Surging North Hall scored 42 unanswered points over the final 36 minutes to clinch a playoff spot, as they beat slumping Chestatee 49-7 at War Eagle Stadium, securing a state playoff spot in the process.
It looked promising for Chestatee (4-4 overall, 3-2 7A-AAA), as they drove 73 yards on their third possession of the game, capped off by a 38-yard run by quarterback Lamar Brooks.
The score tied the game 7-7.
Tenth-ranked North Hall (6-2, 4-0) started the scoring with a six-yard touchdown run by Peyton Wilhoite in the first quarter.
But after Brooks's long run, the game turned... and turned fast.
The Trojans scored on their next five possessions, and also added a safety, as they poured on the points.
North Hall quarterback Nathan Jones threw just one pass in the first half -- a 25-yard strike to tight end Trevor Ross to answer Chestatee's touchdown and give his team a 14-7 lead.
After a bad snap over the punter's head on Chestatee's next possession led to a safety, the Trojans struck again.
This time, it was backup quarterback Kanler Coker scoring on a 26-yard touchdown run to make it 23-7 at halftime.
The War Eagles came out in the second half, and failed on an onside kick to start the third quarter.
On the very next play Jones hit Ben Booth for a 50-yard touchdown strike and a 30-7 lead.
Chestatee's very next play from scrimmage turned into one of four fumbles on the night for the War Eagles. The Trojans took over at Chestatee's 15-yard line.
Robert Humphrey capped off the short drive with a two-yard touchdown run.
Booth later added a 75-yard touchdown run, increasing North Hall's lead to 43-7.
Booth touched the ball just twice on offense in the game--once for the 50-yard touchdown run, and the other the long TD run.
The Trojans finished their scoring with a 16-yard touchdown run by Mack VanGorder in the fourth quarter.
While the North Hall offense was racking up 294 rushing yards in the game, the defense was holding the War Eagles to more than 100 rushing yards under their average.
After Chestatee's touchdown in the second quarter, the War Eagles had nine more possessions. They punted on five of them. Chestatee was held to just 57 yards of total offense in the second half.
Ben Souther led the way for the War Eagles, finishing with 83 rushing yards.
The night, though, belonged to the Trojans.
Seven different players had at least 20 rushing yards in the game, led by Booth's 75 yards and Wilhoite's 74 yards.
Jones was 2-2 passing for 75 yards and two touchdowns.
North Hall returns home next week to take on Gilmer. Chestatee finishes the season with two road games, and they will need both if they want to make a trip to the playoffs.
Next week, the War Eagles travel to West Forsyth before closing out the season at Creekview.
Chestatee running back Ben Souther lunges for a loose ball during the War Eagles loss to North Hall on Friday night at Chestatee.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2009/10/224216