By all accounts, something special is developing with Grace Christian’s football team.
There’s a new coach and system.
There’s a senior quarterback putting up eye-catching numbers.
And now there’s a 4-0 start after going 1-3 against the same four schools last season.
The Rams’ momentum continued Friday with a 35-14 home win against CAK in Division II-AA play.
Grace Christian (4-0, 2-0) surpassed last season’s win total, and first-year coach Justin Price, who coached at Campbell County the previous 13 seasons, hopes this is only the beginning.
“It’s special. And that starts with our leadership here at Grace,” Price said.
“We understand that we can unlock something special here, and we’re on a good path to do that. Also, we’ve got some things we’ve got to work on, and we will continue to take those one thing at a time.”
Senior quarterback Weston Edmondson entered Friday leading the 5Star Preps coverage area in passing yards (752) and passing touchdowns (11). He likely wasn’t dethroned after going 29 of 33 for 336 yards and four touchdowns.
Edmondson seems like a perfect fit for Price’s spread-the-ball-around offense, and the results have been immediate. Edmondson has only thrown 16 incompletions this season out of 89 passes, and has 15 touchdowns compared to one interception.
“He’s just a phenomenal kid and a phenomenal quarterback,” Price said about Edmondson.
“He’s 6-5, he can see the field so well. His arm talent is special. But the big thing about Weston is he plays within himself and he makes good, quick decisions. He’s got a lot of good players around him, the line is doing good.
“Weston Edmondson is a Grace kid. He loves this place and he wants to do something special here. He’s doing his part.”
Edmondson playing within himself and making good decisions was on display throughout the night. The Rams didn’t turn the ball over, and methodically controlled the first half by taking what the defense gave them underneath or in the run game.
Grace ran 40 plays in the first half, while CAK ran 14. The Rams led 21-0 at halftime.
Their final score of the half came with just 11 seconds left on a 13-yard pass from Edmondson to Kaden Webber.
Grace scored touchdowns on all three of its first-half drives. CAK only had two drives in the half.
“Our philosophy is take what they’re giving us. And I felt like in the first half we were just running the ball, throwing some short screens, short passes. And our kids were executing, and we were able to keep moving the chains,” Price said.
“Going on those three long drives – I don’t know if it was necessarily planned that way – but it was the way it worked out. Really proud that our kids were able to execute, because the more plays you have like that, it’s harder to execute at a high level consistently.”
Another reason the Rams were able to control time of possession was success on third- and fourth-down conversions. It started right away on Grace’s opening drive when running back Terrion Thomas ran for a touchdown on fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line.
The Rams converted 4 of 5 fourth downs, and 6 of 13 third downs. The Warriors were 2 of 5 on fourth down, and 4 of 11 on third down.
One of Grace’s third-down conversions was a 38-yard touchdown pass from Edmondson to Blake Perkey to give the Rams a 28-7 advantage with eight seconds left in the third quarter.
Edmondson was looking right, narrowly avoided a sack from multiple CAK defenders, and then saw Perkey open on the left side of the field.
“Third and fourth down, a lot of times that is where it’s won in football,” Price said. “Especially when you’ve got good football teams going at it. CAK is a really good team.”
Braden Ray caught two touchdown passes for the Rams and had eight receptions.
Thomas, who leads the team in both rushing and receiving, tallied 89 yards rushing and 85 yards receiving Friday. He said being close to his quarterback helps with their chemistry.
“We spend a lot of time together, I think that really helps. We talk a lot.”
CAK (1-4, 0-2) scored two second-half touchdowns, but only got as close as 14 points on two instances in the half.
Speedy backup quarterback Seaton Moffitt scored on an 18-yard run, where he was able to turn the corner and get down the left sideline with 9:05 left in the third.
Starting quarterback Shepard Strange found Ward Sterchi on a crossing route from nine yards out midway through the fourth.
Grace added CAK to the list with York Institute and Chattannoga Christian of teams it has defeated this season, after losing to them last year.
Price said his team and the community will celebrate Friday’s win within reason, but also understand there’s more work to be done.
“We’re going to celebrate this. I think our whole Grace community is going to. I still think we can get better. I still think the best is yet to come for us. But it’s a good start that reflects a lot of people that have been involved in Grace football.”
Article written by Matthew Lutey/ 5Star Preps
To read more on area high school sports or to see photo galleries, videos, stat leaders, etc… visit 5StarPreps.com — and use promo code New2024 for 30% off your first year or month subscription.