Week 3 Preview: Grant (0-2) @ Madison (0-2)

  When: Friday, September 18th 7:30 P.M.

Where: Madison High School

Game Coverage: 

Grant Football Twitter

OregonLive Updates

PIL play is finally here. For the Grant Generals that means the chance to prove that they are a legitimate contender within their league. First up on the slate is a trip to 82nd Avenue to take on the recharged Madison Senators. While the program was in shambles when coach Don Johnson was hired this offseason, a newfound confidence has the kids at Madison believing they can compete with the top teams in the PIL week in and week out.

Coming off of the humbling experience of playing Sherwood last week it will be a challenge to refocus for a pivital league game, but one that this group can meet. Head Coach Randy Heath has Grant ready for the battle it will be to defend their league championship, and the first hurdle will be Don Johnson’s Senators this week.

Johnson, often criticized for his brash style and over the top on-field demeanor, has some talented skill position players capable of changing the game at any point. Couple that with an aggressive playing style and it starts to become clear that this team will be battling for playoff contention come season’s end.

The Senators are looking to bounce back after a disappointing preseason that included last week’s loss to Hood River Valley. With Isaia Mullen on the outside and threats such as Daniel Green and Wyryor Noil in the backfield, this team has the ability to hurt you if your eyes aren’t disciplined from play one. Having said that, let’s take a look at this week’s keys to the game.

Focus on the present: Last week is last week. There’s nothing to be said beyond that. Having Madison in the crosshairs should be the only thing on Grant’s mind this week. That’s who’s in the way of what the Generals want, so that’s where their attention should be.

Force turnovers: As we saw at the PIL jamboree, the Senators are very susceptible to turnovers. Gang tackling and making plays on balls in the air will be crucial to winning this week as much of the Madison offense is based on finding one-on-one matchups allowing their athletes to make plays in space. 

Play together: Things are going to enevitably get chippy as there’s a certain disdain between these two programs. Being able to play together will be important when tensions start to flare.

That’s all for tonight everyone. Be sure to be at Madison this week as it is shaping up to be possibly the game of the year in the PIL. We’ll be back tomorrow with more coverage leading up to Friday’s showdown.

Go Generals!

Week 1 Preview: Grant (0-0) vs. Lakeridge (0-0)

  

When: Friday, September 4th 7:30 P.M.

Where: Lincoln High School

Game Coverage: 

Grant Football Twitter

Grant Football Periscope 

OregonLive Updates

It’s finally game week. For players it means the chance to have all their offseason preparation translate into an on-field product.  For coaches, it provides the chance to see just how much work needs to be done to get their teams playing playoff caliber football. For fans, it means having the chance to see their favorite team in action for the first time this year.

The Grant High football team is no exception to this as they get ready to take on the Lakeridge Pacers. As a result of the absence of lights at Grant Park and the city putting a limit on the number of fall sporting events Grant could host at the bowl, the Generals will be playing a home game at Lincoln High School this Friday night. I’ll go into more detail on why it’s a travesty that the Generals can’t play night games at their home field later this week, but for now let’s focus on this week’s opponent.

Lakeridge is coming into the year off of a second round playoff exit last season at the hands of Sherwood. The graduation of current Syracuse quarterback Eric Dungey and the loss of Massen Newton won’t leave the Pacers helpless this season, but they will have a lot to prove in the tough Three Rivers League. First year coach Elvis Akpla is confident that senior Keaton Wood can adequately replace Dungey, praising the dual-threat’s playmaking ability during fall camp.

For Grant, this opening game will reveal a lot about this year’s team. Being able to compete with a team with a successful track record over the past few season’s will be huge for the relatively young Generals. Randy Heath heads into his first game as a head coach in 15 years, but has long been considered one of the best and most aggressive defensive minds in the state and we can expect nothing less when Friday rolls around. 

One of the more intriguing questions the Generals will have to answer this season is how will Grant Ewell Jr. replace Michael Waters’ offensive production?  Ewell came up at the end of last season to practice with the varsity and showed an impressive skill set on both sides of the ball. Look for this dynamic sophomore to be a key component for the Generals this year.

