Grayson might be one of the best coaching jobs in Georgia, but it’s not the easiest. Christian Hunnicutt took it in 2017, following Jeff Herron, a 300-game winning coach who had won a state title in his only year in green and gold. Then there was Mickey Conn, who built the program starting in 2000 and won six region titles and a state title of his own in 2016. He’s now on Clemson’s staff.
Enter Hunnicutt, who had made a name for years as one of Buford's best assistants. Until Friday night, Hunnicutt was on a losing streak of sorts and needed validation.
The ball coach got it.
Grayson routed Archer 41-14 in a game televised by ESPNU. Grayson scored on its first play from scrimmage when J'kori Jones threw to Kenyon Jackson, who went 75 yards. It was 21-14 at half, and Grayson outscored Archer 24-0 from there.
Archer might not be Colquitt County or North Gwinnett, but the Tigers entered Thursday night’s game as hot as any team in Class AAAAAAA, having beaten playoff teams Mill Creek and Norcross in 42-0 and 37-0 routs, then smashing Buford 48-24.
And a year ago, Archer stunned then-No. 1 Grayson 6-3 and went on to win Region 8.
That was the start of Hunnicutt’s rough patch. Grayson would lose to North Gwinnett in the second. Then this year, Grayson played Bergen Catholic in a nationally prominent game, and lost. And played Colquitt in a nationally prominent game, and lost. Grayson was competitive in both, impressive in neither.
For one night, with a region title at stake, Grayson looked like the team that many expected it to be this season. Most ranked Grayson No. 1 in Class AAAAAAA and in top 10 nationally in preseason.
After all, Grayson has the most talented senior class in state history based on recruiting rankings. Ponder this for a minute: Grayson has seniors committed to Tennessee, Auburn, Alabama, Texas, Michigan, Texas A&M, Nebraska, Florida State, Duke, Georgia Tech and North Carolina. (See here on 247Sports.) Not sure there's another Georgia region that can say that, much less a team.
It’s a tough job living up to all that hype.
Hunnicutt and the Rams did it this week.
Here’s a look at how each region played out Friday night. Just three weeks left in the regular season. It’s beginning to make sense.
Region 1 – Hurricane Michael forced the postponement of region openers until next week. New schedule is: Friday – Tift County at Lowndes, Camden County at Colquitt County; Oct. 26 – Camden at Lowndes, Colquitt at Tift; Nov. 3 – Lowndes at Colquitt, Tift at Camden.
Region 2 – Westlake (5-2, 2-0) defeated Pebblebrook (3-4, 1-1), and Newnan (4-3, 2-0) beat Campbell (1-5, 0-2). That means next week's Westlake-Newnan game is probably for the region title. Westlake, which won 21-12 on Friday, is the defending champion of this region with no ranked teams. Notice that previously winless East Coweta upset Wheeler 45-21 on Friday night.
Region 3 – Marietta (3-4, 2-0) defeated McEachern (4-3, 0-2) for the first time in 10 years, 28-27. It's also the first time that McEachern has lost consecutive region games since 2007. Hillgrove (7-0, 2-0) beat Kennesaw Mountain (4-3, 0-2) in a struggle, 44-31, and North Paulding (5-2, 2-0) beat previously unbeaten North Cobb (6-1, 1-1) by a 29-19 count. That leaves Marietta and Hillgrove as the unbeaten teams in region play. They play Oct. 26. It's been a long time since North Cobb or McEachern missed the playoffs. Chances are that one is going to be left out this post-season.
Region 4 – Walton (7-0, 2-0) and Roswell (6-1, 2-0) remained the only unbeaten teams in region play. They face each other next week. Walton hammered Etowah 40-14 while Roswell cruised to a 56-13 victory over Lassiter.
Region 5 – Milton (6-1, 2-0) moved closer to its first region title since 2014 with a 35-21 victory over defending champion South Forsyth (4-3, 1-1). West Forsyth (2-5, 1-1) won 39-0 over Forsyth Central (5-2, 1-1). Their W-L records suggest that was an upset, but it was not, as West Forsyth has played a pretty tough schedule.
Region 6 – North Gwinnett (6-2, 4-0) remains a virtual lock to win this region again after a 37-14 victory over Collins Hill (2-5, 2-1). The Bulldogs already have beaten the next-best team, Mill Creek (5-3, 3-1).
Region 7 – Next week is Parkview (7-0, 3-0) vs. Brookwood (6-1, 3-0). No significant to report from Friday except maybe that Brookwood looked good in winning 42-7 against respectable Central Gwinnett (3-5, 2-2).
Region 8 – Rockdale County (2-5, 1-1) had been the third unbeaten team in region play with Archer and Grayson but lost to South Gwinnett (3-4, 1-1) 40-14. It's going to be Grayson No. 1, Archer No. 2.
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