COAL MOUNTAIN — Belief can be a powerful thing. Just look to the North Forsyth football team for a prime example.
Over the past two seasons belief was in short supply as the Raiders mounted a 3-17 overall record and offered little resistance in the old Region 6-AAAAAA, going a combined 3-15.
Cue a new staff, led by Robert Craft, who had built a state champion in Florida, and the arrival of new systems and attitudes to Coal Mountain. Even so the Raiders returned just four starters on offense and were facing the prospect of having to replace four starters across the offensive line.
At the time Craft tried to temper expectations.
“It always takes a little time to get used to each other, and we’re replacing some key spots, including the line,” he said back in the summer. “The goal is to build a program. We just want to get better every day. Changing the attitude (on a program that has not had much success) is always a key element.”
Craft and his staff appear to have done just that. Last week’s impressive 28-15 win over rival Forsyth Central gave the Raiders (4-2, 1-0 Region 5-AAAAAAA) more wins in just six games than they had the past two seasons combined. It also set up a huge matchup Friday night with Lambert (3-3, 1-0) for what could be first place in the early region standings, depending on the outcome of the West Forsyth-Forsyth Central showdown.
The early success has been all about belief -- from players, coaches, and community. And while the ability to play defense and stop the opposition is almost always tied to any real success for most teams, it has been the play of the offense that has sparked the quick turnaround.
“We saw when we got here in the spring that the kids wanted to win. They were hungry for some success,” Craft said. “They just didn’t believe they could do it. Changing that mindset has been a big priority. We had to get to know the players and they had to get to know us. We had to sell the changes we wanted to make to them and the community. That can take time.”
The most noticeable changes were at quarterback, where junior Ben Bales won the starting job out of fall practice, and at running back, as they tried to implement a new spread attack. Bales has responded going 93-for-166 (56.6 percent) for 1,312 yards, 9 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions. He has leaned on dynamic senior receiver Simon Holcomb (39 rec., 638 yards, 5 TDs), who moved over from running back, to lead a talented group. Five different receivers have nine or more catches on the season. Running backs Griffin Heffington (Sr., 82 carries, 415 yards, 7 TDs) and Bryson Trigg (So., 86-384, 1 TD) have more than made for Holcomb's move to receiver -- and the graduated Cody Dwyer. Holcomb and Dwyer combined for 1,300 yards last season.
The line of Austin Kennedy, Dakota Bryant, Colt Walls, Jeremy James, Jake Murrah, Daniel Espinoza, and Parker Brinton has battled injuries most of the season. Friday’s game will be the first time all season the same five -- Kennedy, Murrah, Walls, James, and Bryant -- will start in consecutive games.
But, Craft said the early injuries have given the group some much-needed experience.
“You don’t like to see injuries, but as a result we have been able to build some depth with that group,” he said. “I think it has made that unit much stronger, and they have played well despite all the changes. Not enough credit is being given to these guys for our success so far.
“Austin returned last week for the first time since the Gainesville scrimmage. (The center) Colt has been the glue there and really done a good job of getting guys in the right places. They haven’t touched the brink of where they could be.”
So far, the Raiders have scored 152 points (25.3 points per game) after scoring just 188 total in all of 2015 and just 69 points in 2014. Only once, in a turnover-plagued 35-3 loss to Woodstock, have they been held to less than 21 points. Take out the Woodstock game and they have averaged 29.9 points a game.
And there is still plenty of room for improvement. Craft said they have been slowly feeding Bales more and more of the playbook.
“They hadn’t run this system before, and you can’t just throw it all out there,” he said. “Every week we’re giving (Ben) a little bit more of the playbook. He’s a smart kid and has really picked things up as we’ve added them. He’s growing and getting better, as is the whole group.”
Holcomb at one point was fifth in the state -- all classifications -- in receiving yards. He was 22nd going into last week’s game and should climb into the top 10 with the new numbers. Bales could climb back into the top 20 as well.
But, more than anything, a season-opening win over Sequoyah and then back-to-back wins over Loganville and Pickens -- the first win streak for the Raiders since 2013 -- gave the group the belief it needed.
“Like I said, you could tell they were hungry to win when we got here,” Craft said. “But winning some games during the season has built that belief that everyone always needs at some point. They are believing now that they can win every game. If you don’t think you can win, you probably won’t.”
Last week’s region-opening win against an old rival has given Craft, his staff, and the program as a whole something to build on. But is it too much success too quickly for a program still learning how to win?
“We’re playing well. We’re developing some consistency. But we’re not where I want us to get yet. That’s still still a work-in-progress,” Craft said. “You never know on the too-much, too-quick thing. But I don’t think it has affected these guys much.”
Based on low pre-season expectations and trying to rebuild a dormant program, if they don’t win another game after the strong strong, would the season still be a success?
“We didn't worry about wins and losses when we first got here. It was about building a program. But last week’s win has given us something to build on and a chance to make something of the season that probably not many people thought we would be in a position to do. I guess at this point if we didn't win another one it probably would be (a disappointment),” Craft said. “Now, it’s up to the kids to build on this and try to make something of the rest of the season. After what I have seen so far, I believe these kids can.”
LAMBERT at NORTH FORSYTH
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Raider Valley, Coal Mountain
-- LAMBERT (3-3, 1-0 Region 5-AAAAAAA): Defeated South Forsyth 28-20 last week
-- NORTH FORSYTH (4-2, 1-0 Region 5-AAAAAAA): Defeated Forsyth Central 28-15 last week
-- NOTABLE: Lambert leads series 4-0. The Longhorns won 42-14 in 2015. ... All four meetings have been since 2012 and this will be the fourth time they have met in Coal Mountain. ... A huge game for both teams. The Raiders begin a tough stretch with South Forsyth and West Forsyth to follow. A win for North Forsyth would give them control of their playoff fate. ... Only West Forsyth (5-1, 1-0) has more wins than the Raiders in the region.
