Championship Secured! Grimsley finishes the season with a win over Rolesville 35-23 in the State Championship Game.
from Mike Fanning for GreensboroSports.com
The offense started hot, the defense ended strong, and the Grimsley Whirlies were crowned 4A State Football Champions in Kenan Memorial Stadium Friday night. The wire-to-wire 35-23 win over the Rolesville Rams capped off a perfect season for Darryl Brown’s Grimsley team. Whirlie quarterback Fazon Brandon was named game MVP after he threw for 182 yards and 2 touchdowns. He also ran for the game sealing touchdown early in the fourth. Mitchell Summers, who was injured for most of the second half, was named Offensive MVP. Summers ran for 126 yards on 26 carries and 2 touchdowns. Grimsley’s defensive MVP was Brice Davis who collected 6 tackles, 3 TFL’s and 3 sacks.
The Grimsley offense started hot scoring touchdowns on their first two possessions to make it 14-0. Then Roseville settled down and scored two touchdowns to make it 21-7 at the half. Grimsley would be intercepted on their first drive of the second half and Rolesville returned it to the Grimsley 22 yard line. But the Whirlie defense came up with a monster stop on 4th down inside their own 10 yard line to maintain the 7 point advantage. It was yet another big stop for the Grimsley defense in these playoffs. Rolesville’s next drive would result in a field goal to cut it to 21-17 to start the 4th. But Grimsley’s offensive responded. A 79 yard drive, engineered behind the throwing arm of Brandon gave the Whirlies a much needed touchdown to make 28-17 early in the fourth. Grimsley would then get another defensive stop and go 65 yards in two plays thanks to a Brandon to Hudson Cooper 63 yard touchdown pass to make it 35-17 with 4:38 to go. The Rams would score a touchdown as time expired to make your final 35-23. Coach Brown was given the gatorade bath and then handed the 4A Championship banner in front of a huge contingent of Grimsley fans and students.
Rolesville slightly outgained Grimsley in total yards of offense 336 to 327. The difference was in the turnovers. Rolesville had 2 interceptions, missed a field goal and was 1 of 3 on 4th down. Grimsley finished the season a perfect 16-0. Rolesville finished 14-2.