Even Superman had a weakness: kryptonite.
North Hall’s kryptonite? A mobile quarterback.
Head coach Sean Pender didn’t hide from that reality this week as the Trojans prepare to host a fast, physical LaGrange squad led by dual-threat quarterback Dylan Barber. The two are set to kick off at The Brickyard on Friday night in the second round of the Class 3A playoffs. You can hear the game live on FM 102.9 WDUN, with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m.
“He’s really good, and he’s very dangerous with his legs, not just his arm,” Pender said. “So it’s kind of been our kryptonite: a mobile quarterback who can do things with his legs. So, defensively, we have to prepare for that.”
The Grangers gashed North Hall for almost 400 rushing yards in last year’s quarterfinals at The Brickyard, rolling to a 49–17 win behind running back Malachi Fannin-Render’s 264-yard, three-touchdown explosion. He’s gone now, but LaGrange’s ground threat hasn’t gone anywhere.
Barber has taken center stage this fall, throwing for 1,050 yards and 10 touchdowns while adding 651 yards and 10 scores on the ground. In last year’s meeting, he was more of a facilitator, finishing with 31 rushing yards, 112 passing yards, and a pair of touchdown throws. Now he’s the engine.
And he’s surrounded by help. The Grangers feature a deep backfield with Caydin Thomas (440 yards, 5 TDs), Antonio Parks (404 yards, 3 TDs), and Jhmarion Johnson (337 yards, 5 TDs), plus Peyton Davis (189 yards, 4 TDs). That depth has produced a steady 216 rushing yards per game. Barber also distributes the ball well through the air, targeting leading receiver Jardon Stringer (397 yards, 3 TDs), along with Julian Jones and Kalvin Snowberger—both with more than 300 yards and three touchdowns.
North Hall’s defense has been strong all season, giving up just 17 points per game while delivering 69 tackles for loss, 23 sacks, 82 QB hurries, and forcing 16 turnovers. Led by linebackers Buddy Clark, Parker Carlton, and Dalton Hulsey, and defensive tackle Dawson Reed and defensive end Robby Lee, who have 291 total tackles and 37.5 TFLs, will be tasked with applying pressure on the Grangers’ offense. Still, though, Pender knows the challenge will not be easy..
“When we have the opportunity to get to the quarterback, we have to make the tackle and not miss it, not let the quarterback extend play,” Pender said. “Pressure is going to be huge. We’ve got to have gap integrity and not give them any open lanes, and we can’t miss tackles. Missed tackles will hurt us in this game.”
NORTH HALL CAN SCORE, TOO
For all of LaGrange’s firepower, North Hall’s offense has been wildly productive. The Trojans average nearly 50 points and more than 500 yards per game, topping 40 points three times, clearing 50 three times, and breaking 60 twice.
Junior quarterback Alex Schlieman has been the catalyst, both with his arm and his maturity. He leads the entire state—across all classifications—in passing yards with 3,129 and has tossed 28 touchdowns.
“He’s always been a strong quarterback, a very headsy quarterback,” Pender said. “He’s smart, he’s good about getting us in the right predicament. He’s going to have to make plays this week. We’re used to him making plays with his arm, but he’s also going to make plays with his legs.”
A BACKFIELD FULL OF WEAPONS
The Trojans complement their air attack with one of the deepest running back rooms in Class 3A. Led by Parker Carlton, they average 205 rushing yards per game and have scored 42 rushing touchdowns. Jacobs Adams, Justin Allen, Wyatt Tumlin, Carlton, and Smith McGarvey all provide big-play potential at any moment.
HEALTH CHECK
North Hall gets a major boost with the return of Charlotte commit and starting tackle Mason McGill, who’s been sidelined with an ankle injury since the GAC game. Leading receiver Ty Kemp remains out, while defensive end Hunter Robertson is questionable.
The offensive line, now at full strength, will be critical against LaGrange’s pressure-heavy front.
“It’s good to have our two tackles healthy (Cade Hawthorne and McGill),” Pender said. “LaGrange is going to give us all different types of blitz packages, so we have to be ready. Their defensive ends are very fast, and it’s going to be good to have our two tackles healthy and ready to negate that speed coming off the edge.”
In the receiving corps, Smith McGarvey has taken on a larger role since Kemp’s injury, while Cole Cable—who had 151 yards in last year’s matchup—returns healthy. Jack Macloskie and tight end Dawson Grey have also emerged as reliable targets.
“Jack McCloskie and Smith McGarvey have done a fantastic job – both those guys have made a lot of plays,” Pender said. “If you look at their productivity since Ty has been out, those guys’ productivity has increased in the passing game.”
LAST WEEK: A REMINDER OF THE CHALLENGE
North Hall rolled past Mt. Zion-Jonesboro 62–26 in the opening round, but their old nemesis resurfaced. Mt. Zion quarterback Khi Mitchell accounted for 329 total yards and three touchdowns, including 119 yards and a touchdown to Jaylen Moses.
Meanwhile, LaGrange rolled past North Clayton 48-27 in the first round on Saturday. The Grangers rushed for 319 yards, with Barber finishing with 121 and Antonio Parks with 101.
“We’ve got to do a little bit better job on not letting them get behind us,” Pender said. “When we get into the red zone area, we’ve got to condense it and take all the air out of the routes, which we didn’t do last week.”
WHAT IT WILL TAKE
The coaching staff knows the defense has to step up, make plays, and play above its head. Offensively, the team must handle LaGrange’s pressure packages and match — or exceed — their physicality. Special teams will be a challenge as well, with LaGrange boasting a kicker who puts the ball in the end zone more than 80% of the time. It’ll be a battle in all three phases of the game.
“We’re going to have to be at our best,” Pender said. “I think we’re going to be really good. I think we’re going to be up for the challenge, but it’s going to be a battle. We’re going to have to play our best game to win on Friday night, and we’re preparing to do that.”
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