FINAL: No 7 Grayson [GA] escapes with 24-23 overtime win over No. 14 Thompson [AL]

LOGANVILLE, GA — The No. 7 Grayson [Loganville, GA] Rams have beaten the No. 14 Thompson [Alabaster, AL] Warriors, 24-23, in overtime.

Thompson has thrown three interceptions deep in Grayson territory, but the Warriors have still managed to take the lead. Grayson is playing without quarterback Travis Burgess, who was injured last week and is going to miss the rest of the 2025 season.

And if it's anything like 2024's season opener, we're in for quite a night.

The two teams played to a 7-all standstill in regulation a year ago after Grayson had marched down the field to score on its first possession. Later, Thompson's defense made up for allowing that early touchdown by scoring one of its own on an interception return.

And that was it. The two teams had to go to overtime to settle their differences, and after the Warriors had taken their first lead at 14-7 following the first possession of overtime, the Rams answered with a score of their own to trim the lead to 14-13.

But instead of lining up for the expected PAT, the Rams chose to go for two, ultimately converting and getting out of Alabaster, Alabama, with a 15-14 win.

They'll play the sequel to that instant classic tonight in Loganville, Georgia.

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STREAM: Watch No. 14 Thompson [AL] vs. No. 7 Grayson [GA]

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FINAL: GRAYSON 24, THOMPSON 23 (OT)

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|| OVERTIME ||

Grayson takes its only lead of the game in overtime, and then holds Thompson as the Warriors score and then go for two. It's over in Loganville, and the No. 7 Rams somehow find a way to win this.

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|| FOURTH QUARTER ||

Eight seconds to go, and Grayson's Deuce Smith finds Saif Bin-Wahad for a 27-yard strike! Smith is filling in for the injured Burgess, and after a rough three quarters, he's found his stride here in the fourth quarter. An excellent two-minute drive engineered by the junior there.

End of 4th Qtr — GRAYSON 17, THOMPSON 17

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Nice scramble by Grayson's quarterback to Thompson's 27.

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But there was another flag after the play on Thompson, and Grayson gets the first down to extend the drive. They're around Thompson's 35-yard line.

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On a 4th and 10, Grayson gets a pass interference call against Thompson. But there's also an offensive penalty, so it's off-setting and we replay fourth down.

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With 2:09 to play, Trent Seaborn finds sophomore Dedrick Kimbrough all alone on the right sideline for a 49-yard touchdown pas.

4th Qtr — THOMPSON 17, GRAYSON 10

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Grayson pulls even!

4th Qtr — GRAYSON 10, THOMPSON 10

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Grayson has driven inside Thompson's 10 where they'll have a 1st and goal.

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Don't look now, but Grayson is finally on the move in Thompson's end of the field.

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|| THIRD QUARTER ||

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Thompson has been sloppy. That big Grayson defense has forced four turnovers, and it has kept the Rams in this. Without Burgess at quarterback, however, the Grayson offense has had no answers for Thompson's stout defensive unit. We've got just under eight minutes to go in the game, and Grayson has the ball. They won't get too many more opportunities on a night that has belonged to the defenses.

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Thompson scores a touchdown in the third quarter to take the lead in Loganville.

3rd Qtr — THOMPSON 10, GRAYSON 3

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We're under way in the third quarter!

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|| SECOND QUARTER ||

And that's where we head to the half. Thompson has thrown three interceptions deep in Grayson territory, but they're still even at 3-all.

Halftime — GRAYSON 3, THOMPSON 3

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It's been another defensive struggle, but Grayson adds a field goal to pull even.

2nd Qtr — GRAYSON 3, THOMPSON 3

|| FIRST QUARTER ||

Thompson has been in the red zone twice, but only has a field goal to show for it so far. But, they've dominated play in this one after the first 12 minutes.

End of 1st Qtr — THOMPSON 3, GRAYSON 0

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Thompson took over after the early fumble and drove into Grayson's red zone. Warriors' QB Trent Seaborn then through an interception in the end zone so we're all square on turnovers early on. No damage has been done, yet, but the exchange is potentially more costly for Thompson since they were in the red zone. It likely kept points off the board for the visitors.

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And we're under way! The big story is Grayson QB Travis Burgess missing tonight's game. It's already proved to be a problem as the Rams fumbled an exchange in the backfield giving Thompson possession in the Rams' end of the field.

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TOP 25 AND THE GAME OF THE WEEK ...

While you're getting ready for tonight's big game, get yourself up to speed on the preseason edition of The Sporting News High School Football Top 25.

Then check out Last week's Top 25 Roundup to see how the rest of our Top 25 fared in National Week 2.

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OUR PRESEASON ALL-AMERICA TEAMS ...

Finally, don't miss out on The Sporting News Preseason All-American Teams that just debuted today!

The Sporting News High School Preseason All-American Offense 2025

The Sporting News High School Preseason All-American Defense 2025

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We'll check back in here in a while with a look at some more storylines and an update on the weather.

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