Grayson’s offense struggled Friday night, but a big play by junior safety Michael Daugherty provided the winning touchdown, and the defense held on for a 15-13 victory over Archer on Friday night at Grayson.
Grayson (3-1) came in ranked No. 10, but Archer (0-3) gave the Rams all they could handle and nearly pulled off the upset.
“That’s a good football team,” Grayson coach Adam Carter said. “Their coach had them ready to go. They have improved so much over the last few weeks. That’s a different team from when they started the season.”
Grayson’s defense forced two turnovers, one a fumble recovery returned 34 yards for a touchdown by Daugherty, a four-star recruit, early in the fourth quarter.
The defense also recorded two sacks, the most important coming from Jalen Smith to stop Archer’s momentum in the third quarter.
“The defense played decent,” Carter said. “We had some busts in the secondary older and younger players that we haven’t done this season. That’s on me because I am calling the defense. I have to go back and figure out what we do well and don’t do well and go back and fix stuff.”
The Rams’ defense also forced a late field goal instead of a touchdown, turning back Archer inside Grayson’s 5-yard line, and a turnover on downs to secure the victory in the second half.
Grayson’s offense was held in check, especially in the second half. Quarterback Joseph Stone had interceptions on the first two drives of the second half and finished 5-of-10 passing for 61 yards and one touchdown. Joseph Taylor added 51 yards rushing.
Archer quarterback William Wallace was 9-of-16 passing for 172 yards and a touchdown and an interception. Georgia Tech commit D.J. Moore had five catches for 78 yards and a touchdown, and Frank Osorio had four catches for 88 yards.
Caleb Wooden and Nick Hardy had interceptions Archer.
Wooden, a safety committed to Auburn and Archer’s best all-around player, was injured in the fourth quarter and taken from the field by ambulance. The injury delayed the game for about 30 minutes and seemed to sap the energy from Archer.
Grayson moves on next week to face Harrison (2-2), and Archer tries to get their first win against North Gwinnett (2-2).
“I knew it was going to be a fight,’’ Carter said of the Archer game. “If you look at our games the past two years I have been here, it has been a dogfight. It’s going to be like that every year we play, and that’s just two good teams playing football.”
Grayson 8-0-7-0 - 15
Archer 3-0-7-3 – 13
G - John Cineas 30 pass from Joseph Stone (conversion good)
A – Miles Hamby 29 FG
A – D.J. Moore 35 pass from Wallace (Hamby kick)
G - Michael Daugherty 34 fumble return (Nathaniel Edmonson kick)
A- Hamby 23 FG
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