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STAR CORRESPONDENT

Sophomore Grayson Cole had a standout performance on Thursday night at West Greene, rushing for over 200 yards and scoring four touchdowns in Cloudland’s 30-0 victory over the Buffaloes.

“It was nice to get that kind of blocking,” Cole said of his offensive linemen. “I couldn’t imagine anything better. Our goal this year is to take another step forward from where we were last year. We’re getting our momentum going, and we’re gaining confidence, realizing and understanding that we are a good football team.”

Cole, who also plays cornerback on the Highlanders’ defense, helped shut down West Greene, holding the Buffaloes to 47 yards rushing and intercepting four passes. The West Greene offense was limited to just six passing yards.

“Grayson is a young sophomore who has worked hard in the weight room, and he practices well,” Highlanders head coach Zac Benfield said. “He’s a really good leader at practice, always encouraging the others with ‘let’s go.’ He’s real football savvy, and as a coach, you can tell when you show him something that he already knows it.”

Cole is a two-sport athlete, playing basketball in addition to his first love—football. The son of Jonathan and Leanne Cole, he has two brothers, Kingston and Hamilton Cole.

“We want to go far in the playoffs this season,” Cole said. “That’s the goal, and we’re confident that we can get there. We don’t have the numbers that other teams have, so it’s important to get everyone to practice and not get complacent. I show up every day, and everyone else sees that, and they come out.”

Though only a sophomore, Coach Benfield calls him “a young leader. He has the mindset of a senior, and physically, he has fast feet and strong legs. He has a powerful upper body, but his strength is in his legs. It’s a good combination.”

Cole and the Highlanders will take on Hancock County at Orr Field on Friday night.