Grand Blanc defeats Rockford in instant classic
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The #4 Grand Blanc Bobcats defeated the #1 Rockford Rams 28-27 in what was an instant classic. This marks Grand Blanc’s first-ever regional championship in the program’s over 100-year history, and I couldn’t be more proud of them. As for…
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Continue ReadingThe #4 Grand Blanc Bobcats defeated the #1 Rockford Rams 28-27 in what was an instant classic. This marks Grand Blanc’s first-ever regional championship in the program’s over 100-year history, and I couldn’t be more proud of them. As for Rockford, this loss stings as they failed to convert a fake XP with under a minute remaining. Now, let’s highlight some of the top performers on both teams.
Grand Blanc Standouts
QB Hunter Ames Hunter Ames 6'2" | 165 lbs | QB Grand Blanc | 2022 MI
Ames was poised, determined, and 110% ready for this matchup. I watched the senior quarterback back in week 2 make clutch plays, and he did the same in this one on a much bigger stage and in packed house. Ames easily thew for over 100 yards with 2 or more touchdowns. Although not as highly touted as other QB’s in the state, Ames threw tight, accurate passes, sometimes in very small windows to give his guys a shot.
WR Nasir Carson
This guy straight up balled out today, even earning postgame praise from head coach Clint Alexander. Carson demonstrated great route running, and clutch hands when his team needed it most. With a huge second-half touchdown plus a huge play to get Grand Blanc to the goalline, Carson made sure Grand Blanc made history today.
@HunterAmes4 to @ncarson227 is a dangerous connection, and this play truly turned the momentum to Grand Blanc pic.twitter.com/6q3ZjN6pKC
— Alex Pallone (@alex_pallone) November 13, 2021
MLB Cross Dobbs Cross Dobbs 6'3" | 205 lbs | LB Grand Blanc | 2022 MI
Man am I happy this kid is going to be a fellow Laker. Dobbs showed up and showed out today, causing the Rockford run game to be very stagnant. Dobbs also showed his pass-rushing abilities in multiple instances, and the video below shows a big sack in a big moment.
The GVSU commit Cross Dobbs was incredible on defense today pic.twitter.com/yY78S6QdB2
— Alex Pallone (@alex_pallone) November 13, 2021
Rockford Standouts
QB Zak Ahern Zak Ahern 6'2" | 175 lbs | QB Rockford | 2022 State MI
I am incredibly proud of Ahern for his performance today, and for an incredible senior campaign. The Ferris State commit performed insanely well and left it all out on the field. With the run game not doing much, Ahern was a gunslinger easily throwing for over 150 yards with at least 3 touchdowns to his name.
I’m incredibly proud of the way @AhernZak played today. He truly left it all out on the field. I dread the day the @FerrisFootball commit inevitably torches my GVSU Lakers pic.twitter.com/UhcKGAkACR
— Alex Pallone (@alex_pallone) November 13, 2021
WR Alex McLean Alex McLean 5'7" | 165 lbs | WR Rockford | 2023 State MI
McLean made a few crucial catches late in the game that kept Rockford in it. He was a speed-in-space type threat as well as a deep threat shown above. He was surely over 100-yards on the day and is set up to have an incredible senior season next year for the Rams.
Closing thoughts
This was the most thrilling High School football game I’ve watched this season. Both of these teams came in undefeated, and it’s a shame that someone had to lose this game. Both teams were incredibly clutch, and nobody backed town under immense pressure. I am incredibly excited for the Grand Blanc vs Rochester Adams semifinal matchup as it’s another battle of the unbeatens.