanchez
- STRENGTH: Leadership/skilled positions -- The Trojans are almost giddy about the options they have in the offensive backfield and what that will mean for opening up the playbook. And they also know that they can depend on a tough psyche of a group that endured trial by fire last season and came out stronger for it on the back end of the campaign, winning 4 of their last 6 contests. The same goes for the defense, which contains playmakers and leaders on each level.
- QUESTION: Depth on the line of scrimmage -- North Hall is bigger and stronger in the trenches than last season, but those starters may have to play a lot of snaps as the back-ups slowly gain varsity experience. Avoiding early injuries along the line could be a key for the Trojans.
- KEY GAMES: North Hall faces just two of the same four non-region foes it battled in 2017 -- and the Trojans went winless in non-region last season so getting a victory over Chestatee in the opener (Aug. 17, home) and against White County (Sept. 14, away) would do a lot to get momentum rolling before the 7-3A slate. The behemoth of 7-3A lies in wait on Sept. 28, but the Trojans get 2017 state semifinalist Greater Atlanta Christian at home and then end the regular season against a strong Dawson County program on Nov. 2 in Dawsonville. Win one or more of those two and North Hall could have a shot at getting a home playoff game.
- TRENDING: Last season showed just how well-coached North Hall players are, as a young Trojans team took it on the chin early, losing four straight (games three and four were toss-ups), only to storm down the stretch and notch North Hall's third straight state playoff berth as they caught up to varsity speed. Bishop's staff has undoubtedly put North Hall back on an upward trend after missing out on the state playoffs in 2014. Now the goal is to start making some postseason noise again. The Trojans last won a state game in 2012 when they reached the Class 3A semifinals. The key could lie in getting a home playoff contest(s) as North Hall has yet to win a postseason game away from The Brickyard. That said, Bishop also knows it is beyond time for that streak to end, and this year's veteran-laden team is focused on success -- no matter the location.
2018 SCHEDULE
Aug. 17 vs. Chestatee
Aug. 24 at Jackson County
Aug. 31 vs. Cherokee
Sept. 14 at White County
Sept. 21 at Cherokee Bluff*
Sept. 28 vs. Greater Atlanta Christian*
Oct. 12 vs. Fannin County*
Oct. 19 vs. Lumpkin County*
Oct. 26 at East Hall*
Nov. 2 at Dawson County*
*- Indicates region contest
(All kickoffs scheduled for 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted)
