Grundy County beats the Heat, wins on Homecoming

“The kids have just been amazing,” head coach Nick Bryant said. “They keep working hard and putting in the extra work - and I’m not talking just about practice throughout the week. I’m talking about winter workouts, summer workouts and all the things that go on behind the scenes that not everyone sees. I’m glad they’re reaping the rewards.”

Hopkins scored the first two touchdowns of the game to put the Yellow Jackets up 16-0 after one quarter. The senior lined up a running back and took a 2-yard handoff from Kaeden Sitz to the house for the first GCHS score. He followed up with an 18-yard quarterback keeper on the following possession.

Luke Hobbs and Will Foster each added 2-point conversions.

The Heat got a touchdown back and successfully converted for two points on its first possession of the second quarter, but that’s all the Yellow Jackets defense allowed. Hopkins connected with Sitz on a 17-yard touchdown pass with 47 seconds to play in the first half to extend the Grundy lead to 22-8 at the break.

In the third quarter, senior running back Colton Rogers tacked on a touchdown, and freshman defensive lineman River Hampton returned an interception 43 yards for the final score of the night.

“We went crazy on River’s touchdown,” Bryant laughed. “I can’t wait to watch it on film and see it from the end zone camera. He was fired up. He is very athletic, so when he got it and had just one guy to beat, I knew he was going to score.”

To go along with his three touchdowns, Hopkins also led the Jackets with 122 rushing yards on 17 carries. Rogers and Sitz each finished with 55 yards on the ground. The pair also accounted for all four of Grundy’s pass receptions. Sitz caught two for 26 yards and Rogers had the other two for 20 yards.

Defensively, senior Luke Hobbs paced GCHS with seven tackles and one tackle for a loss. Fellow senior Will Foster totaled six tackles with one sack. Ryder Cunningham also picked off a Heat pass and earned 30 return yards on the turnover.

The Yellow Jackets begin a two-week stretch away from Crisp Field this week with a Thursday night contest against Providence Christian Academy. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Middle Tennessee State University’s Floyd Stadium.

PCA is entering its first season of 11-on-11 football and currently sits at 1-3 for the year. Prior to 2023, PCA played 7-on-7.

The Lions are coming off a 42-3 loss to Donelson Christian Academy after defeating Mount Juliet Christian Academy 35-7 two weeks ago.

“They’re very big up front, and it’s going to be a very tough challenge to get them moved,” Bryant said. “I think we’re more athletic, but they’re bigger than I expected them to be. We have to control the line of scrimmage and run the option if we want to be successful.”

PCA will often look to receiver Ethan Rowland and tight end Aiden Bolden to spark its offense. Quarterback Tatum Marks threw three touchdown passes to Rowland in the Lions 35-7 defeat of MJCA, and Bolden scored twice on a free kick return and an interception return.

The Jackets visit Sale Creek on Friday, Sept. 22 before returning home to open region play Sept. 29 against Community.

Player of the Week

Senior Colton Rogers gained 75 yards of total offense in Friday’s win over the Tennessee Heat. The running back rushed for 55 yards, caught two passes for 20 yards and scored a touchdown in the third quarter.