If North Hall’s unbreakable spirit was the downfall of Gainesville and Flowery Branch earlier in the season, White County similarly found Trojan intensity too much to handle Friday night at Warriors Field.

In yet another master class on rushing and defense, undefeated North Hall (6-0) got its subregion 7A-AAA business under way with an emphatic 49-7 win.

Bobby Epps had an astounding 37 of the Trojans’ points on five touchdowns and a two-point conversion.

"Yes, he had a heck of a game," said Trojan coach Bob Christmas, who also noted the contribution from others. "And our defense continues to play great."

The Warriors, fresh from a bye week, were held to just 209 yards total offense, a statistic that did little justice to their gritty resistance.

"North Hall’s got a good football team and I thought our guys fought the whole way through," White County coach Gregg Segraves said.

Many predicted this to be a close affair, as the Warriors (3-3) were riding a three-game winning streak after beating Johnson in breathtaking style just two weeks ago. They also welcomed the return of running back Jesse Brown for the first time this season.

Early in the game, nevertheless, it was apparent that White County’s resurgence would have to wait another week when Epps ruthlessly struck with two first-quarter touchdowns.

The first was all about grit, Epps twisting, turning and pounding his way in from 30 yards. By halftime his touchdown total was up to three.

Warrior fans by this point would have been forgiven for not giving up, as their team have shown a knack for coming back. But the Trojans saved their best football for the second half.

"I thought our focus was not great in the first half," Christmas said. "But we changed that in the second half."

The third quarter was just three plays old when Epps squeezed into the end zone from 2 yards to move the Trojans 27-0 ahead. Then Hunter Wolf, who had set that score up with an 85-yard kickoff return, cashed in with the play of the night later in the quarter: a 90-yard touchdown run, notable for the zigzagging way that he avoided tackles. Hunter finished North Hall’s top rusher with 172 yards.

Epps would score again before White County’s only reply, a 34-yard Josh Ingram catch.

Despite not having yet tasted defeat, Christmas is confident his team can maintain its focus.

"I don’t think it’s going to be a problem," he said. "This is one of the greatest group of kids I’ve been associated with."