By: Kenneth Harrison

TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services

Grayson is one of the elite programs in Georgia’s largest classification, AAAAAAA.

The Rams won state championships in 2011 and 2016. They hope to return to the top of the GHSA mountain in 2020.

Last season Grayson was expected to compete for the state championship. They beat Marietta by two touchdowns during the regular season. The Blue Devils were the most talented team in Georgia and they went on to win the 7A championship.

The Rams finished 2019 with a 10 – 2 record. They lost in the quarterfinals to Lowndes, 28 – 20. Lowndes advanced to the state championship game.

Grayson has produced a lot of talent. Most notably, Robert Nkemdiche was a five-star recruit and the top player in the class of 2012.

This season is no different. Wide receiver Daejon Reynolds is the 19^th ranked player in the state and a four-star recruit. He’s committed to Florida. He’s 6’2 and 190 pounds so he has good size. Reynolds played at Central Gwinnett last season and he had 88 catches for 1,534 yards and 14 touchdowns. He was the Touchdown Club of Gwinnett’s wide receiver of the year for the 2019 season.

Quarterback Carlos Del Rio-Wilson is also a four-star recruit and the 20^th ranked player in Georgia. He will join Reynolds in Gainesville. He transferred from McEachern and this is his first season at Grayson. Del Rio-Wilson is 6’3, 205 pounds and he’s a dual threat. He’s in the 2020 Elite 11.

Running back Phil Mafah is the 27^th ranked player in the state and another four-star recruit. The 6’1, 220-pound back is committed to Clemson. He missed several games at the beginning of the season due to a broken collarbone. He ran for 676 yards and 9 TD’s.

Defensive end Victoine Brown is a three-star recruit and the 34^th ranked player in state. He’s committed to Louisville.

The season begins August 21^st versus Creekside. The Seminoles are a 5A team and they were 7 – 5 in 2019. This will be an easy win.

Week 2 is at McEachern. The Indians were 12 – 1 last year and they are a very good team. This will be a close win.

Stephenson comes to town next. The Jaguars were 10 – 2 last season and they were one of the best 4A teams. They can’t compete with 7A talent though and Grayson wins big.

The Rams travel to Archer in Week 4. Last year’s game was very close, a 34 – 31 Grayson win. The Tigers are looking to build off of their momentum from 2019 after finishing 9 – 4. This will be another close game but I give the edge to Grayson.

Paul Bryant high school from Alabama comes to town. I don’t know much about the Stampede but I know they can’t compete with Grayson.

Mill Creek is next on the schedule. The Hawks are a very good team and were 10 – 3 in 2019. This will be a battle, but the Rams will win.

Grayson travels to South Gwinnett for the sixth game. The Comets are a bad team and they’ll lose by 30.

After a bye week Parkview is the next game. The Panthers were 12 – 2 last season and they are led by four-star running back Cody Brown. I think Parkview will win.

The final two games are at Brookwood and Newton. They’ll win both games. I think Grayson will make it to the state championship game in 2020. They are the most talented team in Georgia.