GAINESVILLE -- Look up the definition of "turnover" in the dictionary this fall and you might find the 2014 North Hall football team as part of the description.<br />
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Thanks to a new head coach, new defensive coordinator, new region schedule and -- most eye-raising -- 21 new starters combined on offense and defense the Trojans could certainly qualify for entry.<br />
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What North Hall hopes to show this season, however, is that the results will be more like the definition of North Hall football for the past 12 years -- successful.<br />
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David Bishop certainly knows what it takes to win with the Trojans, and -- after acting as North Hall's offensive coordinator under previous head coach Bob Christmas -- Bishop says that the foundation installed on Christmas' watch will continue to serve the program well.<br />
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"No matter what we do we have certain core values that have been here since we got here (in 2001)," Bishop said. "Faith, family, school and football will always be what we base ourselves around."<br />
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Bishop will also maintain the base of offensive and defensive systems under use in Christmas' last seasons before the winningest coach (by far) in Trojans history left for another coaching job in Virginia.<br />
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And while the schedule that lies in wait in 2014 includes some of the best programs in northeast Georgia -- and the state -- they are not foes unfamiliar to North Hall.<br />
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There is no denying, however, the changes in store in playing personnel.<br />
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The Trojans must replace one of the largest senior classes in school history (24 members) -- and will do so with a team that features just nine fourth-year players, eight of whom did not start in 2013.<br />
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"Last year the senior depth was so large that we had back-ups that were seniors," Bishop said. "It's going to be a challenge for sure, but I think people here see it as an opportunity to play."<br />
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In fact, North Hall's players are using the turnover they face this season as motivation.<br />
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"I told them, 'people keep throwing around the word 'rebuilding' at you,' and I think they're taking it as a chip on their shoulder and are working harder because of it," said Bishop, who says that effort has not been a issue for his players this summer. "They've worked as hard as I've ever seen a team work. And I challenged them this summer. We really worked on mental toughness because things aren't going to always go their way on Friday nights, and when that happens they need to know how to handle it."<br />
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In fact, adversity has already struck the Trojans this preseason, with expected starter at quarterback Drew Atha going down with a stress fracture in his lower leg/foot. <br />
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Atha was in line to replace one of the top players in program history in graduated standout Andrew Smith and still may play this season, but the Trojans have turned to converted running back Maddox Turner in his absence.<br />
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"He's coming along well, and the biggest thing is that he's already commanding respect in the huddle," Bishop said of Turner, a sophomore. "You don't just replace an Andrew Smith, but we have a group of players willing to step into the breach and fight for each other."<br />
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Included in that group are running backs Austin Perry (6-foot-4, 220 pounds) and Bobby Medenhall and center Hayden Hughes -- the lone returning starter on offense. All three are seniors and will also play key roles on defense.<br />
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That defense will also feature some new aspects this season, as Trojans assistant and former Habersham Central head coach Stuart Cunningham takes over for departed coach Ronnie Eaves. <br />
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"Coach Cunningham has brought a little excitement to the kids with some of the new drills he's installed, and we're going to be a little more aggressive and quicker up front," Bishop said.<br />
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Players like Darrien Ingram and Jake Norris will be part of that attacking philosophy on the defensive line, while Hughes, Mendenhall and Colby Krepcio will feature at linebacker. Micah Strickland, Sam Jackson, Turner and Atha (when healthy) will key the secondary.<br />
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It is a group of players that will have two scrimmages and a bye during the first week of the season to get prepared for 2014 -- and it is a challenge that Bishop says is creating a lot of buzz.<br />
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"It won't be easy to follow coach Christmas; we talk weekly and he gives me advice," Bishop said. "But I'm putting my own fingerprints on the program, and it's exciting -- and, most importantly, the players are excited.<br />
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"There's a lot of fight in these kids."<br />
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They're going to have an opportunity to display that fight early and often in 2014.
