KZ Adams proves ‘legendary’ as Gray ousts perennial power Abbeville from playoffs

After falling to Abbeville in two previous playoff encounters, Gray Collegiate had one answer Friday night that stymied the defending 2A state champion Panthers: KZ Adams.

Adams rushed for 322 yards and three touchdowns, and the War Eagles notched a 31-15 victory over the Panthers in the third round of the 2A playoffs in a game played at Fairfield Central High School’s E.K. McLendon Stadium.

Adams even proved his worth on defense, recovering a fumble and coming down with an interception to help put the game on ice.

“He told me he was going to be legendary tonight,” War Eagles head coach Adam Holmes said of Adams, a South Carolina Mr. Football finalist who had 2,448 rushing yards and 34 touchdowns going into the game. “... Hey, he’s Mr. Football. He better be.”

Qurarterback Tre Robinson had 131 yards on seven carries, including a 62-yard touchdown run in the second quarter.

Gray Collegiate (12-1) moves on to play host to Newberry in the Upper State finals, with the winner advancing to the state championship. Newberry bested Christ Church 26-24 Friday.

Adams, Robinson and Gray Collegiate worked all night to decrease the drama in a big-time matchup between the No. 1 and No. 2 teams in Class 2A. Abbeville, going for its sixth state championship in eight years, instead finishes the season 12-1.

While Adams was powering the offense, the Gray defense pestered the Panthers, who got 231 rushing yards on the ground but fumbled the ball five times, losing two possessions in the red zone.

“Our defense is what’s gotten us here,” Holmes said. “Our front seven has been outstanding this year. They’ve had five shutouts. That’s been the biggest difference in us making a jump.”

Gray Collegiate took control early in the first half and never let go.

From the opening kickoff, the War Eagles knocked out a 14-play, 69-yard scoring drive pumped up with Adams runs, including his 2-yard touchdown run at the 5:31 mark of the first quarter.

Abbeville responded with a 59-yard scoring drive capped with Antonio Harrison’s 10-yard run with a minute to go in the first. Abbeville missed the extra point and Gray went into the second quarter holding a 7-6 lead.

The War Eagles kept the pressure on, using one long drive that Adams capped with a 9-yard TD run midway through the second. Gray recovered an Abbeville fumble on the next possession, which set up Robinson’s thundering, tackle-breaking 62-yard touchdown run to take a 21-6 lead with 1:38 to go in the half.

Abbeville managed a late score on Rayford’s 4-yard TD run just before halftime.

The Panthers got a 45-yard field goal from Addison Nickles to start the second half, but Adams’ final score, a 30-yard TD run, gave Gray Collegiate a 28-15 lead late in the third quarter.

War Eagles kicker Bradley Wicker hit a 38-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter.

The Gray Collegiate defense stuffed Abbeville’s comeback attempts in the final minutes, including Adams’ interception at the Panthers’ seven-yard line. A few plays later, he made his longest rush of the night, a 69-yarder that enabled Gray to keep possession and run out the clock.

“I knew they were going to be counting on me,” Adams said. “I knew that they were gonna come at me most of the time just because I play both sides of the ball. I really don’t care. I just came in this game with a different mindset, and a little extra motivation that’s all.”

HOW THEY SCORED

First Quarter

G - KZ Adams 2 run (Kussro kick) 5:31

A - Antonio Harrison 10 run (kick failed) 1:06

Second Quarter

G - Adams 9 run (Kussro kick) 6:46

G - Tre Robinson 62 run (Kussro kick) 1:38

A - Zay Rayford 4 run (pass failed) :22

Third Quarter

A - Addison Nickles 45 field goal 8:21

G - Adams 30 run (Kussro kick) 4:41

Fourth Quarter

G - Kussro 38 field goal 9:05

PLAYER STATS

RUSHING: A - Zay Rayford 14-64, J’Marion Burton 7-44, Antonio Harrison 7-43, Jamal Marshall 9-70, Altavious Patterson 1-10. GC - KZ Adams 40-312, Tre Robinson 8-115, Devin Johnson 1-20, Riley Staton 2-(-6)..

PASSING: A - Zay Rayford 3-6-1. GC - Tre Robinson 2-3-0, Riley Staton 0-1-0

RECEIVING: A - Jay Hill 1-36, Antonio Harison 2-35. GC - Devin Johnson 2-40.

This story was originally published November 19, 2021 at 11:18 PM.