It will be hard for Archer and Grayson to play a more suspenseful game than the one that Grayson won 14-10 in 2014. Archer had first-and-goal at the 2-yard line in the final minute but failed to score on four straight running plays.
On Friday, the Region 8-AAAAAA rivals meet again, each more highly touted than before. Archer, which overcame an 0-3 start last season to reach the AAAAAA championship game, is ranked No. 1. Grayson is No. 4. Both are 2-0.
Here’s a little more on the teams from GHSF Daily’s Top 10 Games of the week:
-Grayson QB Chase Brice, the consensus No. 11 pro-style quarterback prospect nationally, is 23-of-42 passing for 385 yards and four touchdowns in blowouts of Gainesville (34-0) and Hughes (56-21). RB Cameryn Brent has rushed for 310 yards and three touchdowns. Grayson has three major Division I prospects on the defensive line – Bryce Morais (Boston College), Mykelle McDaniel (over 20 offers) and Chris Martin (Georgia Tech).
The main yardage-gainers on Archer’s offense are RB Jamyest Williams (252 yards rushing, six touchdowns), WR Kyle Davis (10 catches, 177 yards) and QB Will Bearden (22-of-27 passing, 408 yards). Archer has several major D-I recruits. They include Williams, Davis, DT Kobe Smith (Kentucky), LB Donta Evans (Ole Miss), DB Dylan Singleton (Duke), DB Isaiah Pryor (Ohio State) and OL E.J. Price.
More intriguing games in AAAAAA this week …
Walton (3-0) at Etowah (3-0): Walton is a contender again after a forfeit-marred 2-8 season, and the Raiders punctuated their good start Friday with a 34-20 victory over Lassiter (2-1). Etowah also beat an arch-rival, Cherokee, that entered last week 2-0. The winner of this game figures to be the chief challenger to Region 5 favorite Roswell.
Newton (3-0) at Westlake (2-0): Two talented under-the-radar teams meet in a non-region game. Westlake is the defending Region 3 champion. Newton was third in Region 2, but upset Valdosta in the first round and made the quarterfinals.
McEachern (2-0) at Peachtree Ridge (0-2): Both were ranked in the top five in preseason. Peachtree Ridge, hamstrung by injuries, has lost to No. 1 Archer and Tennessee state champion Christ Presbyterian. McEachern, ranked No. 2, is coming off a 37-14 victory Friday that ended Buford's 42-game winning streak.
Lovejoy (1-1) at Hillgrove (1-2): Lovejoy is young and rebuilding. Hillgrove was supposed to be better than its 1-2 start. Sophomore QB Hunter Arters, making his first varsity start, completed 33 of 50 passes for 411 yards and three touchdowns in a 31-19 loss to North Gwinnett last wee.
Roswell (2-0) at Lassiter (1-1): Roswell is the Region 5 team to beat. The Hornets have the talent and firepower to challenge for the state title.
North Forsyth (1-1) at Northview (2-0): Region 6 is into region play. These are the only 1-0 teams facing off.
Parkview (2-0) at Brookwood (0-2): It's got tradition, if nothing else. Parkview has one of the state's better quarterbacks in under-the-radar Jack Chambers.
