BOGART — North Hall coach David Bishop learned exactly what he wanted to learn about his team moments after last week’s agonizing one-point loss to Stephens County.

“Let’s get after it next week,” he recalled the players saying. “We’re showing people who we are and what we’re made of.”

The Trojans did exactly that, thumping North Oconee 31-0 Friday night on the road for their first region victory.

North Hall stormed to a 25-0 halftime lead and finished off the Titans in the second half on a night of sloppy field conditions and a steady mist.

Jackson Madonna’s first two passes went for touchdowns of 58 and 57 yards, Kyle Bacus rushed for 60 yards and a touchdown and Chris Dennis kicked three field goals for the Trojans (2-3, 1-1 Region 8-AAAA).

“We came out here prepared, we just busted our butts and it was a great effort by the offense and defense,” said Bacus, who also registered one of the team’s three sacks.

Jake Meeler and Dylan Murphy recorded the other two sacks of North Oconee quarterback Sam Middlebrooks, who completed 6 of 20 passes for 95 yards. North Hall took advantage of four North Oconee turnovers, including two in the decisive first half. Drew Atha, David Seid and Cutter Sanford each intercepted a pass for the Trojans. The other turnover was a first-half fumble.

Two miscues in the North Oconee punting game also led to North Hall points. Just before halftime, a bad snap on a punt led to a 14-yard loss to the 6 and set up a North Hall field goal.

With less than a minute remaining in the third quarter, a blocked punt gave North Hall the ball at the 8. The Trojans immediately set up for a field goal on first down. Dennis nailed the 25-yarder, which gave the Trojans a 31-0 lead and put them over the 30-point margin needed to enact a running clock in the fourth quarter.

Dennis’ other field goals covered 23 and 22 yards. Sam Jackson and Mac Bennett caught the touchdown passes from Madonna. North Hall outgained North Oconee 226-129 and didn’t turn the ball over.

North Oconee seemed to temporarily seize momentum to start the second half, moving North Hall backward on the first series of the third quarter. The Titans got the ball at the Trojans’ 38 after the punt, but an interception three plays later put North Hall back in full control.

“If it could go wrong tonight, it probably did for us,” North Oconee coach Terry Tuley said.

North Hall continues region action next Friday at home against three-time defending state champion Buford. North Oconee dropped to 2-3 overall and 1-1 in Region 8-AAAA ahead of next week’s region game at Monroe Area.

North Hall 31, North Oconee 0

Difference maker: Junior running back Kyle Bacus churned out the tough yards when North Hall needed them on his way to a 62-yard night. Bacus also made big plays at linebacker, including one of the team’s three sacks.

Stat that matters: Jackson Madonna attempted only four passes, but his first two went for deep touchdowns (58 and 57 yards) to help North Hall break open the game in the first half.

Next up: North Hall at home Friday vs. Buford. North Oconee is at Monroe Area.