Georgia’s Grayson Rams are a Team to Fear in 2016
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @HogManInLA
The depth of individual talent in the Peach State between the 2017 and 2018 recruiting class is as good as any other state in the country. All attention immediate goes to top quarterbacks like Davis Mills (Greater Atlanta Christian), Jake Fromm (Houston County), Bailey Hockman (McEachern), Emory Jones (Heard County), Cade Fortin (North Gwinnett), Justin Fields (Harrison), and Trevor Lawrence (Cartersville). The reality is, there is depth at every position among the top schools in the nation making high school games in Georgia this season, and every season, a must see, but only one quarterback, Grayson’s Chase Brice, is hitting the field with a load of his own talent backed by college level players.
The team with the most hype entering the season, and for good reason, at the 8A level is Grayson. The Rams ran their record to 13-1 in 2015 making a four-game run into the playoffs before falling to Roswell (30-26). Now the squad is overloaded with senior star talent on both sides of the ball. If Chase Brice (Clemson) ever gets his jersey dirty it will be a small miracle for the opposing defense. Grayson has stud linemen in tackle Tony Gray, center Will Taylor (Duke), and guard Jalen Jackson.
The Rams also have one of the better back four on defense in the nation with four-star Deangelo Gibbs and Jamyest Williams along with three-star recruit Demetrius Murray. Putting pressure on the opposing quarterbacks helping for errant passes are tackles Ellison Hubbard (6-2, 260) and Steven Banks (6-1, 260).
When it comes to stuffing the run, when Hubbard and Banks have occupied the offensive linemen, four-star 2017 linebacker Breon Dixon is one of the best in the country. The linebacker crops is filled out with three-star talent Aaron Brawley, Eugene Mafah Jr., and a rising star in the 2018 class Solomon Egbe.
When the Rams look to stretch the field on offense, Brice has senior receivers Elijah Shah and Evan Sturgill to target. A player to keep an eye on is 2018 talent Jaylen Rivers. The 6-2, 180, pound playmaker should help the Rams win a lot of games in 2016.
As loaded as Grayson is this year, they have no walk in the park to glory. The Rams have a lot of tough challenges this season starting with a three-game run against IMG Academy (FL), McEachern, and Deerfield Beach (FL). The end of the season is no picnic with Hoover (AL) and South Gwinnett, both on the road. If there is a silver lining with the schedule, of the 10 games on the docket six are at home.
There is only one other team in the nation with a schedule arguably as difficult as Grayson’s, IMG Academy. The Rams get the Ascenders on Saturday in one of the more highly anticipated national games of the season. The winner sets the tone for top national honors come the end of the season.
Aug. 27
IMG Academy at Grayson
Sept. 2
Grayson at McEachern
Sept. 16
Deerfield Beach at Grayson
Sept. 23
Ramsay at Grayson
Sept. 30
Grayson at Rockdale County
Oct. 7
Shiloh at Grayson
Oct. 14
Archer at Grayson
Oct. 21
Newton at Grayson
Oct. 28
Grayson at Hoover
Nov. 4
Grayson at South Gwinnett
Photo credit: usatodayhss.com; Grayson High School takes the field.