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

LOGANVILLE, GA, Aug. 29 — We might need to keep doing this.

The Grayson [Loganville, GA] Rams and the Thompson [Alabaster, AL] Warriors have played each other in back-to-back seasons, and both of those games have been classics. Grayson won both of them in overtime including Friday night's 24-23 overtime win in The Sporting News Game of the Week.

Last year's game also went to overtime, and Grayson won after deciding to go for two in extra time, converting for a 15-14 win. This time, No. 7 Grayson scored first to take a 24-17 lead before No. 14 Thompson answered one play later to trim the Rams' advantage to 24-23. At that point, the Warriors decided to try to turn the tables on the Rams by going for two and hoping for a similar result to Grayson's win a year ago.

But Grayson got the stop, holding on for the 24-23 win on home ground in Georgia.

It was another devastating loss for Thompson and continues a trend that started last year. The last four losses for the Warriors have all been one-point decisions in overtime, including all three of their defeats in 2024. Dating back to 2023, they've lost six straight games by three points or less.

This defeat might hurt the worst because Grayson was playing without its 4-star quarterback Travis Burgess, a North Carolina commit, who was injured last week, and has since been ruled out for the season. Thompson has a high-ranked quarterback prospect of its own, but Trent Seaborn threw three costly interceptions in Grayson territory that could have swung the game back in the Warriors' direction.

Thompson will likely be unranked heading back home to Alabama to host the Tuscaloosa County [Northport, AL] Wildcats. Grayson keeps its national title hopes alive – slim though they may be without Burgess the rest of the way – by hosting the powerhouse Mallard Creek Mavericks of Charlotte, North Carolina.

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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.

MORE HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL HEADLINES ...

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Here are the top 20 quarterbacks to watch in South Texas for '25 season