CLERMONT, Ga. — After scoring 69 points last week, North Hall won a defensive struggle against Cherokee Bluff Friday night at The Brickyard, 14-12.
The win gave North Hall (2-3, 2-1 Region 8-4A) its first two-game win streak under coach Sean Pender and moved them within one-half game of first place in the region. The Bears (2-3, 2-1 Region 8-4A) had their two-game win streak snapped and dropped into a tie with the Trojans.
The Trojans scored first when Tanner Marsh called his own number and punched it in from five yards out to take the early 7-0 lead. The Bears answered late in the first half on a Max Eubanks 21-yard touchdown pass from Asher Wilson, but the PAT failed to allow North Hall to hold the one point lead at halftime.
North Hall got back on the board with just over eight minutes to play on a 68-yard pitch-and-catch from Marsh to Ryals Puryear to stretch the lead out to 14-6. Again, Cherokee Bluff answered with just under four minutes left on a Jhace Justice 8-yard touchdown catch, but the Trojan defense held on the two-point conversion to keep the score at 14-12. The Bears would recover a fumble and have a chance to kick a game winning field goal, but the kick was no good, giving the Trojans their second region win of the year.
Marsh finished 15-for-19 through the air for North Hall, tallying 146 yards and a pair of touchdowns, while Cherokee Bluff's Wilson was 10-of-21 for 143 yards and two touchdowns.
North Hall will travel to North Oconee next week, while Cherokee Bluff will host Cedar Shoals.
