Football: Broncos hold off NHall, clinch 1st-ever playoffs

GAINESVILLE, Ga. — As far as East Forsyth coach Brian Allison is concerned, his Broncos may already be the most playoff-tested team in the state.

And that's without officially playing their first-ever playoff game.

"We had to win last week. We had to win this week. We're 2-0 now," he said following the Broncos' thrilling 42-39 win over North Hall at The Brickyard on Friday night.

East Forsyth (7-3, 5-3 Region 8-4A) faced a must-win scenario to get into its first postseason. With just over two minutes left, it was looking bleak as North Hall (7-3, 5-3 Region 8-4A) had quickly marched down to the East Forsyth 21 looking for the go-ahead score.

But Cole Ferguson would make sure they got their chance. The senior defensive back picked off a Tanner Marsh pass in the end zone to preserve the win. The offense secured one first down in the final minute to run out the clock.

"The receiver ran an out pattern, but he cut up (into the end zone), and (Marsh) saw him open for a second, but I was able to jump it and make the play," Ferguson said. "I'm just grateful that I was able to help the team win."

Ferguson, who has been with the program since its infancy days, called it a dream come true.

"Coach Allison and the staff have accepted all of us, and it's just a great feeling knowing we're in the playoffs," he said. "I don't think this team has any limits. I think we have a chance."

Both teams will be on the road to open the Class 4A playoffs. East Forsyth, which finished as the No. 3 seed in Region 8-4A, will head to Region 5-4A No. 2 seed Luella (5-5), while the Trojans will head to 5-4A champion Stockbridge (8-2).

"I think it's awesome,' Allison said. "It's exciting, and we're excited about getting this opportunity."

"I believe we're a good football team, and I feel like we are a dangerous No. 4 seed," North Hall coach Sean Pender said. "We're in, but we would rather have had the 'W' and the No. 3 seed. We'll get ready for next week."

For those who love offensive showcases, this was the game for you. The two teams piled up 975 yards of offense -- 534 for the Broncos and 441 for the Trojans. They scored 31 combined points in the first quarter and 28 in the third.

"The kids sold their soul to it and had a great week of practice," Allison said about preparing his team for perhaps its most important game to date. "We made a few adjustments in the second half and looked better."

Both offenses had their way at times in the first half. North Hall scored on its first four drives, getting a 31-yard field goal from Akim Reyes, touchdown runs from Tate Ruth and Parker Carlton, and a 45-yard touchdown pass from Marsh to Ryals Puryear. The final two gave the Trojans a 24-14 lead early in the second quarter.

"We didn't look too good on defense in the first half," Allison said. "We knew it was going to be a chore to stop them."

East Forsyth got a 48-yard scoring run from Gus Martin following the Reyes field goal to take a 7-3 lead, and Martin scored again on a 1-yard run for a 14-10 lead late in the first quarter.

The North Hall defense took control in the second quarter, forcing two Broncos punts and getting a fumble, which they turned into Carlton's touchdown run.

But the Broncos' defense finally forced a North Hall punt on the Trojans' fifth possession of the first half. The East Forsyth offense responded with its best drive of the half, going 89 yards in 15 plays, with a huge 33-yard screen pass from Brock Szakacs to Martin that set up Troy Hoover's 3-yard blast into the end zone with just 14 seconds left to cut the lead to 24-21.

"That drive at the end of the half may have saved the game," Allison said.

In the third quarter, East Forsyth exploded for 21 points, with a pair of touchdown runs from Hoover sandwiched around a Szakacs to Cannon Hunter 22-yard touchdown pass for a 35-24 lead. But the Trojans did not go away.

On the next play following Szakacs's big pass play, Marsh ripped off a 65-yard touchdown run down the left sideline to cut the lead to 35-31. Hoover added his third scoring run on the Broncos' next drive to push the lead to 42-31 lead to end the third quarter.

The only score in the fourth came when Marsh found Breckan Kirby on an 8-yard TD pass and the ensuing 2-point conversion to cut it to the final score with just under nine minutes left.

The Broncos nearly answered right back but were stopped on downs at the Trojans 26 with 5:12 left. North Hall then drove deep into East Forsyth territory before Ferguson saved the day -- and the season.

"Cole just had a huge (interception) for us. Huge," Allison said. "That was the play of the game, no doubt."