The Grayson Rams have kept the state AAAAA football title in Gwinnett County for the second straight year.
The Rams used a punishing defense to beat Walton, 24-0, Saturday in the Georgia Dome to complete an unbeaten (15-0) season. Walton (14-1) only managed two first downs in the first half.
A year ago, Brookwood rolled to the state title.
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Grayson scored all its points in the first half. The Rams set up the first touchdown by recovering a fumble by Myles Howard in Walton territory. Grayson capped the short drive with Robert Nkemdiche’s touchdown dive from 3 yards out. Nkemdiche finished with 85 yards rushing on 19 carries.
QB Nick Schuessler also passed to Callen Hightower for a 54-yard TD strike. Later, Grayson's Ryan Carter returned a punt 67 yards to the Walton 11-yard line. On the next play, Schuessler rolled right and again found Hightower uncovered for a touchdown.
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A 38-yard field goal by Callen Rhodes gave Grayson its other points.
Grayson, which opened in 2000, became the eighth team from Gwinnett County to win the highest classification since 1996.
Material from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and Georgia Public Broadcasting was used in this report.
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