Friday’s matchup between host Central Gwinnett and No. 2 Grayson started sloppy, with both teams committing numerous turnovers.
However, Grayson was the team that eventually emerged to claim a 35-2 victory in Region 8-AAAAAA play.
With the win, the Rams move to 8-0 and 6-0 in region play, while the Black Knights drop to 4-3 and 3-2.
The Rams and Knights combined for six first-half turnovers, which slowed the momentum for both teams. But Grayson would be the team to capitalize on the turnovers, scoring 14 points off two Central Gwinnett miscues in the second quarter to take a 21-2 lead into halftime.
That allowed the Rams to overcome an interception, two lost fumbles and a safety to take a commanding lead.
“We had a chance to really put this thing away early and didn’t,” Rams coach Mickey Conn said. “But sometimes that happens late in the year. You get on the road, but I don’t know, our defense really stood up and we gained a lot of momentum from them.”
The Rams defense forced four Central Gwinnett interceptions and a lost fumble. Quintin Thames’ 40-yard interception return for a score gave Grayson a 14-2 lead. On Central’s next possession, Denzel Wright made an interception at the Knights’ 12-yard line.
Grayson would score four plays later for a three-score halftime lead.
“We got pressure up front with the d-line and the secondary made plays,” Conn said. “When you force turnovers like that and turn one into a touchdown, that’s critical.”
Central Gwinnett’s only score came in the second quarter when the Knights had Grayson on its own 1. Sidney Willis and Eugene Mafah teamed up to stuff a Grayson run in the end zone for the safety.
Rams quarterback Chase Brice finished 8 of 16 passing for 201 yards and three touchdowns, including a 75-yard strike to Evan Sturgill, who finished with 90 receiving yards on two catches.
Grayson outgained Central Gwinnett 323 total yards to 174 for the game.
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Grayson 7 21 7 0 – 35
Central Gwinnett 0 2 0 0 – 2
G – Cameryn Brent 2 run (Will Van Pamelen kick)
CG – Team safety
G – Evan Sturgill 75 pass from Chase Brice (Van Pamelen kick)
G – Quintin Thames 40 INT return (Van Pamelen kick)
G – Schnyder Boucard 4 pass from Brice (Van Pamelen kick)
G – Ryan Carriere 13 pass from Brice (Van Pamelen kick)
