North Hall coach Sean Pender is expecting anything and everything from East Forsyth.
East Forsyth coach Brian Allison said they may just get it.
“We’re going to do whatever we need to do and whatever is necessary to win the game,” Allison said. “We can’t afford to leave anything out there.”
“I’m sure (East Forsyth) won’t hold anything back,” Pender said. “I’m expecting them to pull out all the stops.”
The Broncos (6-3, 4-3 Region 8-4A) head to The Brickyard on Friday night in a do-or-die, must-win-scenario to get into their first-ever playoffs. A win gives them the No. 3 seed, with North Hall taking fourth. A loss, and they’ll be left preparing for their 2024 spring practice.
North Hall (7-2, 5-2 Region 8-4A) already has clinched a playoff berth. But there is still plenty for the Trojans to play for. Besides not finishing in the dreaded No. 4 spot, there is an outside chance they can claim the No. 2 seed. But they would need a win over the Broncos and have a struggling East Hall squad knock off Madison County.
Allison, whose team put up a season-high 51 points last week against Chestatee, feels his group has already entered the win-or-go-home playoff sweepstakes, though in an unofficial capacity.
“We had to win last week. We have to win this week. We’ve already been in playoff mode, really,” Allison said. “I thought we responded well last week. I expect our guys to be ready again (on Friday).”
With two offenses that have shown they can put up points in bunches, both defenses will be under pressure. However, both defenses have also shown they can make stops when needed.
Allison did not think they would have the luxury of duking it out in a defensive battle.
“(The North Hall) offense is so good, they’re going to get their points,” Allison said. “I feel we’re going to have to score some points, maybe a lot, to be able to beat them.”
The Trojans are averaging 31.78 points/game, while the Broncos are giving up just 14.89 ppg, which is 15th in Class 4A.
Senior quarterback Tanner Marsh has thrown for a school-record 1,528 yards and another school-record 17 TDs. But he also has tossed eight interceptions on the season. Marsh has rushed for 630 yards and 10 TDs. Receiver Ryals Puryear owns school records in a season with 62 catches for 631 yards and 7 TDs. Tate Ruth has rushed for 738 yards and 6 TDs for the Trojans.
The Broncos counter with a group that has 49 tackles for loss, including 14 sacks. They have forced 17 turnovers, including seven interceptions.
Junior linebacker Jeremiah Foote is having a huge year, leading the Broncos with 76 tackles, 8 TFL, two sacks, and has recovered two fumbles. Senior linebacker Cameron Frady has 74 tackles and 5 TFL to pace a hard-hitting East Forsyth group.
The North Hall defense, which was expected to be a work-in-progress, perhaps has been the backbone of the team in 2023. They have held teams to 17 points or less six times in nine games this season. The Trojans are a perfect 6-0 when doing so, including last week when the offense struggled with four turnovers and several untimely penalties.
“Our offense has got to get out of their turnover bug they’re in right now,” Pender said. “They’ll do something good and then have a penalty or something. We have to get better.
“Our defense has kept us in every game except maybe North Oconee. They have played very, very well most of the season.”
Senior North Hall linebackers Zeke Harris and Trey Patterson have combined for 129 tackles, 12 1/2 TFL, and two sacks. Harris also has picked off two passes.
Last week was a welcome sight for the Broncos. After averaging 38.2 ppg over the first half of the season, they had scored just 56 points (18.6 ppg) over their next three until last week.
East Forsyth has plenty of playmakers on offense, led by quarterback Brock Szackacs (1,205 yards, 9 TD, 6 INT) and running back Tripp Morris (1,079 yards, 7 TD, seven 100-yard games), who is expected back at full speed this week after missing last week.
“We’ve been really good at times and not-so-good at times, especially on offense,” Allison said. “We’re going to need to be more consistent, starting this week, if we want to get in the playoffs and win when we get there.
“We’ve been working to be competitive every game, every year. I feel that we have. But it would show a lot of people that we have (improved) if we can get into the playoffs. That’s always been our goal.”