A couple final notes before we get to the keys to this week’s game.  First, our game has been nominated for the KGW Game of the Week. You can continue to vote through Wednesday at 1 P.M. and KGW will announce the winner during the 11 o’clock news Wednesday night. There’s no limit on the number of times you can vote, so help to get our Generals on the map to start out this season! 

Second, were excited to announce we will be bringing you live coverage of games this season via the application: Periscope. With this app we can livestream games, practices, and interviews with coaches and players. Download the app and follow @grant_fb to watch live coverage of your Generals.  Can’t be there to watch the coverage live? We’ve got you covered, as broadcasts from Periscope are available to watch for 24 hours from the time they are initially streamed.

With that being said, let’s take a look at this week’s keys to the game.

Limit big plays: Last season, the Generals had trouble limiting the amount of explosive plays for opposing teams, especially in key situations.  If Grant wants to make a deep run this season it starts with setting a tone this Friday night that teams won’t be able to have big plays that can change the outcome of the game.

Dominate the line of scrimmage: One thing all elite teams in Oregon have in common is that they own the point of attack. Having a talented defensive backfield means nothing if the front seven aren’t wreaking havoc for the opponent.  

Play fast: Bringing in Dom Ferraro from Westview was a great decision on the part of Heath, as the Ricky Bobby offense puts pressure on the defense on every play.  However, if the players don’t play fast it will allow Lakeridge to get comfortable with the tempo of the game which would limit the number of explosive plays the Generals could make.

Communicate: It doesn’t matter if you have the best players in the state, if they don’t communicate effectively on the field then they will get beat. On both sides of the ball the Generals have to communicate and have all eleven players on the same page. 

Enjoy the moment:  You’re only guaranteed nine chances to strap it up on a Friday night. Taking advantage of the opportunity to make a statement to the rest of the state is vital for the Generals this week, but that can’t take away from the fact this game is meant to be fun.  

That’s all for today everyone. Be sure to check back in throughout the week for updates on everything to do with Grant football.

Go Generals!

Top 5 PIL Non-league Games

With last night’s jamboree marking the opening of the 2015 season, there’s a number of questions waiting to be answered. Will Madison be the real deal and compete under Don Johnson or will it amount to nothing more than a transfer factory on 82nd? Does Grant have enough talent and discipline to defend their PIL title with Randy Heath taking over as head coach? Can Lincoln remain competitive without the core of their skill positions from last year’s team? Finally, will the PIL compete in out of conference games after a lone victory in 2014?

All of these questions will begin to be answered once non-league games begin next week.  This season there are several games to keep an eye on if you want to measure the PIL agaisnt the rest of the state. We’ve pinned our 5 most intriguing non league match-ups featuring the PIL. The rankings are from 1-5 in order of what we think will be the most interesting.

1. Grant at Sherwood

Grant hopes to put the PIL back on the map in 2015.

 
When: Friday, September 11th 7:00 P.M.

Where: Sherwood High School

After performing at an impressive level in last year’s jamboree against lower-tier opponents Jefferson and Franklin the Generals proceeded to give up 110 points over the first two weeks of the season, with 61 coming curtesy of the Bowman. This season’s test won’t be any easier as the young defense will have to be incredibly disciplined to compete against the well-oiled offense of head coach Greg Lawrence. After advancing to the quarterfinals last year, Sherwood is easily the toughest non-league opponent of any PIL team this season. 

2. Lincoln vs. Southridge 

Coach Wes Warren will keep the Cardinals competitive.

 

When: Friday, September 11th 7:30 P.M.

Where: Lincoln High School

There might not be a better measuring stick in the state than playing against a metro league team. Over the past 15 years this league has dominated most sports, football in particular. When Southridge visits Lincoln in week 2 of the season we will get to see exactly how well the PIL stacks up against the state’s best. Look for a competitive game between these two programs as Lincoln reloads after graduating a key group of Seniors on offense. 

3. Madison at South Eugene 

Grant transfer Daniel Green is Madison’s unquestioned leader.

 

When: Friday, September 4th 7:00 P.M.

