Nine for the Record Book: Jack Grace '29 Makes LHSAA History

With 3:15 left on Thursday, September 10, at The Willow School, Jack Grace ’29 dropped back and found Colin Snyder ’27 for a 29-yard score. It was Grace's ninth touchdown pass of the night, a new Louisiana High School Athletic Association record, and it capped a 70–35 Cajuns win.

Grace didn't know it yet. Offensive lineman Jax McMahon ran up shouting that he'd broken the record, and it took the sophomore a moment to catch on.

The previous mark of eight was shared by two quarterbacks: Evangel Christian's Dez Duron, who set it against Springhill in 2008, and Peyton Houston, who matched it against Captain Shreve two years ago before committing to LSU. Now a Country Day sophomore holds it alone, with two more seasons still to play.

The rest of the stat line holds up, too. Grace went 37 of 46 for 576 yards, a Country Day single-game record. He threw four touchdowns in the first quarter, each to a different receiver, for a 28–7 lead. By halftime he was 24 of 29 for 386 yards and six scores, and the Cajuns led 49–21.

A Team Effort

Nine touchdowns went to five different receivers. Kellen Brewer ’27, who has committed to play basketball at UC Santa Barbara, caught eight passes for 129 yards and four touchdowns. Alex Moore ’27 added eight catches for 141 yards, and Curtis McAllister ’28 had eight for 116 yards and two scores. Colin Snyder finished with five catches for 90 yards, including the one that made history. Paul Mickens '27 and Preston Snyder '28 each caught a touchdown pass, and running back Justin Drago ’27 had five receptions for 71 yards plus the Cajuns' only rushing score, a 25-yard run. On defense, safety Christopher Kazour ’27 picked off three passes, and a veteran offensive line kept Grace clean all night. Head Coach Ben Powell credited Grace's preparation and decision-making, noting that the ball found every position on the offense.

How He Got Here

A year ago, Grace was a freshman quarterback at Jesuit, splitting time between the freshman and JV teams, before transferring to Country Day midyear. He stepped into big shoes: Hudson Wright ’26 graduated after throwing for 3,334 yards and a school-record 48 touchdowns.

Grace won the job over the summer in Country Day's Air Raid offense. With so many Cajuns also playing basketball and baseball, the football program makes the most of summer 7-on-7 competition, including tournaments at LSU and St. Thomas More. Grace says those weekends built his chemistry with his receivers and the confidence he brought into fall camp. He has played quarterback since fourth grade and grew up admiring Saints Hall of Famer Drew Brees.

His debut was a learning experience. In a 43–34 season-opening loss to South Terrebonne, he threw for 300 yards and two touchdowns, along with three interceptions. The team took it in stride. "We had a great week of practice," Grace said. "We came out firing."

The Spotlight

Since that night, Grace has been featured by WGNO's Friday Night Football, FOX 8, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune, GeauxPreps, On3 and USA TODAY High School Sports. His honors so far:

• Greater New Orleans Quarterback Club Metro Prep Player of the Week, presented with CrescentCitySports.com, 106.7 The Ticket and Friday Night Football. He will be recognized at the club's year-end meeting on December 15 at The Cannery.
• GeauxPreps Week 2 Offensive Player of the Week
• Allstate Sugar Bowl Manning Futures, Week 2 selection

He's handling the attention with the same composure he shows in the pocket. "Everybody's been texting and calling me and congratulating me," Grace told GeauxPreps. "This has been truly a blessing."

Just Getting Started

Through two games, Grace is 52 of 77 for 876 yards and 11 touchdowns. At that pace, he would pass John White's school single-season record of 3,463 yards, set in 1984. His coaches are aiming higher still: they told NOLA.com their target is 10,000 yards.

Congratulations to Jack, Head Coach Ben Powell, Offensive Coordinator Ross Woods and the entire Cajuns football program on a historic night. Proud to be a Cajun. Go Cajuns!