MaxPreps Preseason Xcellent 25 Football preview: No. 25 Grayson

In Georgia's AAAAA class last season, a five-loss Colquitt County team fell to Brookwood in the state finals to conclude a topsy-turvy season in the Peach State.

In contrast, the Grayson Rams have all of the pieces in place to emerge as an elite team both locally and nationally in 2011.

Quarterback Nick Schuessler returns behind an offensive line that brings back three starters. Running backs Devin Gillespie and Terrius Watson both saw significant action as juniors and are poised for big seasons in the Rams' run-oriented Wing-T attack.

Wide receiver Korey Jones gives Schuessler a gifted target to throw to, as head coach Mickey Conn may look to throw the ball more this season than in years past.



On defense, no one will be able to stop junior defensive end Robert Nkemdiche one-on-one. He'll constantly draw extra attention, freeing up opportunities for teammates like Zach Barnes, another big defensive end who could break out this season.

Wayne Gallman, who started his career at Florida's Trinity Christian, could make an impact at linebacker or safety this season. Kasey Gaines, who doubles as a receiver, is an experienced cornerback. Fellow senior Austin Meadows could be used in the same fashion. Gillespie and

Grayson pitched five shutouts last season including a 22-0 blanking of a Valdosta squad that averaged more than 31 points per game. If the new faces in its defense can mature quickly, Grayson will be a very well-rounded team with plenty of firepower on both sides of the ball that should carry it toward a AAAAA title.

Local look: "Grayson is a program that's been as good as any in Georgia the past few seasons, except for the lack of a state title. They've beaten almost every top program over the past four years, from Lowndes to Camden County to North Gwinnett to Valdosta to Peachtree Ridge and Brookwood. It seems inevitable that Grayson will reach the top soon, and this could be their best shot."
- Todd Holcomb, Georgia high school football historian

Continue to School Profile
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Size: 5A


Enrollment: 2,800 (approx.)




2010 finish: 10-4


Head coach: Mickey Conn


Career record: 85-37


Years at school: 11


Notable players coached:
DT Shawn Green (Georgia Tech)
RB Ean Pemberton (Austin Peay)
DE Conrad Obi (Colorado)

Continue to Key Returners
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No. of returning starters: 7 (offense), 4 (defense)

Key losses:
LB Michael Peek
DB Denzel Nkemdiche
DL Nnamdi Ofodile



Key returners:
QB Nick Schuessler
DE Robert Nkemdiche
ATH Korey Jones

Key newcomers:
LB/RB Wayne Gallman
DB Aares McCall
DE Zack Barnes




Continue to Season Outlook
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Toughest game: Brookwood (Snellville, Ga.). A late October matchup with the defending 5A state champions is a tall order on the eve of the playoffs.

Question mark: Will Grayson have enough playmakers on defense outside of Nkemdiche to handle the high-powered offenses it is bound to encounter in the AAAAA playoffs?

Local look: Georgia's AAAAA will be an absolute dogfight this season, with perennial South Georgia powers Lowndes, Camden County and a resurgent Colquitt County to go along with the likes of North Gwinnett, Stephenson, and defending champion Brookwood. The Peach State also boasts some very good smaller schools in Buford and Sandy Creek.

Overall outlook: Grayson has been known for its defense, but in 2011, the team's offense should be superb. The Rams' defensive line will boast one of the best defensive players in the country. If the team's linebackers and secondary mature, which they seemed to do in helping Grayson win a regional 7-on-7 tournament, this could be the season that the Rams go the distance.

Continue to Video of Returning Players
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