North Hall’s success in 2008 should be fair warning in regards to the upcoming season for the rest of Region 7-AAA. During an admitted rebuilding season under ninth-year Trojans coach Bob Christmas, North Hall won the subregion for the third consecutive season, made the second round of the state playoffs and were within a whisker of making the state quarterfinals.

Now, the Trojans have a fair chunk of that team back this season and are considerably more experienced than this time last season. North Hall returns 10 starters, most of which are on defense, and is looking to extend a 16-game winning streak in the North subregion that spans the course of three seasons.

Christmas’ biggest tool is an abundance of depth on both sides of the ball, which allows for players to rotate in and out during the game.

"Our strength is our quality depth," Christmas said. "We don’t have the marquee-type players, but top to bottom we have a great group of hard-working, tough kids that believe in what we do here at North Hall."

Offense

For an example of North Hall’s depth, fans need look no further than the backfield. The Trojans are looking at a mix and match of 10 players who will see considerable playing time at the halfback, fullback and wing back positions. Jordan Chaffin, Robert Humphrey, Darian Roman and Clay Quinn are the leading candidates at halfback. Peyton Wilhoite, Mack VanGorder and Trevor Holbrooks are the three that will play at fullback. Ben Booth, Randy Olson and Shane Doster are at wing back.

"This is as good of a stable of running backs as we’ve had at North Hall," Christmas said. "I have confidence in each of them to get the job done."

At quarterback, senior Nathan Jones and sophomore Kanler Coker are taking equal reps for the position. Christmas isn’t opposed to the idea of having two quarterbacks playing once the season begins.

Dylan Mann and Jordan Schmitt are the top two targets at wide receiver. Trevor Ross will play at tight end.

North Hall’s offensive line is anchored by three-year starter and Wake Forest commit Daniel Blitch (6-foot-6, 320 pounds) at tackle. Nathan Hewell is the Trojans’ starter at one guard spot, and Kyle Oliver at center. Kyle Olson and Roger Ponce are the top two at the other tackle spot, and Chase Strickland and Nick Puckett at another guard position.

Defense

With seven returning starters on defense, the Trojans are looking at plenty of experience coming back. The Trojans go four deep at defensive tackle (Blitch, Stephen Flanagan, Kyle Olson and Cliff Giddens), and five strong at end (Hewell, Ross, Ponce, D.J. Miolen and Strickland).

Wilhoite, Karson Coker, VanGorder and Puckett are the top prospects at inside linebacker. Humphrey, Booth, Olson and Holbrooks will all play at outside linebacker.

The rotation at cornerback includes Mann, Roman, Chaffin, Doster and Mark Fuller. At safety, Jones, Coker and Mann are all set to play.

Special teams

Outlook