Grady celebrates ‘Senior Knight’ as Banneker wins 21-18

Grady+takes+the+field+while+ripping+through+a+Sen18rs+banner

Sean Sweeney

Grady takes the field while ripping through a ‘Sen18rs’ banner

Grady finished the season 2-7 after a 21-18 loss at home to Banneker (8-2) on Fri. Nov. 3 to seal its first losing season since 2001.

The Trojans went up 21-0 in the third quarter, but the Knights came storming back after late touchdown catches by senior wide receiver Quillan Felton and senior tailback Craig Philpot in their last game for Grady. A missed PAT on the first score, however, forced the Knights to go for 2 after the next two touchdowns. Neither were successful, forcing the Knights to attempt an onside kick in the waning moments of the fourth quarter following the score by Philpot on a long run following a checkdown pass by sophomore quarterback Alvin James III. Banneker recovered the kick and were able run the clock out and secure their victory.

The Trojans play Southwest DeKalb on Fri. Nov. 10 after securing third place in Region 6-AAAAA. This is Grady’s first season out of the postseason since 2014.

Grady loses 17 seniors, but over half of the current roster of underclassmen return.

Sean Sweeney
The Grady Knights line up for the Star Spangled Banner before their last game of 2017.
Sean Sweeney
Head coach Earthwind Moreland walks onto the field at Grady Stadium.
Sean Sweeney
‘Senior Knight’ banner commemorates those who played their final high school football game on Friday.
Sean Sweeney
Senior Da’vione Thomasson awaits a kickoff.
Sean Sweeney
Players collide in the air to attempt to come away with the football.
Sean Sweeney
Grady takes the field while ripping through a ‘Sen18rs’ banner.
Sean Sweeney
Senior Du’jwan Washington steps back into coverage.
Sean Sweeney
Knights players catch their breath in their own red zone
Sean Sweeney
Knights players huddle around their coach for guidance.