GAINESVILLE — It was not the offenisve explosion White County has come to expect so far this season, but Kaleb Crane was still very much on form for the Warriors on Friday.
Crane rushed 26 times for 209 yards and two touchdowns to help White County bounce back from a slow start en route to a 28-18 victory over North Hall at The Brickyard.
Both of Crane's scoring runs came on fourth down and helped turn away a determined effort from the Trojans (0-4) after they jumped in front 10-0 in the first quarter.
Joel Barrientos drilled a field goal and David Seavey connected with Daniel Jackson for a 68-yard touchdown pass to get North Hall off to an impressive start. But the Warriors (4-1) -- and freshman quarterback J Ben Haynes -- began to find their rhythm before halftime. Haynes scored from one yard out and then connected with Austin Roland on a 7-yard touchdown pass to give White County a 14-10 advantage at the interval -- a scoreline that stood until the fourth quarter.
Crane got into the end zone to open the final quarter, ripping off a 36-yard touchdown run on fourth and 15 for a 21-10 White County lead.
North Hall answered through a 6-yard Peyton Mavity touchdown run and 2-point conversion pass to Noah Holman, pulling within 21-18 -- only to watch Crane ice it on another fourth down touchdown run -- this time bulling his way into the end zone from 18 yards.
Bailey Anderson also rushed nine times for 53 yards for White County, while Haynes completed 12 of 15 passes for 123 yards, a touchdown and an interception. Ty Ulrich caught five passes for 62 yards.
Mavity led North Hall with 10 carries for 64 yards, while Jack Brown added 57 yards on 15 carries. Seavey completed 6 of 7 passes for 100 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions.
The Trojans will opem region play next week against Fannin County in Gainesville.
White County, meanwhile, will play host to Dawson County in a non-region contest.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2017/9/583537/crane-leads-white-county-fightback-over-north-hall