North Hall is in the quarterfinals for the first time since 2012. The Trojans will host LaGrange on Friday after a thrilling come-from-behind victory over Upson-Lee. The Trojans play their home games at one of the toughest venues in the state, Lynn Cantrell Stadium, better known as The Brickyard. The stadium has proven to be nearly impossible for visiting teams to leave with a win. The Trojans are 16-2 in playoff games at The Brickyard and have won 14 straight at home, a streak dating back to the 2006 season.
The Trojans used more “Brickyard Magic” to secure their second-round victory. Trailing 20-13 with just five minutes left in the game, they mounted a long touchdown drive, blocked a field goal, and pulled off a 88-yard tipped pass caught for a touchdown by Cole Cable to clinch the win.
This week, North Hall will face one of the most historically significant programs in the state in LaGrange. The Grangers have won 809 games, the second-most in Georgia state history, and boast six state championships. Under head coach Matt Napier, LaGrange has been on an upswing, making the playoffs every year of his tenure. They’ve reached the second round in all but one of his five seasons, however this is the team’s first quarterfinals appearance since 2008.
Both teams were 3A powerhouses in the 2000s but have never faced each other. While The Brickyard is an extremely tough place to play, Napier’s teams have been some of the most dangerous underdogs in the state. During his tenure, LaGrange is 3-3 as a lower-seeded team and has never lost to an unranked opponent in the playoffs.
A streak must end on Friday, either the Grangers’ four-game playoff winning streak over unranked teams or North Hall’s 14-game home playoff streak. The stage is set for a thrilling quarterfinals showdown.
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