Patriots

ther Judge at Carey Stadium.

“My coaches just trust me to make big plays when we need big plays,” GriffenBachtler said. “I want to step up to the occasion, I can play any position and make big plays. I have a good o-line and our team has jelled together where I can move anywhere and be comfortable.”

Last week, Griffen-Bacthler ran the opening kickoff back for a touchdown against Bishop McDevitt and while he didn’t have a big special teams play against Judge, he was all over the field in other ways. On top of his six grabs for 139 yards, the junior carried the ball three times for 11 yards and played defensive back.

He would have scored a third touchdown if not for a holding call, but GA scored on that drive anyway. He’s sort of the perfect puzzle piece, one the offensive coaches can plug in anywhere and have it fit.

“Jerry is so much fun to coach,” GA coach Matt Dence said. “”If there was an Advanced Placement for football, he’s at the head of the class. He knows everything we’re doing, it’s important to him, he loves it, he eats football and he could play every skill position we have.”

With Trae Vance still sidelined by injury, the Patriots have asked more of Griffen-Bachtler and running back Lacey Snowden, with both responding in a big way.

Part of what makes Griffen-Bacthler so effective is that he isn’t afraid to take chances. He’ll fight for extra yards but also wants to be unpredictable, at one point in the first half Saturday trying to go for a hurdle over a Judge defender. It didn’t quite work out as planned, but it’s not going to stop the junior from looking for more opportunities to be a playmaker.

“That hurdle, it just gives me more options, I want to have different things to do to these defenders so they don’t know which way I’m going,” Griffen-Bachtler said. “If I’m going left or right it doesn’t matter, but that stuff makes it harder to guard me or even tackle me.”

Griffen-Bacthler credited his success to chemistry with quarterback Jordan Longino. They’ve been a duo since middle school and just have a good knack of knowing where the other is going to be looking.

“We are doing well,” Griffen-Bachtler said. “We just need to keep practicing hard, keep working and we’ll be fine.” TRENCH WARFARE >> GA’s offensive line lost a lot after last season, both in terms of talent and in a strong coach in Greg Isdaner but the Patriots haven’t seemed to miss a beat up front.

Steve Moll moved over from the defense to coach