Tonight marks the opening game for many local teams across northeast Georgia in what is teemed “Week Zero”.
Habersham Central opens for the second straight season against East Hall in non-region action, this time on the road. White County and new head coach Tim Cokely begin a new era with a home game against Franklin. Towns County takes on long-time rivals Hayesville as well. Many Hall County teams are in action, too.
BLITZ Game of the Week
Chestatee War Eagles (2016: 4-7; State Playoffs Rnd 1; 7-AAAA) vs North Hall Trojans (2016: 6-5; State Playoffs Rnd 1; 7-AAA)
WHEN: 7:30 pm
WHERE: Gainesville, GA (Chestatee High School)
HIGHLIGHTS: Check for highlights on BLITZ website (Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Twitter) for score updates and game highlights, also on High 5 Sports at 11 p.m. on Fox 5.
Two playoff teams from a year ago go at it on the gridiron in Gainesville. Chestatee and North Hall have a rich history fueled by a not-too-long ago school split that caused many from North Hall to changed schools to the new Chestatee High School in 2002. It’s hard to believe it’s been 15 years since then, and many of the students, if any, realize the once bitter rivalry of CHS & NTH.
The rivalry is deep, but the results are one-sided, as North Hall is 14-1 all-time against the War Eagles. A 17-10 win back in 2005 on a rainy Friday night at the Brickyard remains the only loss the Trojans have suffered in the series. Chestatee is 60-96 all-time, with five state playoff trips, including last year’s run. 2013’s Sweet 16 run is the only time they got past the first round.
Shaun Conley (second season) looks to get Chestatee back-to-back in the playoffs for what would be the third time in school history. Conley and his War Eagles narrowly lost to North Hall in the opener last year, 35-28.
North Hall’s David Bishop (fourth season) leads his Trojans, coming off a 6-5 season in which North Hall made the playoffs for the second straight season and 11th time in 15 years. The Trojans have four region titles to their credit, two Sweet 16 runs, two Quarterfinal runs and two Semifinal appearances. North Hall, since the 2002 split with kids leaving for Chestatee, has been a powerhouse.
None of that matters tonight when the Trojans travel to the War Eagles’ house. It’s a clean slate for both teams, and there’s a lot that both teams have to prove this season.
PLAYERS to WATCH:
Chestatee (2016 stats)
Nick Lyles (SR RB): 1,327 rush yds, 15 TD; 204 rec yds, 3 TD
Storm Yarbrough (SR QB): 1,719 pass yds, 12 TD; 301 rush yds, 3 TD
Reggie James (SR WR): 405 rec yds, 3 TD
Jacob Goodall (SR WR): 241 rec yds, 3 TD
Charles Jackson (SR CB): 80 tackles, 4 INT
North Hall (2016 stats)
Jack Brown (SR RB): 508 rush yds, 7 TD; 80 rec yds, 2 TD
Cutter Sanford (SR RB): 198 rush yds, TD; 40 rec yds
David Seavy (JR CB): 3 INT
Highlights of the Chestatee/North Hall game will be provided by BLITZ, and shared with HIGH 5 SPORTS at 11 p.m. on Fox 5.
Friday Night Full Slate (Week 0)
Habersham Central @ East Hall
White Co vs Franklin Co
Towns Co vs Hayesville
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Gainesville vs West Hall
Buford @ Hillgrove
Johnson vs Social Circle
Chestatee vs North Hall
Jefferson vs Discovery
