TROJANS LOOK TO KEEP UP SUCCESS

BY BILL MURPHY bmurphy@gainesvilletimes.com

Sean Pender is accustomed to producing winning football programs.

At each of his four previous posts as a head coach, all in South Georgia, he’s made at least one postseason appearance.

Now the man in charge at North Hall, he’s in a good position to make that number five.

Pender took the job with the Trojans on Jan. 21, after guiding Brunswick to the second round of state each of the past three years.

Now in Hall County, Pender has hit the ground running in his first seven months on the job and likes the talent he’ll lead out on the field in the regular season.

He’s got about 70 players currently on the roster and a largely-new assistant coaching staff, several with previous head coaching experience.

“People want to be a part of what we’re doing here at North Hall because it’s a special place,” Pender said. “We’re surrounding the kids with good-character men who know about leadership development. The X’s and O’s will take care of themselves.”

Under Pender, the Trojans will be lead with offensive coordinator Keith Gosse, who was head coach at Bacon County from 2019-21, while firstyear defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Gary Mintier (also the new boys head soccer coach) was most recently at Jackson County, but previously served as football head coach at McIntosh County Academy in 2014.

Once the regular season begins, North Hall will only play two non-region games, before the eight leagues games that will determine which four teams out of Region 8-4A will go to the postseason.

“We’re approaching every game like it’s for all the marbles,” said Pender, who led Pierce County to the state quarterfinals twice between 2011-216, during which time he coached University of Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett.

Region 8-4A is certainly stacked after its realignment for the new two-year cycle in the GHSA.

North Oconee is coming off a trip to the state semifinals and regarded as the team to beat in 2022.

Cherokee Bluff has won back-to-back Region 7-3A titles and will be talented once again.

Also, Cedar Shoals and second-year East Forsyth are primed to be in position to compete for the playoffs.

In 2022, North Hall, which has been to the playoffs seven straight seasons, will have a much more balanced offense than its fans have been accustomed to seeing for so many years.

While still talented in the running game, North Hall plans to utilize a handful of wide receivers who will make some noise, led by Britton Glover, Sam Gailey, Cason Payne, Ajay Jones and Ryals Puryear, among others.

At running back, North Hall’s new coach has the luxury of picking between Hunter Riley, Tate Ruth and Ethan Little to see who deserves the most touches.

“If all three stay healthy, we’ll try to do running back by committee,” Pender said. “Whoever has the hot hand will get more touches.”

At tight end, Breckan Kirby and Zeke Harris will see most of the action.

Quarterback is still a battle for the Trojans with Walker Anderson (formerly at Lanier Christian Academy) and Tanner Marsh as the two frontrunners.

Up front, North Hall has returning experience that has its coach optimistic, led by senior center Hayden Chase and sophomore left guard Charlie House.

On defense, Pender feels especially good about his group at linebacker.

At outside linebacker, Harris has had a strong offseason, Pender said, while Austin Self and Kirby will also be expected to make big contributions.

In the secondary, Carson Brown and senior captain Will Jackson will be providing leadership. Harris will handle the punting duties, Pender said, while the kicking position is still in flux.

North Hall’s new coach will have about five basketball players on his roster who didn’t play football in 2021.

He believes most of them will all be able to contribute.

Trojans boys basketball coach Miles Kendall will serve as wide receivers coach.

Nathan Kinney, a North Hall High graduate, will be working with the outside linebackers.

New North Hall defensive backs coach Brett Hall comes from Truetlen County.

The lone holdover from the previous Trojans staff is Jason Crisp, who will be working with the defensive line.