Robert Haddocks
Grayson relied on a familiar recipe – a steady dose of Camryn Brent and a stifling defense – to roll to another victory, a 28-0 win over Central Gwinnett.
The Rams, 8-0, 6-0 in Region 8-AAAAAA, fed the ball to Brent 30 times for 153 yards and a touchdown and the defense notched its third shutout of the season. Brent carried on 11 of the Rams’ first 12 plays, including a two-yard touchdown that gave them a 7-0 lead. Grayson coach Mickey Conn said when a back gets hot, give him the ball. Running to the left, Brent ripped off runs of 23, 18 and 14 yards on the drive.
“We found a weak link in their defense and we went after it as hard as fast as we could,” Conn said.
That would be all the points the Rams, ranked No. 2 in the state, needed. Grayson which has allowed only 51 points all season, kept the Black Knights’ dynamic offense in check and forced three turnovers. UGA commit Justin Young and Mykelle McDaniel led the charge up front and Denzel Wright and Ernest Tiller came up with interceptions to halt drives. Grayson has held opponents to single digits in six of its eight games.
“The defense is playing really good,” Conn said. “They’re playing hard, understanding schemes and playing a physical brand of football.”
After Brent's touchdown, his 10th of the year, Grayson took a 14-0 lead when quarterback Chase Brice connected with Austin Nash on a deep post pattern for a 47-yard score with five minutes left in the half. The efficient Brice completed nine of 14 passes for 145 yards and two touchdowns on the night.
Tiller showed up again on the second half kickoff, forcing a fumble that was recovered by Andrew Hayes. Two plays later Brice lofted a pass down the sideline to Cedric Asseh for a 23-yard touchdown and a 21-0 lead. Wright closed out the scoring with a one-yard plunge with less than three minutes remaining.
Central quarterback Eric Forrest threw for a game-high 204 yards, completing 26 of 41 passes. “We bent a little, but we never did break,” Conn said. The Black Knights (4-3, 3-2) were led defensively by Nigel Adams, Adonis Thomas and Tim Gary.
The win by Grayson sets up a crucial matchup next week with undefeated Dacula in a game that likely will decide the region championship.
GRAYSON – 7 – 7 – 7 – 7 – 28
CENTRAL GWINNETT – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
G – Camryn Brent 2 run (Austin Hoyt kick)
G – Austin Nash 47 pass from Chase Brice (Hoyt kick)
G – Cedric Asseh 23 pass from Brice (Hoyt kick)
G – Denzel Wright 1 run (Hoyt kick)
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