The Grayson defense allowed Central QB Eric Forrest (15) to throw for 213 yards but made big plays to keep the Black Knights out of the end zone.
This was a game that pitted a Central (4-3, 3-2) offense that had averaged 24 points a game in their first seven games of the season against a Grayson (8-0, 6-0) defense that had allowed just 51 points in their first seven games, a 7.2 average. If the old football adage that says offense wins games while defense wins championships is true, Grayson may be on their way to a state title in Georgia’s largest classification.
The Rams have one football state championship, having earned the AAAAA title in 2011 when the team went 15-0 and finished the season as the No.1 ranked team in Georgia and No. 18 nationally by MaxPreps.
The 28-0 victory over Central is Grayson’s second shutout in the last three games, third of the season, and keeps the Rams at the top of the region standings. Dacula (7-0, 5-0) defeated Brookwood (2-6, 2-4) Friday to remain undefeated and trails the Rams by a half-game with the two teams scheduled to meet this week.
Forrest was picked off twice in 43 attempts in the Central loss to Grayson.
While the Grayson defense allowed the duo of Eric Forrest (26-of-43 for 213 passing yards) and Major Bellamy (9 R for 57 yards) to pick up yards, they made big plays-including two interceptions at critical times- that kept Central off the scoreboard and Brent carried the ball 30 times for 153 yards on the night and scored a touchdown to lead the offense.
Grayson DE Bryce Morias (90) is part of a Rams defense that has shutout two of their last three opponents.
Set to receive the second-half kick and trailing by just two touchdowns Central seemed poised to start a comeback but a fumbled return changed that quickly. The Rams recovered and turned the turnover into a three touchdown lead less than a minute into the third quarter and then put together a fourth-quarter scoring drive that extended their lead to four touchdowns that took more than six and a half minutes off the clock to secure the win.
While Grayson and Dacula will meet in a battle of undefeated teams in Week 10, Central will be home against defending region champion Archer (4-3, 4-1).
Gwinnett Daily Post, Georgia High School Football Daily and MaxPreps were stat sources for this article.
Images courtesy of Classic Image Photography
"Like" Gwinnett Sports Report on Facebook for chat and news.
Twitter @mdronsports