MaxPreps Student Section: Grayson knocks off Marietta

Going into the first game for the GSHA playoffs, students, fans and players remember the devastating loss last year in the Final Four playoffs. However, the boys gained new confidence by beating every team they played in the season by a comfortable amount. They ended the regular season with a perfect 10-0 record just as they did the previous year.

The boys play as a unit, always improving and working hard. The favorable Ean Pemberton has continued to wow the crowd and improve upon his accomplishments last year.

The first quarter of the playoff game against the Marietta Blue Devils, who were 5-5 during the regular season, started off with a couple of good plays on both sides of the field. The Devils’ defensive line held strong and didn’t allow the star RB for the Rams, #24 Ean Pemberton,to break through to make any of his impressive runs to the end zone.  Rams D-line also held their end up and the scoreboard read 0-0 going into the 2nd quarter.#15, Corey Hale, scored the first touchdown for the Rams early in the second quarter and the talented kicker, #99 Austin Clark’s extra point brought the score to 7-0 with 11:11 left on the clock. The shouting crowd and players soon stopped their rejoicing when the Blue Devils wide receiver, #1 Charles  Francious outran the Rams defense with an 85-yard kick return from the 15 and scored a touchdown, with the extra point tying the game 7-7 at 10:58. The unexpected play shocked the players on the sideline and silenced the stands. However, the Rams, determined to end off their first playoff game strong, sent Pemberton back into the game. After two carries and a first down, Pemberton ran a touchdown, the extra point by Clark was made, and again the Rams were ahead, 14-7 with 7:46 left in the first half.

Good defense was played by #47 Nii Lartey who managed to hold off a very persistent running back from Marietta, #21 Greg Franklin. The Rams defense pushed Franklin, who was in possession of the ball, back over the 30 yard line and got the immediate 4th down for Grayson.  Pemberton ran a 70 yard play from the thirty yard line to the end zone, sending the Rams into an even further lead. The score was 21-7 by halftime.

Grayson players clapped for their teammate, #61, Joseph Champaign, who was out for some time during the regular season, due to a torn ACL, as he joined in for the last couple of minutes of the game.  

Unfortunately at the star of 3rd quarter, after only a couple of carries, Pemberton was pulled out of the game due to a shoulder injury caused by a couple of Marietta players. The Rams scored no points after Pemberton left the field.

The Marietta Blue Devil’s snuck another touchdown, made by #21, Franklin at 2:21 left in the 4th quarter. With the extra point by #22 Fitz Johnson, the Devils were right behind the Rams, 21-14 with plenty of time to tie up the game.

The Rams refused to let that happen.  Grayson’s offensive line kept the ball in their possession as the end buzzer sounded. With another win under their belt, the Rams are now 11-0 and still going strong.

Recognition for #14, David Gillespe who, while in a box tackle, managed to get the Rams a 1st down during the 4th quarter.#61, Joseph Champaign who, after being out for some time during the regular season due to a torn ACL, joined in the last couple minutes of the game.

Round two of the playoffs for Grayson will be against the Roswell Hornets.