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The GCA Cougars gave it their all Friday night in their first game of the season, as they faced off against the Baker County Bears at home. The boys were able to consistently keep the Bears at bay, ultimately winning 48-6.

Highlights of Friday night’s game included senior quarterback Carter Hathcoat, who passed for 87 yards, rushed for 57 yards and scored one rushing touchdown.

Junior tailback Jayfus Ferguson rushed for a total of 196 yards that night, scoring four touchdowns. On defense, Ferguson had five tackles, two assisted tackles, and one quarterback sack.

Kooper Kearns, the team’s senior halfback, rushed for 41 yards total, and had one touchdown. He also led the night’s defense, making eight tackles, four assisted tackles, and two fumble recoveries, one of which scored a touchdown.

Freshman halfback Landon Temples rushed for 97 yards, and also put up a strong effort on defense, making six tackles and six assisted tackles.

Preston Barnett, freshman tailback, rushed for 24 yards that night.

Junior Kevin Brooks had 41 yards receiving total, and made three tackles, along with four assisted tackles.

Corrin McKay, junior, had 46 yards receiving on offense, and four tackles and three assisted tackles on defense.

As for the rest of the team’s defense, sophomore Pate Beckham made six tackles, four assisted tackles, and had one sack; Evan Sigman, sophomore, made five tackles and assisted six tackles that night; freshman Graham Beckham made four tackles and assisted on five tackles; junior John Cruz made five tackles and assisted on two tackles; and Reed McCall made three tackles and assisted with two.

“These boys have worked,” Coach Lance Godwin said, “We’ve got a lot of practice in, that, last year, we didn’t get.” He was excited about the night’s victory, saying, “I’m happy. I told the boys, the receivers, the quarterbacks and the running backs get the glory, but it’s won in the trenches, and our offense and defensive line played better than I ever expected.”

After the game, the Grace cheerleaders gave a bouquet of flowers to Baker County quarterback Trabian Parker, and the Cougar boys took time to thank and address him personally; Parker’s mother passed away earlier this week from COVID, and he had attended her wake that same day.

The Cougars will play against People’s Baptist in a region game this Friday at home; kickoff is at 7:30.