Grayson Rams the Devils out of the playoffs.
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.
Ean Pemberton reaching for extra yardage.
Photo by Kayla Jones
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.
QB Devin Gillespie
Photo by Kayla Jones
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.
Sophomore Terrius Watson
Photo by Kayla Jones
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.
