Gwinnett Daily Post

Grayson running back Terrius Watson (21) runs the ball around Edgewater of Orlando defensive back Willie Johnekens (21) during the second quarter of in a National GridIron Football Classic game played at N. Gwinnett High School on Saturday.

Suwanee — Grayson head coach Mickey Conn stated after the Rams' Saturday night contest with Edgewater that offense is usually slower to come along than defense at the beginning of the season.

Despite winning the season opener, his offense couldn't have been much slower last week with seven points, but it sure did come a long way in the last seven days.

Scoring on its first seven possessions, the Rams ran away with a 49-21 win over the Screamin' Eagles from Orlando, Fla., in the National Gridiron Football Classic at North Gwinnett.

The Rams' running game was in high gear as they piled up 349 yards on the ground, led by 96 yards from Jordan Germany, while getting an additional 127 through the air.

"It took our offense a little time to figure out what it could do," Conn said. "The guys stepped up and made some plays tonight. Nick (Schuessler) ran the offense well and our pass protection really improved from a week ago. I also like the way our backs ran the ball and broke some tackles to pick up extra yards."

Scheussler, Grayson's starting quarterback, took advantage of the strong running game to run up some big plays through the air.

Schuessler only threw the ball four times, but three of those were completions. Two went to Callen Hightower for 106 yards and a touchdown with the other going to Korey Jones for a 21-yard TD strike.

Grayson (2-0) got off to a hot start in the first quarter with three TDs, getting its first on its third offensive play when Schuessler hit Hightower deep down the middle for a 64-yard score.

On the ensuing kickoff, Edgewater inexplicably let the ball hit on the 20-yard line and Corey Schaeffer pounced on the loose ball, giving the Rams great field position at Edgewater's 21.

Three plays later, Devin Gillespie piled in from eight yards out, putting the Rams up 13-0 in a game barely three minutes old.

Gillespie, who finished with 39 yards and one TD on eight carries, was one of 13 Rams to record at least one carry. Terrius Williams also had a solid game with 10 carries and 76 yards, while Wayne Gallman added two TD and 62 yards on eight rushes.

"We've had a lot of kids that have worked hard and it's nice to get to play them," Conn said.

Gallman scored his first TD late in the first on a 14-yard run and later added a 7-yard TD run in the second period.

Edgewater quarterback J.B. Woodman turned in a solid effort, racking up 180 yards on 10 of 16 attempts with three TDs.

But the Screamin' Eagles couldn't balance that out with any type of running game as the Grayson defense held Edgewater to just 40 yards on the ground.

Saturday's win marked the second year in a row Grayson has posted a win in a national event at North. Grayson also won last season by beating Spain Park from Alabama.

"It's fun to play in these events with teams from other states," Conn said. "I know the state of Florida has some really good football. It gives us a chance to show how good Georgia football is and to put us out there in the national light."

Germany also added to the scoring with a 64-yard TD run in the third quarter, while Schuessler chipped in with a 1-yard dive on a quarterback sneak.