FOOTBALL PREVIEW: North Forsyth at Johns Creek

Article courtesy of Forsyth County News

North Forsyth at Johns Creek

When, where: Friday, 7:30 p.m. at The Colosseum in Alpharetta.

Records, rankings: North is 1-0, 0-0 in Region 5-7A and unranked; Johns Creek is 0-1, 0-0 in Region 7-6A and unranked.

Series history: Tied 2-2

Last meeting: Johns Creek won 17-14 in 2015.

What to know: There might not be a happier fanbase in Forsyth County right now than the one in Coal Mountain. North impressed in its season opener last weekend at home against Sequoyah, defeating the Chiefs 34-14 with a big night from starting quarterback Ben Bales, who threw four touchdown passes. North flashed a complement to Simon Holcomb in the passing game with Clayton Bardall catching two scores, and the defense had five sacks in the win.

Now North will get a better litmus test to see how far they’ve come under first-year head coach Robert Craft. The Raiders travel to Johns Creek to face a former region foe, and the team should be of similar quality than Sequoyah. Another emphatic win, and North could become a team to watch out for as a sleeper in Region 5-7A.

Johns Creek fell in its season opener against Lassiter, 27-13. The strength of the Gladiators is a stout secondary and linebacking corps, which should test the Raiders’ newfound passing game. Gladiator linebacker Myles Myers averaged over 10 tackles a game last season, while defensive backs Jack Somers and Dequez Crawford combined for eight interceptions last year.

If North wins it will match its win total from last season by the second week and eclipse its total from 2014. The Raiders have not started 2-0 since a 4-0 start under Jason Galt in 2013.