Game of the Week: Trojans look to avenge last season's 34-0 loss to Stephens County

GAINESVILLE — To fully explain the maturity of North Hall, you must go back to the beginning of summer practice last season. 

The Trojans were not on anyone’s radar. Inexperience was abundant because graduation, supposedly, had decimated the program. Then, throw COVID-19 into the mix. It was a recipe for disaster. 

And three games into the season, the team’s hypothetical disaster had become a reality, losing to Paulding, Stephens and Hart County by an average of 28 points. 

But something changed after Week 5, Game 4. The Trojans reeled off three straight wins, while averaging more than 35 points per game, and were suddenly at the top of the Region 7-3A standings. Those three games catapulted the Trojans on a path to the No. 2 seed in the Class 3A playoffs and a second-round berth. 

Now, spin the clock forward to Week 2 of the 2021 season, and the Trojans are 1-0, and even though on the same path as last season, the results are already different.  

North Hall defensive coordinator Stuart Cunningham, who’s in charge until head coach David Bishop returns, said the reason for the change is the team’s overall improvement.

“The improvement has come because last year, at this time, we weren’t very good,” Cunningham said. “And we had some guys that hadn’t proved themselves on the field and they had the season to get better. Now, we’ve had almost a normal summer. It’s showing up because those guys have more experience now. They already had experience from last year, but we just have a lot more now and things are starting to click for us.” 

And boy did it click for them on Friday at Paulding County. The Trojans rolled up 346 yards of offense, with more than half of those coming from senior running back Kevin Rochester, who had a bruising 248 yards rushing. They’ll take that momentum into the Stephens County game at The Brickyard at Lynn Cottrell Stadium on Friday. You can hear the game live on FM 102.9 WDUN.

Stephens County outpaced White County in the second half in Week 1 to beat the Warriors 34-20. TJ Everett was key in the Indians' win, rushing 17 times for 120 yards. Quarterback Ben Stowe was efficient in the passing game hitting 8-of-12 targets for 99 passing yards and had 69 yards on the ground. He also passed and rushed for a touchdown. 

It’s something that Cunningham has already scouted in his film room sessions this week. He said Stephens County has several players that can change the game. 

“They are a very explosive team,” Cunningham said. “They’re coached well. Their coaches know what they’re doing, and they’re passionate – you can see it in their players.”

Defensively, the Trojans shut down Paulding’s rushing attack, but the Patriots tallied 239 yards through the air. This week, the defense will have to slow down both Stephens County's ability to run and pass the ball effectively.  

“We’re going to have to play a whole lot better to keep that offense in check,” Cunningham said. “Honestly, you can’t even keep up with all the kids they have carrying the ball. They’ve got quite a few that are really potent on that side of the ball.”