Graham celebrates a solid performance with the Class 2 championship!
SALEM- Sometimes things don't go as planned but sometimes they work exactly as you expected. Graham seemed to be clicking on all cylinders for Saturday evenings Class 2 clash. Coach Tony Palmer's G-Men had a speed advantage that Central (Woodstock) could not hide at all.
The Falcons looked great for 2 plays defensively by putting the clamps on the G-Men rushing attack. The stadium however could feel something special was about to happen when quarterback Brayden Meadows stepped back and was looking deep. Braden Watkins would be streaking down the home sideline and would be connected upon in stride for a 67 yard touchdown strike.
Soon after as Central would drive to shift the momentum, the exact opposite happened. Watkins would grab an interception making the crowd go ballistic. Ty'Drez Clements would then dash from 11 yards out to the endzone to give Graham a 14-0 lead at the 9 minute mark.
Central would then remind everyone why they were there. Setting up a solid drive the Falcons would ride Junior powerback Tyler Forbes who gutted the G-Men defensive interior. Forbes would go in from 15 yards out to cut the lead in half with 3:21 left in the first.
Tyler Forbes was the only consistent bright spot for the Falcon offense.
Graham knew that they could strike by the air again based on the defensive position of the Falcons. Jamel Floyd would make a solid grab and go in on the 34 yard connection to make it 21-7 Graham.
Needing to slow the game down Central would try to maintain a good drive but the drive would stall. The Falcons would then execute a perfect fake punt to keep the drive alive with Nicholas Barahona hitting Nathan Lopez for a 22 yard reception. Knowing they get the ball back to start the 2nd half, a score would be big for the Falcons. Unfortunately, at the G-Men 12 yard line they would fumble the football and the score would be 21-7 at the half. That sequence would prove to be a championship changing moment.
Chris Edwards gets a great to keep moving the G-Men down the field.
The 3rd quarter would be filled with good defensive plays and almost broken big plays. Neither team could get on the scoreboard for the quarter as the Falcons could sense their time was running out.
In the 4th, Clements would put the dagger in breaking loose and showcasing the speed G-Men fans have been accustomed to. He would dish on a great move and then race the rest of the way for a 48 yard touchdown to make it 27-7 Graham with 6:32 to play in the game. Meadows would add the last score on a run as Graham captured the 2022 Class 2 title.
Ty'Drez Clements finds daylight to put the game to rest in the 4th.
CENTRAL 7 0 0 0 - 7
GRAHAM 14 7 0 13 - 34
G- Watkins 67 yard pass from Meadows (Nash kick)
G- Clements 11 yard run (Nash kick)
C- Forbes 15 yard run (Luciano Retrosi kick)
G- Floyd 34 yard pass from Meadows (Nash kick)
G- Clements 48 yard run (kick failed)
G- Meadows 2 yard run (Nash kick)
