GAINESVILLE — North Hall football got its season off to a winning start on Friday -- by the skin of its teeth.
The Trojans held firm inside their own 25-yard line as time expired to fend off a determined and new-look Chestatee squad, 35-28 at The Brickyard.
It was a hair-raising finish for North Hall, which led for most of the contest but watched as a War Eagles (0-1) team under new head coach Shaun Conley refused to yield, matching each Trojans (1-0) score in the second half and moving as close as the North Hall 17-yard line before succumbing.
Chestatee's Nick Lyles gave the visitors an explosive start, shedding a tackle in the end zone before sprinting for a 97-yard touchdown and a 7-0 lead. It was part of a huge night for the War Eagles running back, who rushed 23 times for 210 yards and two scores, as well as catching two passes for 67 yards and a touchdown.
Kyle Bacus was not about to be one-upped, however. The Trojans running back produced his own impressive performance, rushing 31 times for 187 yards and three touchdowns. The senior's 43-yard touchdown run in the second quarter put North Hall in front for good -- making it 14-7 after Trojans quarterback Jackson Madonna found Josh Parrish on a five-yard scoring strike in the first quarter to tie the game.
Madonna struck again in the second quarter, hooking up with Maddox Turner for a 27-yard touchdown that made it 21-7 at the half.
Chestatee was far from finished. The War Eagles came up with their own big play through the air early in the third quarter when Storm Yarbrough connected with Baylee Camp for a touchdown pass that made it 21-13 (North Hall blocked the point after attempt).
From there it was a fight to the finish -- and North Hall held on just long enough, as Chestatee raced to the shadow of the Trojans' goal line before a sack on Yarbrough sealed the outcome.
Yarbrough finished the night with 8 completions on 17 attempts for 205 yards, 2 touchdowns an interception -- Camp caught five of the passes for 125 yards.
North Hall offset those gains with its rushing attack, rolling up 368 yards on the ground -- though two turnovers helped Chestatee back into the contest.
North Hall travels to face Flowery Branch next week (for the Falcons' season opener).
Chestatee, meanwhile, will travel to East Hall, which will also be looking for its first win of the season.
