Georgia Bulletin

The Newspaper of the Catholic Archdiocese of Atlanta

Photo By Michael Alexander
This second quarter play by Grady High School tailback Marcus Caffey (#22) turned out to be the biggest difference in the Oct. 22 game against St. Pius X High School. Once Caffey hurdled over the outstretched arms of Pius defensive back Geno Smith (#4) and maintained his balance, he reeled off a 70-yard touchdown run. It was the only touchdown of the entire game in which Grady defeated Pius 7-6.

Atlanta

Grady Squeaks Past Pius In Defensive Battle

By MICHAEL ALEXANDER, Staff Photographer | Published October 28, 2010

When Grady High School’s football team showed up at St. Pius High School Oct. 22, the teams were pretty evenly matched going into the game. Pius and Grady had identical records of 6-1, and they were averaging 41.4 and 45.1 points per game with three shutouts, respectively. They both had good defenses, too—Grady had held its opponents to 6.1 points per game and Pius had held its opponents to 8.7 per game.

With 4:52 remaining in the first quarter, Pius scored first on a 27-yard field goal by kicker Blair Stuart. Early in the second quarter Grady blocked a second field goal attempt by Pius from 30 yards out that would influence the final score. The biggest difference in the game’s outcome, however, came with 3:38 left in the second quarter when Grady running back Marcus Caffey evaded the Pius defense and shot up the right side of the field for a 70-yard touchdown run. Grady converted its extra point to go up 7-3. Pius added another field goal in the third quarter, but the still slim margin (7-6) resulted in a Pius defeat.

The large stadium crowd was decked out in various pink apparel to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The school also had a brief ceremony prior to the game to honor Pius defensive end coach Bob Gilbert’s late wife, Margaret, who died of breast cancer in the spring of 2009.

Pius (6-2) will host Booker T. Washington High School (6-2), Friday, Oct. 29.

Blessed Trinity High School, Roswell, earned its fifth victory of the season with a 24-20 home victory over Therrell High School of Atlanta. Casey Joseph led the Blessed Trinity rushing attack with 24 carries for 117 yards and one touchdown. Senior Sam Farmer also ran a punt return back for a touchdown. Linebackers T.K. Thomas and Nick D’Amato led the defense with 15 and 12 tackles, respectively. Blessed Trinity (5-3) will take on South Atlanta High School (2-6) at Lakewood Stadium on Friday, Oct. 29.

Our Lady of Mercy High School, Fayetteville, lost its second game of the season after a crushing 70-14 loss to an undefeated Eagles Landing Christian Academy of McDonough. Sophomore Rashard Fant and junior Adam Rose scored Mercy’s only touchdowns. Mercy (6-2) will host Whitefield Academy (2-6) Friday, Oct. 29.