Where: South Eugen High School

Don Johnson has a lot to prove stepping into the highest division of football in Oregon. While he is aided by several talented transfers new to Madison this year it’s hard to ignore his lack of on field success. His ability to get already college-ready players noticed through social media is noted, but a 13-15 overall record and only 2 league victories while at Evergreen doesn’t provide much hope for this Madison team. After last night’s showing at the jamboree it’s pretty easy to see the Senators picked up the best hype man since Don King this offseason, but they’re still missing a true head coach. However, if they can pick up an early season win in Eugene this year’s team could get on a role and compete for a playoff spot come season’s end.

4. Wilson vs. Silverton  

Ken Duilio looks for his first PIL crown in 2015.

When: Friday, September 4th 7:30 P.M.

Where: Wilson High School

Wilson holds a distinct advantage over the rest of the PIL returning the majority of their offensive starters.  After making the playoffs with a second place finish in league, the Trojans lost to North Medford in the first round of the OSAA playoffs. Look for a highly entertaining game when the high-powered Silverton comes to Portland next Friday.

5. Roosevelt vs. Clackamas 

Graduating a large senior class will test Roosevelt this season.

 
When: Friday, September 11th 7:30 P.M.
Where: Jefferson High School

Graduating a number of seniors from last year’s team leaves Roosevelt fighting an uphill battle. We will get to see how well the Roughriders have reloaded when they take on Clackamas in week 2.  Facing a talented opponent, Roosevelt needs to win this game if the PIL wants to be viewed around the state with some respect.

That’s all for today. Remember to follow us on Twitter (@grant_fb) to stay up to date on all of the latest news on the team. As always: go Generals!  

Meet a General: Malique Griffin

You know that first time you go to a high school dance? After you get all dressed up and take pictures, you realize you’re still at a party in a gym and feel completely underwhelmed. The football equivalent of that is a jamboree. Everyone gets to put on the gear and technically step on the field against an opponent, but the intensity won’t be nearly the level we will see when the regular season begins next week. The PIL will host their jamboree at Marshall High School tomorrow (Friday) evening with your Grant Generals scheduled to scrimmage Clevand and Jefferson when things kick off at 5:00 P.M. 

With school starting today, Head Coach Randy Heath and the Generals will be able to get into a more regular routine allowing the focus to be completely on the product Grant puts on the field.  There’s a definite buzz among Northeast Portland heading into Heath’s first season at the helm as the aggressive style he shares with offensive coordinator Dominic Ferraro will lead to a fast break brand of football. One member of the age reals expected to contribute heavily on both sides of the ball is Malique Griffin. We caught up with the senior linebacker/receiver before school got underway to get to know him beyond what we see on the field every Friday.

 

Malique Griffin will look to lead the Generals in 2015.

 
Who: Malique Griffin #34

Position: Linebacker/Receiver

Year: Senior

Favorite place to eat: Stanich’s

Favorite musician: Kendrick Lamar

Favorite book: A Part Time Indian

Reason you started playing football: I took a natural interest to the game and I have a lot of football players and fans in my family.

Favorite memory of last season:  The energy in the locker room after we beat Lincoln.

Favorite TV show: Tom & Jerry

Favorite movie: Either Rush Hour (any of them) or Ride Along

Class you look forward to most: Government

iPhone or Android: Android

Social media of choice: Instagram

Xbox, PS3, or Wii: PS3

Post-graduation aspirations: I’d like to become a photographer or chef.

Favorite Coach Heath quote: “No it’s la-a”

In addition to talking with Griffin, senior contributor to Grant Magazine Sawyer Montgomery released his video coverage of the Generals this morning. Check out the footage to see how the first week of padded practice has gone as well as both the coaches’ and administration’s expectations for the program moving forward.

That’s all for today folks. Make sure to follow us on Twitter (@grant_fb) to stay up to date on everything to do with Generals football. To get even more behind the scenes coverage, download the Periscope app and follow @grant_fb to view live practices, game coverage, and interviews of players and coaches.

Go Generals!

Meet a General: Head Coach Randy Heath

It’s almost here Grant Nation.  Football season is in full swing with teams across the state beginning their fall camps this week.  Your Grant Generals just wrapped up their first week of practice and are looking ready to go under new head coach Randy Heath. 

