The challenge for Grimsley head coach Darryl Brown is to get his team to bring “Championship Intensity” every week, regardless of the opponent. “Championship Intensity” in case you are wondering, is a mindset that ensures the team is focused on the lofty goals Grimsley has set for the season. It’s more than a mindset, it’s an attitude. Regardless of opponent or location, Grimsley players are focused on the task at hand.
On Senior Night, at home against Ragsdale, that “Championship Intensity” was on full display.
Grimsley used a big first half, dominated both sides of the ball and most importantly played a clean game defeating Ragsdale 56-6 to improve to 7-0 on the season and 4-0 in conference. On Senior night it was some of the Senior players that made the biggest contributions for the Whirlies. Senior defensive end Jalen Ashe recorded a sack on a fourth down play and senior wide receiver Michael Hawkins caught 3 passes for 69 yards and touchdown. Of course the usual suspects of Brandon, Mitchell, Anderson and Taylor showed up, but it was some Senior players’ plays that made this win stand out.
Grimsley opened the game by receiving the kickoff and went 79 yards in just 1:23 capped off by 55 yard touchdown reception by Kaden Catoe. Grimsley quarterback Faizon Brandon found the slot receiver on the right side and once Catoe caught the ball 3 yards down field he immediately turned it up and found blocks on his way to the endzone to make the score 7-0.
Ragsdale would then receive the ball and put a nice drive together, driving all the way to the Grimsley 37 yard line. The combination of Tiger running backs Javonte Ford and Fabian Diggs were able to attack the middle of the Grimsley defense. Sometimes 3 or 4 yards at a time, these backs were able to put the Tigers into scoring position. Ragsdale decided to go for it on 4 and long from the Grimsley 37 only to be turned away. Grimsley immediately responded with a 40 yard run by running back Mitchell Summers and then a 15 yard touchdown catch by wide receiver Terrell Anderson to make it 13-0. Grimsley would then complete a 2 point conversion and the score was 15-0 with 5:25 left to play in the first quarter.
Ragsdale would come right back with another long, methodical drive to end the first quarter behind the strong running of Ford and Diggs only to fail again in Whirlie territory on 4th down. Less than one minute later Mitchell Summers ran it in from 2 yards out to make it 22-0. Again, a failed Ragsdale drive would give the Whirlies good field position that they quickly turned it into points. This time in the form of a 51 yard touchdown pass to Terrell Anderson who streaked down the far sideline to make it 29-0 midway through the second quarter.
The ensuing kickoff would see multiple flags after the Ragsdale returner was whistled down on their own 25 yard line. A scuffle near the Ragsdale bench would see multiple players from each team be ejected. The flags would also force Ragsdale to start their next drive from their own 10 yard line. But they would then march 90 yards capped off by a Fabian Diggs 2 yard touchdown run to make it 29-6.
As they have done all season, with time winding down in the first half, Grimsley excluded a great final drive. Brandon would complete 3 passes, Summers would run 5 times and eventually run it in from 4 yards out to make it 36-6 with 1:22 left to play until halftime.
After halftime, the Grimsley Whirlies made adjustments to slow down the running attack from Ragsdale and it worked. The Tigers were forced to make plays through the air and that is not their strong suit. Although they were able to convert a pass play on 3-20 when Braylon Louis found Patrick Carter for 21 yards, the offense was turned away again. After a Whirlie punt the Tigers started their next drive on their own 20 yard line. On 3rd and 5 the ball sailed over head of quarterback Braylon Louis and the Whirlies recovered the fumble on the Tiger 20 yard line. The very next play was a 20 yard touchdown pass to Alex Tayor over the middle to make it 43-6.
After a Ragsdale three in out to begin the fourth quarter, the Whirlies offense would score one final time. This time back-up quarterback Jaquez Crawford connected with Senior wide receiver Michael Hawkins, who took it 42 yards to the house to make it 50-6 with 11:30 to play. Now, with the clock running Ragsdale tried their best to run out the time only to fumble with a minute remaining that was scooped and returned for a touchdown by Grimsley cornerback Alijah Ingram with 1:00 minute remaining in the game. Time ran out before the extra point could be attempted and Grimsley won 56-6
Grimsley ended up scoring touchdowns on 7 of their 9 possessions and turning the ball over once. Ragsdale committed 2 turnovers on the evening.
Faizon Brandon finished 13 of 16 for 247 yards and 4TD in three quarters of work. Mitchell Summers rushed for 97 yards on 10 carries and 2 TD in three quarters. Terrell Anderson caught 5 balls for 122 yards and 2 touchdowns. Alex Taylor had one catch for 20 yards and touchdown while Khyan Battle also caught one for 4. Kaden Catoe caught 3 passes for 70 yards and a touchdown while Michael Hawkins caught 3 balls for 69 yards and one touchdown.
“Championship Intensity” was on full display.
Grimsley will head to Southwest Guilford next week while Ragsdale will take on Northwest Guilford.