Calhoun's Gavin Gray has prep performance of the week

Calhoun quarterback Gavin Gray (11) throws from behind protection.  The Dalton Catamounts visited the Calhoun Yellow Jackets in GHSA high school football action on August 25, 2017.
Calhoun quarterback Gavin Gray (11) throws from behind protection. The Dalton Catamounts visited the Calhoun Yellow Jackets in GHSA high school football action on August 25, 2017.
photo Calhoun quarterback Gavin Gray (11) fakes a handoff to running back Zack Fuller (24) during the Class AAA State Championship football game between Calhoun and Peach County Friday, Dec. 8, 2017 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga.

CALHOUN, Ga. - It was one of those games when coach Hal Lamb was grateful to have someone like Gavin Gray running his offense.

Lamb's Calhoun High School football team had invented several ways to keep visiting Lovett in last Friday's GHSA Class AAA second-round playoff game. Calhoun had three missed field-goal tries, numerous dropped passes and four drives that reached inside the 20 and produced zero points.

The Yellow Jackets led just 7-6 in the fourth quarter when senior quarterback Gray, following an Eric McKnight interception, stuck a dagger in the Lions' chances with a touchdown drive, capping it with a 10-yard pass to Luke Moseley.

"He was on point all night," Lamb said of Gray, who ended the game 21-of-36 passing for 255 yards and three touchdowns. "He managed the game really well, and he had five or six drops as well. He's the trigger man, and I've always been told if you don't have one, your chances of winning are slim.

"We're glad we have him on our side."

Gray is this week's honoree for the BMW prep performance of the week.

Gray, who earlier threw a touchdown pass to Brannon Spector and capped the night with one to tight end Davis Allen, has more than 5,000 career yards and a championship ring. Where he falls short in lack of ideal size, according to Lamb, he more than makes up for in other ways.

"Gavin is just a winner who has great character, and he's very smart," Lamb said of the 5-foot-11, 180-pounder. "He's just a phenomenal kid, and he knows our offense very well. He made some great throws Friday, and he never got frustrated.

"We trust him to run things, and in our offense - where we have RPOs (run-pass options), sprintouts, screen passes and multiple looks - it's important to have that."

Gray and the 12-0 Jackets host surprising Jenkins in Friday's quarterfinal round. The Warriors have an elite defense that thrives on putting pressure on quarterbacks. Instead of worrying about possible pitfalls, Gray is imagining the potential for big plays.

"We know they are a really good team, big and physical, and we need to come out of the gates fast," Gray said. "They will come after me, but I trust our linemen to pick up the blitzes and to have my back, and I have great receivers to get the ball to. I feel we are prepared for anything."

Lamb would expect nothing less.

Contact Lindsey Young at lyoung@timesfreepress.com or at 423-757-6296. Follow him on Twitter @youngsports22.

Upcoming Events