7a Recap Grimsley vs Clayton Top Performers

Grimsley vs. Clayton was a monster matchup from the opening kick. Grimsley came in chasing a back-to-back title behind their all-world quarterback, while Clayton countered with their own superstar signal caller and a roster built to challenge the giant. It was heavyweight vs. heavyweight, and neither side flinched.   With a ton of Division I talent spread across the field on both sidelines, this one felt like a college game under the lights. Big plays, big moments, and stars answering every challenge — this was the kind of stage elite players dream about.   Simply put, this was the premier game of the weekend, and it lived up to every bit of the hype.    [player_tooltip player_id='1243204' first='Aiden' last='Smalls'] — NC State commit QB — is an electric athlete at the position. He's a lot faster than you'd expect, with real burst when he tucks it and goes. Smalls has a live arm and can make every throw, but what really separates him is his ability to create when the play breaks down.   He plays the game with that Russell Wilson–type feel — extending plays, keeping his eyes downfield, and hurting defenses with both his arm and legs. Already has pretty good size for a high school QB, and once he adds that college weight and strength, look out. His ceiling in Raleigh is extremely high.     [player_tooltip player_id='1165755' first='Keshawn' last='Stancil'] — University of Miami commit — is the perfect blend of nasty and competitiveness in the trenches. He brings an edge every snap and plays with the kind of motor you want from a dominant lineman. In one-on-one situations, he's almost unblockable — and even when offenses throw two bodies at him, it's still a battle to slow him down.   Stancil has great size and natural strength, and he knows how to use it. He collapses pockets, resets the line of scrimmage, and forces offenses to game plan around where he lines up. That combination of power, toughness, and competitive fire is exactly why he's headed to Miami and projects as a difference-maker at the next level.     [player_tooltip player_id='444280' first='Jordan' last='Hamm'] is an elite athlete and, for long stretches of that game, he was the best player on the defensive side of the ball. He has a great frame and brings a rare blend of speed, length, and physicality that jumps off the tape.   Hamm lines up off the edge but can stand up and play like a linebacker, showing the versatility to impact the game in multiple ways. He sheds blockers with ease, plays with good leverage, and has the range to make plays outside the box. That edge/LB hybrid skill set makes him a tough matchup and a chess piece for any defense.   With his tools and production, it wouldn't be a surprise at all to see Hamm pick up his first Power 4 offer this offseason. He's trending fast and looks like a next-level defender in the making.     Jaheim Stevenson had a great game in his own right, constantly around the ball and in on what felt like every run play. He showed strong instincts, good pursuit, and a natural feel for finding lanes to the football, making life tough for the offense all night.   Only a sophomore, Stevenson still has plenty of development ahead, but the flashes are already there. With his motor and playmaking ability, he should absolutely be on the radar moving forward. That kind of early impact usually turns into something special as the game slows down for him.     [player_tooltip player_id='284090' first='Faizon' last='Brandon'] — University of Tennessee commit — is the #1 quarterback in North Carolina and one of the top prospects in the entire country, and it's easy to see why. He's a massive presence at the position with the strength and build of a power runner, yet he still has the athleticism to pull it down and hurt you with his legs. Once he gets moving, he's almost impossible to bring down.   What really stands out, though — and often goes unnoticed — is how clean his game is. Brandon simply doesn't make many mistakes. Defenses threw blitz after blitz at him all night, and he handled every one of them with poise: slipping pressure, escaping when needed, or smartly throwing the ball away. No panic, no wasted plays.   That combination of size, mobility, toughness, and decision-making is rare. Brandon looks every bit like a future SEC starter and a quarterback who can change a program the moment he steps on campus.     Micah Williams, senior RB for Grimsley, was the engine of their ground attack all night long. When they needed tough yards or to steady the offense, Williams was the one answering the call, consistently churning out positive runs and finishing with over 100 yards on the ground.   He may be shorter in stature, but he's built with a stout, powerful frame. Williams runs with great pad level, shows real toughness between the tackles, and still has enough speed to hit the crease and get vertical. That blend of compact power and burst gives him a skill set that can translate to the next level.   Reliable, physical, and productive — Williams was a key piece in Grimsley's offensive game plan in this heavyweight matchup.     Cooper Hudson, senior WR for Grimsley, got things started with the first touchdown of the night, hauling in a short slant and finishing it off in traffic. He showed exactly what you want in a reliable target — sure hands, strong focus, and the ability to make tough catches with defenders draped on him.   Hudson added two more receptions for just under 40 yards, but his impact went beyond the stat line. The constant threat he posed forced defensive backs to stay honest and opened things up for others in the offense. He may not have filled the box score, but his presence was felt every snap he was on the field.     [player_tooltip player_id='1751605' first='Drew' last='Searls'] is a prototypical linebacker with the size, speed, and instincts you want at the position. He was truly sideline-to-sideline all night, flying to the football and consistently showing up at the point of attack.   Searls played a huge role in neutralizing Clayton's run game, diagnosing plays quickly and filling gaps with authority. He led Grimsley in tackles and, just as importantly, in overall defensive impact — setting the tone with his physicality and motor.     [player_tooltip player_id='1788066' first='Makai' last='Yon'] proved to be the ultimate two-way difference-maker for Grimsley and came up huge when it mattered most. In a game filled with stars, Yon delivered the defining moment on defense — jumping the route for a clutch interception and taking it back to the house.   That pick-six sealed the game, pushed it out of reach, and completely flipped the momentum in Grimsley's favor. His instincts, ball skills, and competitiveness showed up on the biggest stage, and it was no surprise to see him voted Defensive Player of the Game.

Grimsley vs. Clayton was a monster matchup from the opening kick. Grimsley came in chasing a back-to-back title behind their all-world quarterback, while Clayton countered with their own superstar signal caller and a roster built to challenge the giant. It was heavyweight vs. heavyweight, and neither side flinched.