Top recruit Travis Hunter has big day in final game for No. 7 Collins Hill, but Graham-Kapowsin spoils his GEICO bowl victory bid
LAS VEGAS - The nation's No. 1 recruit did not disappoint in his high-school football finale Saturday.
Five-star wide receiver Travis Hunter, who shocked the recruiting world by de-commiting from longtime choice Florida State to sign with Deion Sanders at Jackson State, is a springy, twitchy, beat-you-at-all-costs competitor.
And Hunter did his part leading seventh-ranked Collins Hill of Georgia in the GEICO State Champions Bowl Series showdown with Graham-Kapowsin (Wash.) - also a first-time state champion.
GAME STORY | PHOTO GALLERY|JOSH WOOD'S ARRIVAL
Hunter reeled in a grab-out-of-the-clouds 49-yard touchdown against good coverage in the first half. And the final offering of his 10-catch, 178-yard afternoon was his 28-yard scoring catch-dance-and-strut-to-the-end-zone play that gave his team a final lead with 28 seconds remaining.
"Yes, it was (a good way to go out)," Collins Hill coach Lenny Gregory said.
But Graham-Kapowsin scored the game-winning touchdown on Joshua Wood's 32-yard touchdown strike to Stephen Mars with one second remaining, giving the Class 4A state champions from Washington a 40-36 victory at Bishop Gorman High School.
Hunter deserved the same ending, and to go out an undefeated champion from Georgia. He thoroughly impressed Graham-Kapowsin defenders with his next-level moves.
"Travis Hunter, a good dawg, great guy and a great competitor," said Mars, who is also a cornerback. "He puts it all out there every time he plays
"I've been watching him for a while. To get to play against him was a great opportunity. The guy is that good. I have a lot of respect for him."
Hunter's final catch was the touchdown that gave Collins Hill at 36-33 lead. But the ensuring kickoff was mishit, and Graham-Kapowsin started from its own 37-yard line.
"We gave them some field position, but I felt like our defense could hold," Gregory said.
But Wood ripped off four consecutive completions, including the game-winner to Mars in the back of the end zone.
Graham-Kapowsin outgained the Class 7A champions from Georgia, 472-391. Besides Hunter's big night, quarterback Sam Horn finished 21-of-34 for 245 yards and two touchdowns. Running back Spenser Anderson rushed 11 times for 73 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
"Personally, I felt like (Graham-Kapowsin) was a really good football team in what they did. They were good up front, and had the really good quarterback. And they are competitors," Gregory said.
"Whenever you play a team that is 14-0 - the same with them playing us - I think they knew we were good, and they were prepared. I am not so sure our kids felt ... the same way. Hats off to them for doing what they were supposed to do."
Listen to the episode here, leave a review on Apple Podcasts and subscribe wherever you get podcasts.
SBLive’s coverage from Las Vegas
Social media reacts:‘Washington represent!’ Graham-Kapowsin grabs nation’s attention with GEICO State Champions Bowl Series upset
(Featured photo by Jann Hendry)
