Grace Academy defeated Lookout Valley 21-13 at the latter’s Joe L. Bean Field in both schools’ football season opener Friday night.
The visiting Golden Eagles struck on their first possession after a quick Lookout Valley four-and-out. Grace running back Justin Carter scored on a 29-yard draw, breaking two tackles on his way to a 7-0 lead.
The Yellow Jackets began to establish their own rhythm on offense during the next possession. Freshman quarterback Brett Rogers began to keep off the option read, leading his team down the field on an 11-play, 65-yard drive. Rogers earned the Yellow Jackets’ first score of the night on a 10-yard run to tie the game at 7.
Carter returned the ensuing kickoff from within his own end zone 73 yards to the Lookout Valley 29-yard line, and he scored his second touchdown two plays later on a 3-yard dive to push Grace ahead 14-7.
However, the Yellow Jackets backfield matched the quick pace. Lookout Valley running back Corey Talley dashed around end, leaving Grace defenders behind on a 33-yard end-around touchdown to the left side of the end zone. A failed point-after attempt left the score to 14-13.