Grayson's Road to the Dome

was able to get a last minute win over Colquitt County Friday, ensuring them a place in next weeks final of the 2011-2012 GHSA Class AAAAA State Football Championships in the Dome. It will be the first time the Rams have made it to a final.

This was a replay of last year's semifinal - just with a different outcome. Last year, the Packers denied Grayson a shot at the state championship, beating them in the semifinal - and for a time it looked like it might be a repeat. After leading for most of the game, Grayson allowed the Packers to tie it up in the fourth and then flirted with a loss when the Packers took the lead on a field goal in the last 10 minutes. The teams went into the final 30 seconds with the Packers ahead 31-28. But a touchdown by Marcus Linquist off an 8-yard pass from Nick Schuessler allowed Grayson to defeat Colquitt County 35-31 and secured them a spot in next week’s final.

Although a last minute scheduling change by Georgia Public Broadcasting denied those who weren’t at the game an opportunity to watch it on TV, an on demand feed allows those who missed the game to review last nights action here. Officials from GPB TV said the final will be shown next week. In the meantime, you can see a wrap up of all Friday night's semifinal action here.

A play-by-play of the game by MaxPrep provides some of the highlights of a game that gave Grayson fans some tense moments before the final seconds.

Grayson will face Walton in the finals, both teams coming into the game unbeaten for the season. It is also a first appearance in a final for both the Metro Atlanta teams. Walton defeated Lasseter in 30-24 in their semifinal, securing a place in the final.

The previews and predictions of the each team’s chances have already begun on AJC Blogs. Both teams enter next week’s final 14-0 and neither have ever won a state title. It will also be the first time either team has made it to a state championship final.

Kick off of the 2011-2012 GHSA Class AAAAA State Football Championship game between Grayson and Walton will be at 8 p.m. Dec. 10 in the Georgia Dome.