MaxPreps Football Tour of Champions celebrates Grayson High School

The 12th Annual MaxPreps Tour of Champions presented by the Army National Guard, made a stop on Thursday, Jan.12 to recognize the Grayson (Loganville, Ga.) High School football team for winning its first state title since 2011 and second overall. This year's title was especially rewarding for the Rams' first-year head coach Jeff Herron.

According to the MaxPreps computer rankings, the Rams finished No. 6 in the nation this year out of 16,000 high school varsity football teams, with a record of 14-1 in the Georgia 7A classification.

Approximately 850 students, coaches and faculty members gathered in the cafeteria during lunch for the Football TOC trophy presentation. A table was set up just outside of the cafeteria, proudly displaying the Minuteman trophy and visiting with hundreds of students, faculty and coaches. Sergeant First Class Willard Elam and Sergeant First Class Jennifer Cheeks of the Georgia Army National Guard passed out commemorative t-shirts.

Athletic Director Brian DeBerry began the ceremony and introduced MaxPreps Representative Dean Craig to crowd. Craig shared MaxPreps' process of determining the team rankings for the Tour of Champions, and spoke of the the team's tremendous season accomplishments. Next, the audience gave a nice welcome as he introduced Georgia Army National Guard SFC Willard Elam.

SFC Elam congratulated the team on being named as one of the top teams in the nation. He and SFC Cheeks presented the Army National Guard national ranking trophy and nationally ranked rafter banner to Coach Herron and the team. The crowd cheered as the players hoisted the trophy into the air and held the rafter banner up as they posed proudly for pictures.

Coach Herron then shared his appreciation to all of the student body and faculty for their continued support which helped make this great season possible. After a few minutes of the players each taking selfies with the highly coveted trophy and soaking up this special moment, interviews were carried out with the coach and with two of the senior players.

The team, coaches and AD Brian DeBerry were extremely appreciative of receiving this national attention and the most premier team award in all high school sports — the Tour of Champions.

Congratulations to Coach Herron and the Rams on a great season and No. 6 national ranking!



Click here to view the Grayson TOC photo gallery and for more information about the Football TOC, please visit the MaxPreps Tour of Champions site.