Football Recruiting Blog: top players in North Hall and Flowery Branch's scrimage

Flowery Branch and North Hall wrapped up fall camp with their annual fall scrimmage. Both teams looked ready to make playoff runs and continue to grow as programs. With both teams on two-year playoff streaks, they entered the game in very different places. The Falcons are in the first year of head coach Michael Perry and haven’t won a playoff game since 2021, while North Hall is in year three of the Sean Pender era and made it to the quarterfinals last year.

The three quarterbacks who played meaningful snaps on Thursday all looked great. North Hall’s two-quarterback system from 2024 rolls over into 2025. The Trojans’ pair of Smith McGravey and Alex Schlieman combined to throw for over 300 yards. On the other side, the Falcons’ quarterback battle looks decided, with West Hall transfer Brett Sturm having a dominant half, completing 11 of 12 passes for over 100 yards, with both a passing and a rushing touchdown. That lone incompletion was a dropped pass on what would have been a 50-plus-yard touchdown.

Wide receiver play was on full display. North Hall’s Cole Cable was unstoppable, the 6-foot, 165-pound receiver had five catches for over 170 yards and two touchdowns. He also had another 60-plus-yard touchdown called back because of a holding call. On the other side of the field, the Falcons have two dynamic senior wide receivers. Returning star Brooks Recinella was the focus of the defense for much of the night, hauling in two catches, including a beautiful, high-pointed grab over two defenders to set the Falcons up at the one-yard line. Opposite him, Tre Demory was open nearly every play. Demory, a Gainesville transfer, had five catches for over 70 yards. He was also wide open on the Falcons’ opening drive but dropped what likely would have been a touchdown.

The offensive line showed good talent on both sides. The biggest recruit is the Trojans’ Mason McGill, a senior and Charlotte commit. McGill is massive and has sky-high potential, but is still raw. Standing at 6-4, he has the length to excel at the position but still has room to improve in hand placement and footwork in pass protection. For the Falcons, junior center Caige Loggins has grown into a strong presence on the interior. In his first season as the starting center, he’s already accurate with his snaps and steady in the middle. Also on the Falcons’ line, 2028 prospect Landon Nash shows high potential but needs to work on consistency and footwork.

On defense, North Hall safety Walker Davis showed flashes of his potential. The 6-2 defensive back will be a crucial part of the Trojans’ defense, though he played mostly in the box against Flowery Branch. For the Falcons, edge rushers Jake Bursinger and Eli Poole were disruptive. Poole is the more established of the two, playing both inside and outside on the line and excelling in run defense. Bursinger, the longer of the two at 6-1 or taller, was in the backfield multiple times, even when matched up against McGill.

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