The second half comeback sparked by sophomore quarterback Jalyn Gramstad has earned him Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) Offensive Player of the Week honors.
Saturday was a day the sophomore would never forget. Five of the six drives he would lead in the second half would result in touchdowns, as the Red Raiders erupted for 34 unanswered points and shutout the Bulldogs in the second half.
In addition to sparking the comeback, the opening drive of the second half (three-play, 55-yard drive) would begin what would become a career day for the sophomore quarterback from Lester by way of the West Lyon program. Gramstad would go on to set career-highs in passing yards (179), rushing yards (177), and rushing touchdowns (4).
On the day, his longest rush would be for 71 yards (career-high). Two of his four rushing scores were from 20+ yards out (20- and 32-yard scores). He averaged 11.8 yards per carry on his 15 attempts, rushing for a team high 177 net yards.
In the fourth quarter, Gramstad would throw his first-career touchdown pass. He found Michael Storey (Sr., Spencer, Iowa) on the near side for a 35-yard strike. It capped a five play, 60-yard drive and, practically, put the nail in the coffin for the contest.
He became the first Red Raider to score 4+ rushing touchdowns since Theo Bartman had four scores on the ground against Morningside back in 2013.
Gramstad joins fellow teammate and quarterback Blake Fryar (Sr., Waukee, Iowa) as the second Raider to earn GPAC football weekly honors, as the Red Raiders earn back-to-back weekly accolades.
