The Grayson County football team continued the 7-on-7 portion of their preseason at Cougar Stadium on Tuesday evening.
The Cougars were joined by Hart County, Nelson County, and Butler County in the games played.
7-on-7 football rules have teams start with the ball on the 40-yard line. They have three plays to get to the 20-yard line, then three each to gain 10-yards apiece. Teams are only allowed to pass the ball and defenses play “two-hand” touch.
Grayson County played four total games with a 2-2 record. They fell to Hart County twice while defeating Butler and Nelson.
“Each time we get out here we get a little more comfortable,” head coach Bryan Jones said. “It’s nice to get out here and do some things against other teams, but on the flip side of that, it’s kind of ‘fake football’ because everyone knows you’re throwing the ball, linebackers don’t read run, it changes some things.”
Hart County (Game One)
Grayson County moved the ball well to start off but could not find the endzone. Luckily, the defense forced a pair of turnovers highlighted by an interception by sophomore Kolby Chaffins.
After both teams went three full possessions without scoring, the Raiders beat the Cougars deep for a 40-yard touchdown to jump ahead 6-0.
Chaffins entered the game at quarterback and found Jeren VanMeter on consecutive 20-yard completions to tie the game.
The Raiders would turn in a six-play drive to score after a receiver ran from sideline to sideline to only pick up a few yards, but it was enough for the first down.
That score would hold and Hart won 12-6.
Nelson County
Kolby Chaffins got the opportunity to play more in the second game and took advantage of it. He started the drive with a pair of completions to Jeren VanMeter before closing with a touchdown pass over the middle to Jayden Kinney.
The Cardinals answered fast with a four-play drive to tie the game up 6-6.
On the next play, Chaffins found Michael Wood down the near sideline and delivered a perfect ball for a 40-yard touchdown.
“He’s got some flashes of some real good, exciting things,” Jones said about Chaffins. “He earned his right to get some reps with the ‘ones.’ He made some throws in there with some younger guys that I thought, ‘I want to see him run with our better receivers.'”
Starting quarterback Hunter Felty re-entered the game and was crisp. He led the Cougars on back-to-back touchdown drives while going 6/7 passing with each being capped by a touchdown catch by Wood.
Felty’s bounceback is something that Jones is really proud of.
“Hunter felt the competitiveness of the situation,” he added. “I’ll be honest with you, the next two drives Hunter had after that were probably the best two drives he’s had in 7-on-7 yet.”
Grayson won the game overall 24-12.
Butler County
Defense was the story for game three of the evening for Grayson County as they faced rival Butler County.
This season, the Cougar defense will once again be coached by Kevin Embry who returns after taking a year off.
“Having Coach (Embry) back is a huge asset to us,” Jones said.
Their first drive saw Hunter Felty intercept a Bears pass before leading the Cougars on a four-play scoring drive. That score was all GCHS would need in a 6-0 victory.
Grayson’s defense would force Butler County into turnover on downs on three of their next four drives with the other having an interception by Mason Cariel.
Hart County (Game Two)
With there still being a little daylight remaining, the Cougars and Raiders decided to use it for one final game. Each team would only get two possessions, but it was Hart County who turned in the lone score to win 6-0.
Michael Wood finished the game off with an interception.
Grayson County will be back in action on Thursday for a 5:30 pm start time at Hart County.
The team will play two full-on scrimmages with a road game against Hancock County on August 5 and hosting Hopkins County Central on August 12.
The 2022 Cougars will officially open the regular season at home against Edmonson County on August 19.
By Sam Gormley, Play-By-Play Announcer/Local Sports
Reach Sam at sam@k105.com
