For 12 minutes on Friday night, North Hall’s offense resembled the high-powered running game that took the Trojans to the Class AAA state semifinals in 2007. It only took the Trojans (2-2, 1-0 Region 7A-AAA) four plays to score three touchdowns in the second quarter en route to a 34-24 win against Creekview (0-4, 0-1) at The Brickyard.

The win helped sooth the sore feelings from losing back-to-back games leading into the subregion opener against the Grizzlies. More importantly, it puts North Hall right at the top of the pack in Region 7A-AAA heading into next Friday’s matchup at White County.

"I think winning brings some new life to our team," North Hall coach Bob Christmas said. "We really needed this win for our players’ confidence."

In the second quarter, the Trojans scored on a 71-yard run by Avery Nix, a 50-yard run by Matt Christmas, and then on a 48-yard touchdown reception by senior Graham Duncan from quarterback Blayne Gilmer. North Hall scored all its points in the first half, which proved enough to withstand the Grizzlies.

"There’s no question we gave up some big plays there in the second quarter," Creekview coach Al Morrell said. "But I thought our guys played their hearts out tonight."

Nix finished with a game-high 14 carries for 118 yards. Christmas rushed seven times for 71 yards.

Gerald Moore gave the Trojans some early momentum in the first quarter with a 92-yard kick return for a touchdown. He also recovered a fumble on special teams in the first half.

Despite strong special teams play early, it didn’t keep it from being a back-and-forth scoring shootout with six touchdowns scored in the second quarter. Creekview senior quarterback Collins Wold (190 passing yards) scored on a run from the 1 with 11:42 left in the second quarter. Michael Ay followed that with a diving touchdown from the 5 three minutes later, giving Creekview a temporary lead. Grizzlies defensive back Chase Wideman scored on a 61-yard interception return on the final play in the first half.

Josh Reyes led the Grizzlies with six catches for 118 yards. Hunter Livingston led Creekview with 17 carries for 72 yards.

Despite Creekview’s fluidity on offense in the first half, it turned out to be missed opportunities in the second half that cost the Grizzlies their first win this season. On the first drive of the second half, Creekview marched downfield on a 15-play drive on the back of a 15-yard run from Livingston and an 11-yard run from Reyes. That six-minute drive stalled on fourth down at the 3 when Wold had a wide-open receiver in the end zone that stopped running his route short of the pass.

"Obviously that was a huge play," Morrell added. "If we converted and scored, we got the momentum right back.

On Creekview’s next drive, Reyes hauled in a 21-yard catch on third-and-16 to keep the drive alive that eventually stalled on its own 16. After that, North Hall’s defense put the game away with an interception from junior safety Nathan Jones, and two batted passes from senior defensive end Sam Weaver. Trojans junior linebacker Ben Booth had a fumble recovery in the second quarter.

Trojans senior kicker Jake Dunn did a good job pinning Creekview deep with a 48-yard punt in the fourth quarter. He averaged 40 yards on his five punts on the night.

North Hall visits White County at 7:30 p.m. next Friday. Creekview plays host to Johnson next Friday in Canton.