The night started out rough for Grayson kicker Will VanPamelen. The sophomore missed an extra point, missed a 40-yard field goal and got a lucky bounce off of the near upright on another extra point attempt.
But by night’s end, VanPamelen was all smiles and posing for group selfies with adoring fans, after he drilled the game winning field goal for the Rams with :07 seconds left to play in regulation, giving No. 4 Grayson a 26-24 win over No. 1 Archer, Friday on Military Appreciation Night at Grayson Community Stadium.
The win gives Grayson (3-0, 1-0 in Region 8AAAAAA) a leg up on the Tigers (2-1, 0-1) in the battle for the region title.
VanPamelen’s kick capped an eight play, 40 yard drive – led by senior quarterback Chase Brice in the game’s final 1:58. In a game filled with highly recruited players on both sides, the contest was decided by three underclassmen with no offers as of yet: VanPamelen, junior holder/receiver Evan Sturgill – who had a key reception during the game-winning drive – and junior snapper Will Taylor.
“What a high school football game,” Grayson head coach Mickey Conn said afterward. “Those kids, a sophomore kicker, a junior snapper and holder, they showed a lot of poise.”
VanPamelen said his struggles earlier in the game came from him being overly pumped about participating in what has quickly become one of the area’s top rivalries. Nearly 6,000 fans crammed into the stadium and lined the fences to witness it.
“When [Archer] called time out, I knew I was going to make it,” VanPamelen said of the Tigers’ attempt to freeze him just before the kick. “I give all the credit to Evan, my holder, and Will, my snapper. They did a great job.”
Archer led 17-8 at the half on the strength of two touchdown runs by Jamyest Williams, who was the Tigers’ workhorse on a humid night. The junior, who has more than 15 reported offers, ran for 185 yards on 28 carries.
Additionally, it appeared as if Williams made the defensive play of the night. With the Tigers leading 24-23, with just under five minutes remaining, Williams dove in front of a Grayson receiver running a skinny post up the far seam, and deflected a third-down pass that would have given the Rams a first down deep in Tiger territory.
Grayson was forced to punt, but Archer took possession at its own 7 yard line. Archer picked up a first down on a run by Williams, but couldn’t run out the clock, and was forced to punt the ball back to the Rams, setting the table for VanPamelen’s heroics.
“Our defense really stepped up,” Conn said. “They kept us alive in the first half when we put them in some bad spots, and when we needed to make stops, they made some big ones for us.”
Archer 7 10 0 7 24
Grayson 0 8 7 11 26
A – Jamyest Williams 2 run (Matthew Fritts kick)
G – Evan Sturgill 22 pass from Chase Bryce (kick failed)
A – Williams 15 run (Fritts kick)
G – Safety (punt blocked out of end zone)
A – Fritts 29 fg
G – Cameryn Brent 3 run (Will VanPamelen kick)
G – Brent 1 run (Denzel Wright pass from Bryce)
A – Dylan Singleton 2 run (Fritts kick)
G – VanPamelen 25 fg
