The recent loss against Sheldon in the quarterfinals of the state playoffs was undoubtedly a disappointment for Grant’s varsity football team. Regardless, the team finished the season 9-3 and earned the unwavering support of the school and fans.
There were two packed home games in the Grant Bowl and when the Generals stomped Lincoln near the end of the season, no one will ever forget the sight of all those black “Win the Day” T-shirts.
Head coach Diallo Lewis describes the season as one in which the team “overcame many obstacles,” showing resiliency and the ability to “rise to the challenge each week.” The team started off the season with a come-from-behind victory against Westview. Seniors Jamarr Graves and Daniel Halverson said the Westview game was one of the highlights of the season because it set the tone of high expectations.
Grant continued to dominate by beating the Aloha Warriors – a team led by star running back Thomas Tyner – 51-27 in the Grant Bowl. Tyner, a four-star football recruit, managed only 27 yards rushing.
The team rolled over Beaverton in another home game at the bowl and then the Generals traveled across the border to play Washington’s Heritage High School. In the words of Grant defensive standout Michael Keil: Grant “shut down Heritage. They got the donut up on the screen.” Grant 45, Heritage 0.
After a close loss to highly ranked West Linn (21-19), Grant won five in a row, including victories against rivals Lincoln and Jefferson. Grant entered the playoffs facing Grants Pass and beat the southern Oregon team 40-32 in the first round. In the second round, Grant squared off against Canby.
“Everybody was doubting us. Even people on our team were skeptical,” said senior Ben Criswell, one of the team’s captains.
Grant won easily, 41-14, setting up the quarterfinal showdown with state powerhouse Sheldon. It was a tough game and Grant couldn’t get up enough energy early on. Sheldon rolled to a 49-7 win and Grant was out. “We didn’t go out like we wanted to but overall we had a good season,” Graves said.
The season was marred by injuries. “I think we experienced the largest number of injuries this season than in the last nine years combined,” said Lewis.
Team captain Daniel Halverson had a total of 26 receptions for 527 yards on the season. Senior Paris Penn completed 100 out of 177 passes for a total of 1,777 passing yards.
Other key contributors include: Graves and fellow receiver Jack Fitzpatrick-Blackmun; defensive players Keil and Dominique Gonzalez; and juniors Nathan Halverson (receiver and defensive back), Bryant Peek Jr. (running back) and Cordell Harris (receiver and safety).
“We got a lot from our senior class. They really showed leadership and brought the team together,” said assistant coach Chris Frazier.
Penn, Halverson and Graves all have committed to play at Portland State University next year.
Senior captain Ben Criswell said the players worked hard this year even though the bid for a state championship came up short. “A lot of players are taking the bus an hour or two home every day and they’ve got a pretty rough family life waiting for them back home,” he said. “To go through all that and also come out and compete on the football field…they get some respect for that.”
