MURRAYVILLE - How do you follow the best season in school history?
The North Hall Trojans, coming off their first Region 7-AAA championship and a run to the quarterfinals of the Class AAA playoffs in 2004, will find out in 2005.
North Hall head coach Bob Christmas will be coaching in his 31st year and is coming off a 12-1 record.The Trojans lost 14-7 to Washington County in the third round.
Christmas has brought the Trojans from a down-and-out team when he arrived five years ago, to a powerhouse in Region 7-AAA. Each of the past three seasons the Trojans have shown improvement and have set new school records for wins in each of those seasons.
One of the key players from last years team was running back T.J Pitts. Pitts was one of the top backs in the State of Georgia. He led the region in rushing yards with 2422 yards and touchdowns with 28. He averaged 186 yards a game with an 11 yard per carry average.
Pitts will play for Memphis this year and be back up to DeAngelo Williams. With the loss of Pitts the Trojans will be looking for someone to step into the running back position.
Coach Christmas said the offense will be run a little different now that Pitts is gone.
"He (Pitts) was the AAA player of the year. The offense will take on a little bit of a different look this year. We probably won't be looking to breaking 70-yard runs this year. We will look to control the ball," Christmas said.
Christmas said they will lean heavily on their star quarterback Brandon Garcia. Last year was Garcia's first year as the starting quarterback,.
He had a 58.8 percent pass completion/attempts ratio and threw for over 1,000 yards and 13 touchdowns. If Garcia continues to improve and takes his play to the next level, he will turn some heads.
Beau Whitmire, Bradley Bernard, and Jordan Stephens all graduated and will be key losses for the Trojans.
The Trojan's defense, which was a major part of their 12-1 season last year, could be even better this year, according to Christmas.
"Last year the defense only gave up an average of 13 points per game. This year the defensive stats may be better. We only return two on defense so we will have our work cut out for us," Christmas said.
The two returning starters on defense for the Trojans are cornerback Joe Gardner and outside linebacker Sam Fishaber. Fishaber had 51 tackles last year along with two interceptions. The Trojans will be leaning on this two players during the season.
Outside linebacker Ethan Townsend and Free Safety Casey Hall look to get a lot of playing time this year.
On offense the Trojans return two other starters besides Garcia. Center Wake Vicky returns along with tight end Derrick Rich. Rich had 19 receptions for 236 yards last year. In all, the Trojans lost 17 of their possible 22 starters.
North Hall also lost their quarterbacks coach, Glenn Inverso, this year. He and his family moved back to California. Coach Christmas take over coaching the quarterbacks.
The Trojans have a new linebackers coach and running backs coach. Brian Smith, who came from White County, will be coaching the linebackers and Joe Bradshaw from Eastside-Covington will coach the running backs.
The Trojans have three players that transfered in and will be playing this fall. Outside linebacker Ethan Chafin comes from Flowery Branch, Tyler Jackson and Jesse Stephens come from Lumpkin County. Jackson plays running back and inside linebacker and Stephens plays offensive line and defensive line.
The Trojans lost running back/linebacker Jason Williamson, who transfered to Riverside. Christmas said Williamson was a good player, "He was a good boy, we're going to miss him," Christmas said.
2005 SCHEDULE
Region 7-AAA
Friday Aug 19, Home vs East Hall (8-AA)
Friday Aug 26, away at Johnson - region
Friday Sept 2, Open
Friday Sept 9, Home vs Gainesville - region
Friday Sept 16, away at Flowery Branch -region
Friday Sept 23, Home vs Fannin Co. - region
Friday Sept 30, away at Pickens Co. - region
Friday Oct. 07, Home vs Chestatee - region
Friday Oct. 14, away at Gilmer - region
Friday Oct. 21, Home vs West Hall - region
Friday Oct. 28, away at White Co. - region
Thursday
June 12th, 2025
5:16AM
