GAINESVILLE — North Hall won every statistical battle except one Friday night. Unfortunately, it was the only one that matters as the Trojans dropped a 14-13 heartbreaker to Stephens County at The Brickyard in both teams’ Region 8-AAAA openers.
North Hall (1-3, 0-1 Region 8-AAAA) ran nearly twice as many plays (55-32), outgained the Indians 375-108, and did not commit a single penalty.
But a second quarter fumble that Stephens County (3-1, 1-0) returned for a touchdown proved to be the difference.
The Indians scored first in the first quarter on a 8-yard run by Hassan Brown for a 7-0 lead. They extended it to 14-0 midway through the second on a 99-yard fumble return for a touchdown by Kole Rogers.
The Trojans climbed back into the game just over a minute later when Colby Miller capped a quick drive with a 30-yard scoring run to cut the lead to 14-7 by halftime.
It stayed that way until late in the fourth quarter when Drew Atha connected on a 80-yard touchdown pass with Sam Jackson to cut the lead to 14-13 with 3:31 left in the game. The extra point attempt, however, was no good and North Hall was not able to complete the comeback.
Sophomore Cutter Sanford paced North Hall with 72 yards on 13 carries. Jack Brown added 71 yards on just 4 carries.
Stephens County was held to just 114 yards on 30 rushes for the game and was just 1-of-2 passing for 4-yards.
