CLEVELAND — North Hall had every chance to let its perfect start to the season falter on Friday -- but the Trojans were not about to let go.
North Hall battled back from a 12-0 first half deficit to knock off White County 27-20 in Cleveland, scoring the decisive touchdown with just 1:01 remaining.
Trojans senior running back Daniel Jackson plunged into the end zone from three yards to cap a 17-play, 69-yard drive that took 8:39 off the clock and even the series with the Warriors at 23-23. Jackson finished the game with 11 rushes for 47 yards, including the game-winning score.
“It was a gutsy job by our kids to just keep fighting,” North Hall coach David Bishop said. “Our kids, when it came down to crunch time, did what they needed to do to win.”
North Hall stormed back on the strength of three third quarter touchdowns.
“At half, we talked about how we can play four quarters with anybody,” Bishop said. “That’s one thing our kids have done the last three games is win the third and fourth quarters. That’s just a testimony to the kids and the type of attitude and work ethic they have.”
The Trojans scored bagged their third quarter trio of scores over a span of eight minutes, pulling ahead 20-12. Senior running back Drew Faulkner scored the first, and senior quarterback David Seavey punched in the next two scores for North Hall.
Faulkner finished the game with 43 yards on 19 carries and one touchdown, and also caught two passes for 13 yards. Seavey ended up with 11 yards on seven carries and two touchdowns, and also completed four passes on five attempts for 29 yards. Junior running back JT Fair also added 65 yards on seven carries.
“You can’t key in on one kid,” Coach Bishop said. “All four of them have the ability to score from anywhere, and as a defense that makes it tough. I couldn’t be more proud of the way they handled things tonight.”
White County’s senior running back Jay Lepkoske, who ran for both Warrior touchdowns, had 16 carries for 80 yards and two touchdowns and caught three passes for 80 more yards.
White County pounced on a 12-0 lead via a nine-yard scoring run from Lepkoske, safety and a field goal. But a third quarter interception from North Hall's Luke Volle began to turn the tide as the Trojans found their rhythm.
The Trojans (4-0) look to stay undefeated next week as they travel to play at Cherokee Bluff (0-4) in their first region 7-3A game.
The Warriors (1-3) stay at home next week, but have their work cut out for them as Marist (3-1) comes to Cleveland for their Region 7-4A opener.
SCORING SUMMARY
NHHS.....0......0....20....7 -- 27
WCHS....0....12......0....8 -- 20
Second Quarter
W - Nine-yard run by Lepkoske (Clark kick) 0-7, 7:38
W - Safety, 0-9, 0:39
W - 30-yard field goal by Clark, 0-12, 0:00
Third Quarter
N - One-yard run by Faulkner (Sanchez kick) 7-12, 10:03
N - Two-yard run by Seavey (kick blocked) 13-12, 6:10
N - Two-yard run by Seavey (Sanchez kick) 20-12, 2:41
Fourth Quarter
W - 14-yard run by Lepkoske (Mintz pass from Haynes) 20-20, 9:40
N - Three-yard run by Jackson (Sanchez kick) 27-20, 1:01
