Previewing tonight's North Hall/McNair playoff game:
When: 7:30 tonight
Where: The Brickyard
Radio:1240-AM
Directions: From Gainesville, drive north on Ga. Hwy. 60 to Mount Vernon Road. Turn right on Mount Vernon and drive five miles to the school’s campus. Parking is available along Mount Vernon Road, in front of the school’s campus, and at North Hall Middle.
Records: North Hall (10-0, No. 1 Region 7-AAA); McNair (5-5 No. 4 Region 5-AAA)
Coaches: North Hall, Bob Christmas; McNair, Roderick Moore
Key players: North Hall, RB Hunter Wolf (5-9, 190 Sr.); LB/FB Bobby Epps (6-1, 210 Sr.); QB Fabian Jackson (6-0, 180 Sr.); McNair, RB Arnold Walker (6-0, 195 Jr.); LB Tim Boswell (6-1, 220 Jr.); QB Ceasry Wilborn (5-11, 220 Sr.).
Outlook: This is a repeat matchup for North Hall as it plays host to Region 5-AAA’s McNair in the state playoffs at the Brickyard for the second consecutive season. Last season, North Hall won 43-26.
The Trojans hope for more of the same this season as Region 7-AAA’s champions have their eyes set on a state championship run. North Hall has plenty of reason to remain optimistic after winning the region championship last week against Chestatee, 53-6, and enter the playoffs with only one player sidelined with an injury after Tyler Browning tore his MCL, according to Christmas.
North Hall’s offense is led by its running game with seniors Hunter Wolf (1,057 yards, 8 TD’s), fullback Bobby Epps (695 yards, 12 TD’s) and quarterback Fabian Jackson (839 yards, 12 TDs).
North Hall’s defense is led up front by senior defensive end Jackson Griffeth (105 tackles, 7 sacks) and sophomore linebacker Thomas Sprague (74 tackles).
The Trojans defense, which only allowed eight points per game in the regular season, is looking to ground the Mustangs solid running attack.
McNair junior running back Arnold Walker finished the regular season at the top of DeKalb County running backs with 1,087 yards in only nine games, after sitting out a game on suspension.
Prediction: NORTH HALL. The Trojans’ seniors beg and plead to play the fourth quarter, but Christmas ropes them in early in preparation for next Friday night.