Instant Classic: Grimsley defeats Hough 35-28
It was an instant classic in Jamieson Stadium tonight as Hough’s hail mary attempt was ruled incomplete and the Grimsley Whirlies captured a thrilling 35-28 win to advance to the West Regional Championship Game. Down by 7 with just three seconds left on the clock, Hough quarterback Trey Blakeney had just enough time to throw a deep fade route from the Whirlie 35 yard line. The pass was caught, but well out-of-bounds, sealing the victory as Whirlie players and fans rushed the field in joy.
And while some might remember the hail mary ending, what should be remembered is the incredible, improbable, shoeless final touchdown drive for Grimsley. It was a 77 yard, 4 minute, 15 second thing of beauty. Hough had just tied the game, and had all the momentum. The Huskies had erased a 15 point halftime deficit to tie the score at 28-28 with just 4:55 to play. Hough first three drives of the second half had all gone for touchdowns, and if they could get a stop, and get the ball back, they could finally find a way to avenge the last two years of playoff losses at Jamieson Stadium. But Grimsley had other ideas. They had Big Mitch and Fazion Brandon.
I don’t know if there is anything left to write about Mitchell Summers, but the senior’s 42 yard run on third down, to set-up the Whirlies in Hough territory, wearing only one shoe, needs to be added to the ledger. Grimsley needed to move the sticks, and just as importantly, run the clock down to prevent Hough from getting the ball back with too much time left. And when they needed a big play to move the chains, they handed it off to Big Mitch. It looked like a run to the right, but seeing a cutback lane, he slammed on the brakes, put his foot in the ground and went left. The cut was so hard that he lost his plant leg shoe and took off, wearing just a sock, for weaving and twisting 42 yard gallop to set up Grimsley in plus territory. Crossing midfield gave the Whirlies field possession and ran valuable time off the clock.
I don’t know if there is much left to write about Fazion Brandon either, but the quarterback’s touchdown throw on fourth down was so perfectly placed it too needs to be added to the ledger. With under a minute to play in the game, the Whirlies were in no-man’s land. Summers long run got the ball down to the 30. Two plays later they got it down to the 21 but Summers was slow to get up and needed the trainers to come check on him. Then came decision time. Fourth down and one from the 21 and no Summers. But on a cold night do you try a 37 yard field goal? Grimsley lined up to go for it.
Trying for the hard count, the Whrilies were the one’s to flinch, backing them up 5 yards. Now it is fourth down and six from the 26 yard line of Hough and still with no Summers. Not wanting to risk a long field goal, coach Brown sent the offense back on the field. Brandon took the snap, rolled right and then threw the ball all the way back across the field to a wide open DJ Howerton. It was an improbable play that went for a 26 yard touchdown reception and put the Whirlies back on top with 46 seconds to play. It was perfectly executed, a great throw and catch and proved to be the game winner.
On the ensuing Hough possession, Grimsley would get a big Brice Davis sack on Blakeney, forcing them to burn a timeout. With less than 40 seconds left, Hough tried to move the ball like their three previous possessions but the Whirlie defense was aggressive and the pass rush made every Blakeney throw difficult. Hough did get close enough to try a hail mary as time expired but Grimsley defended it well.
It was a classic.
In the first half, Hough drew first blood, scoring a rushing touchdown to make it 6-0 after the extra point was missed. Grimsly then answered back with three straight touchdowns to make it 21-6. The first score was a one-play drive, a 80 yard touchdown run by who-else, Mitchell Summers. Howerton caught a touchdown to make it 14-6 then Summers again, a 71 yard run to make it 21 to 6 at halftime.
After halftime Hough really started to play well on offense. They took the opening kickoff and drove 71 yards to cut it to 21-13. After a Grimsley three and out, they promptly drove 55 yards and converted a two-point attempt to make it 21-21. After Hudson Cooper caught a 10 yard pass to make it 28-21 Grimsley, Hough went right back down the field, 75 yards and tied the score with 4:55 remaining. Then Big Mitch and Fazion Brandon went to work.
Momentum swings, big plays, frigid weather and cheering fans, this game had it all. It was that final Grimsley drive though, the one that put them up 35-28 that may be remembered for awhile.