COAL MOUNTAIN — It has been a rough two seasons for North Forsyth, which has won just three games -- mostly due to a slew of injuries to key players -- since a playoff run in 2013.
But that has not deterred new coach Robert Craft, who came from Tallahassee, Fla., where he led powerful North Florida Christian for the past six years.
"We have some talent here," he said. "We had a good July and first week of fall. We have a lot of hard-working kids that want to compete. It will take a little time, though, for us to get everything we like to do to be put into place."
Craft and his staff are moving the Raiders to a spread attack on offense and will employ an aggressive 4-3, gap-control defense. The defense, which has six returning starters and most of its front-seven, may have to carry the team early as the offense has just three returning starters and is having to replacing four across the line.
The defensive front will have experience with seniors Michael Bun, Chris Cutter, and Mason Wacker all back. Seniors Griffin Hughes and Shaun Herock lead a good linebacking group, and seniors Bradley Thomas and Robert Bishop anchor the secondary.
The Raiders are looking to replace several skilled positions on offense, including at quarterback and at running back. But, senior wide receiver Simon Holcomb and senior tight end Nick Lanier offer two good targets to throw too. Seniors Austin Kennedy and Dakota Bryant are the only other returning players on offense.
However, Craft would not reval who would start at quarterback and said "several guys" are vying for the position.
NORTH FORSYTH: NEED TO KNOW
- MASCOT: Raiders
- TEAM COLORS: Black, Silver and Purple
- CURRENT REGION: 5-AAAAAAA
- HEAD COACH/RECORD AT SCHOOL: Robert Craft, first season
- 2015 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 2-8
- KEY LOSSES: C Jackson Bardall, QB Jacob Bailey, TE Caleb Byrd, OL Will Andrews, RB Cody Dwyer, WR Jordan Palms, OL Cameron Collins, OL Carson Papp, OL Seth Collett, PK/P Jacob Whitten
- OFFENSIVE STYLE: Spread -- The Raiders want to be a downhill team running the ball while pushing the ball vertically through the air
- KEY OFFENSIVE PLAYERS: 3 returning starters -- Sr. WR Simon Holcomb, Sr. OL Austin Kennedy, Sr. OL Dakota Bryant, Sr. TE Nick Lanier
- DEFENSIVE STYLE: 4-3 -- North Forsyth will play an aggressive gap-control defense
- KEY DEFENSIVE PLAYERS: 6 returning starters -- Sr. DT Michael Bun, Sr. LB Griffin Hughes, Sr. DE Chris Cutter, Sr. DB Bradley Thomas, Sr. NG Mason Wacker, Sr. S Robert Bishop, Sr. LB Shaun Herock
- SPECIAL TEAMS: Jr. PK Arthur Boyzo, Sr. KR Simon Holcomb, looking at several candidates to punt
- STRENGTH: Linebackers/secondary -- The Raiders defensive back seven should be talented and experienced to go with an overall solid senior leadership within the group.
- QUESTION: Learning curve -- Taking in new offensive and defensive schemes and replacing four starters on the offensive line could take some time.
- KEY GAMES: Craft wants to use the non-region schedule to build confidence for North's Region 5-AAAAAAA opener vs. old rival Forsyth Central, which the Raiders have not played since 2013. North kicks off the season against back-to-back opponents that posted 4-6 records last season in Sequoyah and Johns Creek before taking on two straight playoff teams from 2015 in Loganville in Pickens. The Oct. 14-28 schedule promises to be very tough, as the Raiders face three straight playoff foes, including a South Forsyth team that reached the quarterfinals in 2015.
- TRENDING: The Raiders have been hit hard by injury the past two seasons but return several experienced lettermen on both sides of the ball. Some early wins could help build confidence in what should be a tough region. But it may take another year or two for them to challenge for a region title. North has struggled for consistency over the past decade but certainly can produce talent and victories.
2016 SCHEDULE
Aug. 19 vs. Sequoyah
Aug. 26 at Johns Creek
Sept. 2 at Loganville
Sept. 16 vs. Pickens
Sept. 23 at Woodstock
Oct. 7 vs. *Forsyth Central
Oct. 14 vs. *Lambert
Oct. 21 at *South Forsyth
Oct. 28 at *West Forsyth
Nov. 4 vs. *Milton
*- Indicates region game
(All kickoffs scheduled for 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted)
