We are locked in for the for the highly touted high school football game, the battle of Georgia. Set to take place at 7 PM ET, Carrollton Trojans and Grayson Rams in the GHSA 6A state football championship, we are almost there. To add to that, we have an interesting story before it all goes down at the Mercedes-Benz stadium. Consider this pre-game snack from us. Soon you will see CFB’s favorite 5-Stars, 4-Stars and other elites doing there thing. With one of them being the biggest name on the field, who’s thumb injury has folks holding their breath. The Buffs signee Julian Lewis has something to share with us.

Otherwise, many of Carrollton’s biggest names are on the defensive side of the ball. Julian Lewis was in a gray-zone going into this game, with his thumb injury picked in the Trojans quarterfinal game. But good lord! the dawgsnation CFB reporter Jeff Sentell brought the news at the very crisp of time on X. “Julian Lewis. Wearing gloves. Playing with a significant injury to his throwing hand that he suffered in the playoffs. That’s an impressive story, too,” Sentell wrote. Definitely good news for varsity HC Joey King. But, however impressive it was, the night didn’t end in Carrollton’s favor.

Facing Grayson’s monstrous front seven, Lewis was essentially running into a buzzsaw. The Rams’ defense, led by 5-star OLB Tyler Atkinson and high 3-star DE Dre Fuller, was like a brick wall with spikes. Atkinson alone racked up a jaw-dropping 153 tackles this season, with 29 tackles for loss and 42 QB hurries. Fuller wasn’t far behind, showcasing his own 12 sacks and 30 tackles for loss. Together, they formed a defensive duo that had Carrollton fans wincing every time the hurt Trojan Julian Lewis dropped back to pass. And yet, despite relentless pressure and a clearly compromised hand, the young quarterback showed guts, threading passes and keeping the Trojans within striking distance for much of the game.

But the battering Rams dominance was more than just brute force. The Rams not only brought the heat with their defensive line but also showcased a secondary that made Lewis’ job even tougher. Still, the Trojans had flashes of brilliance, with Deion Sanders boy orchestrating drives that had shades of his usual magic. Yet, as the game wore on, the gloves too. Every sack and every hurry chipped away at their momentum, and Grayson’s offense capitalized in the second half with 21 unanswered points, sealing the Trojans’ fate in a 38-24 defeat.

The 5-Star DE-led Grayson’s unit wasn’t just the best in Georgia; it’s a national powerhouse. As for Lewis, even in defeat, he left the billion-dollar stadium with his head high. Playing hurt, against all odds.

Turn away Buffs and Carrollton fans

Grayson’s win marks their first state title since 2020 and their fourth since 2011, cementing their place as one of Georgia’s high school football powerhouses. The Rams’ defense, anchored by 2026 five-star linebacker Tyler Atkinson, made life miserable for injured Trojans and Buffs (future) star passer Julian Lewis. They sacked the Colorado-bound signal-caller four times, forced two interceptions, and sealed the deal with a late fourth-quarter fumble recovery.

It wasn’t always smooth sailing for Grayson, though. The Rams jumped out to a quick 10-0 lead in the first quarter, but Lewis responded like the future star he is. With two first-half touchdown passes, he swung momentum Carrollton’s way, giving the Trojans a 14-10 edge. A clutch second-quarter field goal extended their lead to a touchdown, and for a moment, it looked like Carrollton might finally end their championship drought.

Unfortunately for the Trojans, their storybook ending wasn’t in the cards. The loss was especially bitter for a program that has been the winningest in Georgia since 2000, boasting 253 victories but still missing that elusive state championship. It also marked the end of an era for Lewis, who capped an incredible three-year career with over 10,000 passing yards and 144 touchdowns.

Dosen’t matter how it went, you jus got to give it to the kid for putting on the gloves and trying hard.