On GRCH Homecoming evening the Eagles played tough all night against a physical Wayland
Union team with the final score not showing how close the game felt. In the first quarter,
Wayland began with a couple of stops of the Eagle offense and two touchdowns of their own to
take the lead. In the second, the GRC offense got rolling through the air, scoring three
touchdowns. Charlie King found Aaron Gholston behind the defense from 30 yards out, Brycen
Clark mashed in for the TD after an air-driven drive featuring Gholston and TE Brandt Alles. The
third Eagles TD drive began with just over two minutes left in the half. King found Gholston,
Alles, Drew Shripka, and Brycen Clark to efficiently move down the field. On 3 rd and 5 with just 5
seconds on the clock, Gholston made a contested catch in the endzone from 11 yards out. The
halftime score was 27-20 in favor of the visitors.
Wayland took the opening kickoff and broke a long TD run and the Eagles needed to answer
back. King and his receivers were struggling to connect until King and Alles orchestrated a 24-
yard catch and run on 4 th down to get the Eagles across midfield. A couple of penalties pushed
the offense back into third and very long but Gholston sped past the defense once again and
King found him for a 53-yard TD. The Eagles Defense stiffened on Wayland’s next possession
with a batted pass from Nasir Zimmerman on 3 rd down forcing a punt. Wayland, tired of letting
Gholston run free, allowed Drew Shripka to work across the middle for a couple of nice gains. A
completion to Adrian Selfe put the Eagles in 2 nd and short. Taking a deep shot, King and
Gholston connected again from 37 yards out for another TD and the game was tied 34-34 as the
third quarter ended. In the fourth quarter, Wayland was able to work their option offense
down the field and GRC was unable to pay off drives with points leading to a final score of 55-34
Wildcats over the Eagles.
Statistically, it was a huge day through the air for GRC, with 4 Eagles having 50+ yards receiving:
Brandt Alles (4 catches – 58 yds), Adrian Selfe (5-51), Drew Shripka (6-54). Aaron Gholston had
a monster day running through and past Wildcat defenders for 12 catches, 195 yards, and 4
touchdowns! Charlie King completed 29 of 40 passes for 377 yds and 4 TDs and also was the
leading rusher with 35 yards. Brycen Clark had 28 yards and the Eagles lone rushing TD. On
defense, Shripka and Clark led the way with 7 tackles each with U’Maree Talley and Davis Hutt
each contributing in 5 stops.
GRC takes to the road next Friday at 7PM to play the Spring Lake Lakers in the final OK White
matchup this season. Roll Eagles!!