The Grace Community Cougars opened their district football season with a 39-21 victory over the Arlington Grace Prep Lions on Friday at Clyde-Perkins Stadium in Tyler. The Cougars secured the win by outscoring their opponent 19-0 in the final quarter, overcoming a 21-20 deficit heading into the period and an earlier 14-0 disadvantage in the second quarter.
The victory improves Grace Community's overall record to 3-3 and their district record to 1-0 in TAPPS Division II District 2 play. Arlington Grace Prep now stands at 3-3 overall and 0-1 in league play.
Grace Community took control in the fourth quarter with three unanswered touchdowns. Quarterback Slade Etheredge connected with Christian Henry for a 42-yard touchdown reception with 9:28 remaining in the game. The Cougars extended their lead after a snap went over the head of Arlington Grace Prep quarterback Carson Lednicky near midfield, leading to a fumble recovery by Wyatt Buchanan, who returned it 24 yards for a touchdown with 7:26 left in regulation. The scoring surge concluded when Elias McQuay intercepted a pass and returned it 64 yards to set up a 2-yard touchdown run by Bradon Alexander with 3:40 remaining.
Arlington Grace Prep had taken an early lead, scoring twice in the second quarter. Quarterback Carson Lednicky connected with Carter Smith for a 14-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter at the 7:26 mark, followed by a 73-yard reception by Smith in the second period at 7:39, establishing a 14-0 lead.
Grace Community began to chip away at the lead before halftime. With 4:56 remaining in the second quarter, Etheredge threw a 9-yard touchdown pass to Henry, bringing the score to 14-7 at intermission after Josiah King's extra point.
In the third period, Grace Community took its first lead. Etheredge scored on an 8-yard run up the middle at 4:11, followed by a 26-yard touchdown pass from Etheredge to Henry at 1:20, making the score 19-14. Both two-point conversion attempts failed. Arlington Grace Prep regained the lead late in the third quarter when Smith caught a 67-yard touchdown pass from Lednicky with 19 seconds left, making the score 21-19.
Bradon Alexander led the Cougars in rushing with 139 yards on 15 carries. Etheredge completed 15 of 22 passes for 288 yards and three touchdowns, with seven of his completions coming in the second half. Christian Henry recorded seven receptions for 103 yards and three touchdowns. For Arlington Grace Prep, Lednicky completed 21 of 45 passes for 341 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions. Carter Smith had seven receptions for 213 yards and three touchdowns.
Grace Coach Tyler Fleet acknowledged the comeback, noting that “Being down 4-0 in turnover margin and able to come back and take the lead, that shows how many things we were doing right.” He also emphasized the need for the team to play well for all four quarters and improve ball security. The Grace Community defense made key stops, holding Arlington Grace Prep on downs twice inside the red zone during the first half. In addition to McQuay's interception in the fourth quarter, Skylar McGee also intercepted a pass for Grace Community later in the game.
The Cougars will next travel to Dallas Bishop Dunne for a 7 p.m. contest on October 9. Arlington Grace Prep has a bye week before hosting Bishop Dunne at 1 p.m. on October 17.
