The Trojans fell behind Carrollton by 21 points early in the third quarter and then saw a furious fourth quarter rally fall short in a 28-20 loss at The Brickyard.
Carrollton moves on to play the winner of the Spalding-Grayson game.
The game turned on North Hall in about a five minute span. After apparently being stopped on downs, Carrollton's Michael Hilbert took a fake punt snap 38 yards for a touchdown then Carrollton returned a North Hall punt the next time it touched the ball for a quick 21-0 lead.
North Hall (9-2) finally got on the board when Shane Norman took the ensuing kickoff 70-yards to cut the lead to 21-7. The Trojans then cut the lead to 21-14 early in the fourth quarter on a 5-yard TD run by T.J. Pitts.
But North Hall could not get any closer. After Carrollton (8-3) scored to push the lead back to 14 points, Michael Christmas scored on a 6-yard run to make it 28-20 after a missed extra point.
The Trojans just missed recovering the ensuing on-side kick and then almost recovered a Carrollton fumble with under a minute go.
North Hall coach Bob Christmas said he pleased with his team despite the loss. Last year North hall was whipped by Cedartown 41-7.
"I can't be more proud of a team than I am with this squad," Christmas said. "They accomplished a lot things nobody else at this school has ever been able to do. We would've liked to have won but it just didn't happen. (Carrollton) has a great football team."
The wins (9) are the most by any North Hall team in a season and it was the first-ever home playoff game for the Trojans.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2003/11/168446