This past Friday night at Charlie W. Stadium was Gray Collegiate’s first trip to the Class 2A finals in the program’s 8-year history.

The War Eagles made it count by defeating Silver Bluff 49-14 to earn the state championship. After the game, head coach Adam Holmes reflected on the accomplishment as the team celebrated winning the school’s first state football title.

“I didn’t know if it would take us eight years, but it was our goal from the get-go, to be here,” Holmes admitted. “We were purposely building our program into a state title contender. That we’ve done it now speaks volumes about the work ethic of our program, of this team, and of the support we have received from our school administration.”

After a scoreless first quarter, Gray Collegiate got on the board first in the second quarter. It was a 3-yard touchdown run from K.Z. Adams, who used most of the wide side of the field before slicing into the end zone untouched. Silver Bluff quarterback Maleik Williams tied the game with a 94-yard touchdown run.

From that point on, Gray Collegiate dominated the game on both sides of the ball. Tory Kelly scored a touchdown off of a blocked punt and the offense added two more scores on touchdown runs by quarterback Tre Robinson and Adams to make it 28-7 at the half.

The second half offered more of the same, with the War Eagle defense stifling the Bulldogs offense on nearly every series and Gray’s offense anchored by a 311-yard, three-touchdown rushing night from Adams.

“I’ll go on record and say he’s probably the best football player I’ve ever coached against,” said Silver Bluff head coach DeAngelo Bryant, who previously spent six seasons as a White Knoll assistant. “I think a lot of other coaches in the state will probably say the same thing.

On the first two possessions of the second half, Gray Collegiate took advantage of big plays and long runs from Adams and Robinson to extend their lead to 42-7.

Williams’ second touchdown run with 2:38 left in the third quarter was the Bulldogs’ final score. Adams broke free for another run, this time for 42 yards, at the close of the quarter and then finished the scoring on the ensuing first and goal play from the 2 yard line to seal the title victory.

“It’s an amazing group of seniors,” Holmes said. “15 seniors. Guys that are selfless. They played for the names on their chest, not their back. We had five to six guys playing both ways all the time. You see what K.Z. does, Tory Kelly. I mean all of those guys just laid it all on the line for us and that’s what the difference in what this football team did over the course of this year. I’m so proud of those guys.”

Adams left the field for the last time in the waning minutes of the game. In a season where he rushed for a state-record and nation-leading 3,343 yards and 40 touchdowns, he credited his coaches and teammates for the win.

“This win means everything to me, it feels good,” Adams said. “The coaches have had such trust in me to give me the ball so much, I just appreciate what they have done for me and for this team because I like it when everybody wins, and tonight we are all winners.”