The Grace Community Cougars defeated the New Boston Lions 55-48 on Friday, September 19, 2026, at Clyde-Perkins Stadium. The win secured the first coaching career victory for Tyler Fleet, Grace Community's head coach.
With the victory, the Cougars improved their season record to 1-3, while the Lions also moved to 1-3. Grace Community quarterback Slade Etheredge was a key factor in the win, tossing four touchdown passes.
Etheredge completed 17 of 24 passes for 249 yards. His touchdown passes were distributed to Christian Henry, who caught two, and one each to Dylan Stinson and Bradon Alexander. Alexander also led the Cougars' rushing attack, gaining 96 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries. He added three receptions for 67 yards and another touchdown. Bruhn Henry contributed significantly to the ground game with 94 yards and three touchdowns on 11 attempts, along with one reception for 13 yards. Christian Henry was the top receiver with seven catches for 86 yards and two touchdowns, while Stinson had five receptions for 78 yards and a touchdown.
On the defensive side for Grace, Josh Anderson and Stinson each recorded a fumble recovery. Special teams also played a role when Bruhn Henry returned a kickoff 65 yards for a touchdown.
New Boston's offense was led by Javontae Giddens, who rushed for 204 yards and one touchdown on 29 carries. Jadavian Johnson added 129 yards and two touchdowns on 11 attempts. Lions quarterback Ridge England completed 8 of 15 passes for 196 yards and three touchdowns. Christian Morgan was England's primary target, catching five passes for 166 yards and three touchdowns.
The game's scoring began with Grace taking a 14-7 lead in the first quarter. Etheredge connected with Christian Henry for a 43-yard touchdown pass, and Josiah King added the extra point. New Boston responded with a 46-yard touchdown pass from England to Morgan, followed by Juan Delgado's extra point to tie the game. Grace regained the lead when Christian Henry caught an eight-yard touchdown pass from Etheredge, with King again making the extra point.
The Cougars extended their lead to 28-7 with three consecutive touchdowns. Bruhn Henry scored on a 1-yard run and a 4-yard run, both followed by successful extra-point kicks from King. New Boston's Jayden Feagins then scored on a two-yard run, though the extra-point kick failed, bringing the score to 28-13. Grace took a 35-13 lead into halftime after Etheredge threw a 29-yard touchdown pass to Stinson, and King added the PAT with 56.8 seconds remaining in the half.
In the third quarter, New Boston narrowed the gap to 35-27 with touchdown runs by Johnson (23 yards) and Giddens (43 yards), both converted by Delgado's extra points. Grace bounced back with two touchdowns from Alexander—a 2-yard run and a 32-yard reception from Etheredge—with King making both extra points, putting the Cougars up 49-27. England then threw a 41-yard touchdown pass to Morgan, and Delgado's PAT brought the Lions within 49-34. On the ensuing kickoff, Bruhn Henry returned the ball 65 yards for a touchdown, extending Grace's lead to 55-34, though the extra-point attempt missed. New Boston scored the final two touchdowns of the game: a 26-yard pass from England to Morgan and a 10-yard run by Johnson, both with Delgado making the extra points.
Looking ahead, the Grace Community Cougars will travel to Shelbyville to face the Dragons, who hold a 3-1 record, in a 7 p.m. contest at Dragon Stadium on Friday. The New Boston Lions will begin District 9-3A Division II play by hosting Redwater, also 3-1, at 7:30 p.m. on Friday at Lion Stadium.
