We tell you everything you need to know about the 2022 North Hall football team in this preview. We take a look at roster changes and what fans can expect from the team this season.
2021 Stats
- Overall Record: 6-5
- Points Scored: 307
- Points Against: 282
Key Losses
Long time head coach David Bishop has departed, and former Brunswick head coach Sean Pender succeeded him as coach of the Trojans. Pender inherits a team that lost several key members from last season’s six-win team, but not all were to graduation. Some transferred, like rising senior Jeremiah Telander, a long snapper, middle linerbacker and wide receiver. In his three prior seasons at North Hall, he racked up 149 tackles, including three sacks, and snatched three interceptions on defense.
Another tough loss is former QB Bradford Puryear, who had started for the Trojans the last two seasons, and was poised to take the job headed into the upcoming season. Also gone is the team’s leading rusher Kevin Rochester, who graduated. Rochester leaves behind some impressive stats with 2,555 rushing yards and 31 TDs. He caught another two TDs coming out of the backfield. Rochester also played DL, and did it well, earning First Team All-Region honors.
While the skill position losses are tough to take for Pender, he’ll also miss the big guys in the trenches. Jarrett Latty was an OL/DL who graduates, leaving behind quite a big void on both sides of the line. He had 83 tackles and seven sacks. Latty joined Rochester among the First team All Region performers last season.
Who’s Back
Pender will have some weapons to work with as he installs his spread offense with a heavy dose of Air Raid thrown in for good measure. Returning to run the offense, and replacing Puryear, will be a combination of Britton Glover, Tanner Marsh, and Walker Anderson. According to Pender, Glover was last year’s backup QB, but didn’t see much time on the field. He’ll be challenged by Tanner Marsh, who played TE and OLB last season. Finally, junior Walker Anderson is the third player who will challenge for the starting QB job once North Hall begins summer work including 7 on 7s.
The RB position will likely be “running back by committee” once the season starts on August 19 at home vs White County. The backs who will share time toting the rock in 2022 are Tate Ruth, Ethan Little, and Hunter Rowell.
What To Expect
Pender says he is looking at a complete rebuild on both offensive and defensive lines of scrimmage. “We pretty much lost all of our starters on the OL and several on the D-line as well,” the new Trojans coach says.
Pender adds that there is no lack of excitement on the team, as the number of players who came out for spring drills versus what he had when he first arrived in Gainesville has just about doubled. “We went from 45 players to around 80 for the spring drills,” said Pender.
If the former Pirates coach can accomplish what he did when first taking over the Brunswick program, then North Hall fans should be excited about their new head football coach. Taking over a team that had finished a combined 8-12 over the two seasons prior to his arrival, Pender immediately made the Pirates better. After starting off 10-10 in his first two seasons, they went on a three-year run to post an 25-11 record, including his last year when he led the Pirates to an undefeated regular season, a region championship and an 11-1 overall record. Can he do the same things with the Trojans? I wouldn’t bet against the guy. He can flat out coach.
Prediction
Look for a great story in 2022 for North Hall and their new head coach. 7-5 overall record.
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