CARNESVILLE — Some may have counted East Hall out when it opened the season 0-3.
Some may have counted the Vikings out when Franklin County opened up a 13-0 lead in their showdown oin Friday in Carnesville.
East Hall has not quit fighting this season, however, and the Vikings showed once more how they have resurrected their campaign by pulling off a 34-27 win over the Lions.
The victory kept East Hall (4-4, 3-1 Region 7-AAA) tied for first in the race for the 7-AAA title -- though Dawson County owns the head-to-head tiebreaker and will play Lumpkin County for the region crown next week. If the Tigers should slip up, however, you can be certain the Vikings will be there to take advantage. And after winning three straight contests, East Hall enters the stretch run with plenty of confidence.
"We took on that tough non-region schedule early to learn how to compete, and our kids now have a great inner feeling that they’re never out of it," East Hall coach Bryan Gray said. "I’ve got a great confidence in our kids, and it’s exciting."
The Vikings stormed back from the 13-0 deficit, taking a 20-13 lead -- only to watch Franklin pull back even at the interval, 20-20. The difference proved the third quarter, as receiver Jacquen Hopkins produced two touchdown catches. An 8-yard strike to Hopkins -- who finished with eight catches for 95 yards and three scores -- from quarterback Austin Parker gave the Vikings a 27-20 advantage. Then a 39-yard scoring hook-up between Hopkins and Markese Jackson made it 34-20.
Franklin County tried its own as Tyrique David ripped off a 43-yard touchdown run to pull within 34-27 with 1:51 left in the third quarter.
That was all that East Hall's defense would allow, however, shutting out the Lions the rest of the way.
"The last three games (our defense) has been exceptional," Gray said of a unit that allowed 375 yards rushing to Franklin County -- all rushing. "We’re undersized but we’re quick, and we’ve been getting great penetration from our defensive line. The secondary has also been lights out, and they’re a big reason why we’ve won three in a row."
The Vikings offense kept things balanced, passing for 195 yards -- Parker completed 22 of 26 attempts for two scores and an interception -- and rushing for 169, including 106 yards and two touchdowns on 24 carries for Jiel Vargas. Jackson also rushed for 57 yards. Vargas scored both of the second quarter touchdowns.
"We’re excited; we’re happy," Gray said. "We’re going to enjoy this and celebrate, and then we’ve got Fannin County next week, and they look like a whole different entity this season."