The countdown to kickoff stands at 13 days, leaving little time before we find out how this relatively young term performs under the bright lights. Next week’s PIL jamboree will be a preview before the Generals take on Lakeridge on September 4th. This year’s Grant team hopes to build on the success of last year’s league championship squad, but will be tested early and often in 2015.  Today we got to sit down with Coach Heath and find out more than what we see on the sideline and in the halls of Grant High School.

Who: Head Coach Randy Heath

Years coaching: 27

Favorite place to eat: Ringside

Favorite musician: Garth Brooks

Favorite book: The River of Doubt

Why coaching?: I wasn’t good enough to play anymore.

Favorite memory of last season: beating Roosevelt for the PIL title

Favorite TV show: Entourage

Favorite movie: Animal House

iPhone or Android: iPhone

If you weren’t coaching you would be: traveling with my wife and fly fishing

Athletic brand of choice: Nike

Gaming system of choice: Atari 

That’s all for today General fans. Be sure to check back for extended coverage of Grant High football, and as always: go Generals!

2015 Grant Generals Preview

We’re back Grant Nation. It’s the beginning of a new season in Northeast Portland, and as the calendar hits mid-August the talk surrounding Oregon High School football begins to ramp up. Waiting for the first game can become an arduous process, which is where we step in. We’ll be here to give an inside look at the General’s preseason camp leading up to their opening game against Lakeridge on September 4th.  

Over the summer there’s been some transition within the Grant program as new head coach Randy Heath takes over after Diallo Lewis stepped down following a successful decade-long run. That along with the graduation of several key players from last year’s team will provide for an uphill battle for the boys on 33rd. If the Generals can announce their presence among the state’s upper-tier of teams with a strong non-league performance, it will set them up well for a successful season and possible deep playoff run in the world of power rankings and strength of schedule that we live in.  With that, let’s take a look at this year’s version of the Generals on both sides of the ball.

Offense:

System: Spread

Returning starters: 2

2014 points/game: 28.1

Graduating several seniors including five all-league performers means this year’s offense will future numerous new faces and the challenge of learning a new offense under coordinator Dom Ferraro. 

Leading the Generals at quarterback will be a two horse race between Sophomore Demarcus Singleton and Senior Luke Davis, the younger brother of last year’s signal caller Sam Davis. At running back, junior Grant Ewell will look to step in for 2014 PIL offensive player of the year Mike Waters. The strength of the offense lays in the trenches, with returning starters Rees Rosene and first-team PIL tackle Juwan Curtis anchoring an offensive line that will need to prove itself early and often in the 2015 season.

Defense:

System: 3-3-5/multiple

Returning starters: 1

2014 points/game allowed: 20.5

The General’s defense proved to be a staple of the team’s strength after overcoming a pair of dismal early performances in 2014.  The lone returning starter is Davis at safety, where he was first team all-league last season.  Both Curtis and Rosene will be joining Davis on the defensive side of the ball, and will look to get additional help from the likes of seniors Malik Griffin and Lucious Hicks at linebacker, as well as juniors Dee Wallace and Marquis Isom on the back end of the defense. 

2015 looks to be a promising one for the Generals, but only if the team continues to mature on the field.  That’s all for today General’s Army, be sure to stay tuned for more coverage throughout fall camp.

Go Generals!

Grant tabs Randy Heath as new General

Grant High has selected Randy Heath as the school’s new head football coach following the recent resignation of Diallo Lewis. Heath- Grant’s defensive coordinator last season- is a product of Medford, Oregon and played college football for legendary coach Ad Rutschman, winning two national titles as a stand out defensive back at Linfield College. Prior to Grant, Heath was a defensive coordinator at Jesuit High School where he won two state championships and made eight semifinals appearances in nine years. As his first hire Heath has selected Dom Ferraro- a former Westview assistant- to be his offensive coordinator. Ferraro lead a Westview offense that averaged 52 points per game last season, which ended in a memorable 79-67 loss to Lakeridge in the first round of the playoffs.

Following a league championship season in 2014, expectations for the Generals will be high as Heath looks to build upon the success that Diallo Lewis established during his decade at the helm of Grant’s program. Heath officially began his era for the Generals on Monday as the team opened their summer workouts. We will continue to update you with information on the team and any new coaches hired as the summer continues.

Go Generals!