Grand Blanc vs Rochester Adams semifinal preview
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This Saturday we have an absolutely extraordinary matchup with two teams on historic runs. Both programs are undefeated at 12-0 in the most competitive division, and both teams just beat the favorites to win the state championship. In addition, these…
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Continue ReadingThis Saturday we have an absolutely extraordinary matchup with two teams on historic runs. Both programs are undefeated at 12-0 in the most competitive division, and both teams just beat the favorites to win the state championship. In addition, these are two very unlikely runs. Adams went 3-5 last season and hasn’t advanced this far since 2007, while Grand Blanc showed flashes of greatness in 2020 going 7-2, but this is Grand Blanc’s first semifinal appearance in their over 100-year history. Now, let’s dive into each team, then preview Saturday’s matchup at Howell High School.
Grand Blanc
“History” has emerged as the theme of Grand Blanc’s season. They’re the first team in school history to go 11-0 and 12-0, first team in history to with the district final, and the first to win the regional final. They began the season with 3 down to the wire wins against East Lansing, Forest Hills Central, and Dow, then went on to stomp Davison, a team that eliminated them from the playoffs last season. Through those tough opening games and throughout the season, guys have stepped up and risen to the occasion unlike any in Grand Blanc History. It’s been an extraordinary season, but are they satisfied? NO!!!
Here are a few players that have led this Grand Blanc team
QB Hunter Ames Hunter Ames 6'2" | 165 lbs | QB Grand Blanc | 2022 MI
Ames has balled out all season and he’s been a catalyst for the Bobcats success. Watching him against Forest Hills Central, he came up insanely clutch time and time again and made the last-ditch throw that won them that game. Then on Saturday against Rockford, Ames was incredible throwing for 265 yards and 2 touchdowns and came up big in the 4th quarter delivering a pinpoint strike to Nasir Carson which turned the momentum of this game.
@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
RB Elijah Jackson-Anderson Elijah Jackson-Anderson 5'9" | 180 lbs | RB Grand Blanc | 2022 State MI
The Eastern Michigan commit and Mr. Football candidate has been a beast all season. The balance, power, athleticism, and speed of this guy has all the makings of a great college back. It’s going to be exciting to see him and the offensive line compete this coming week and possibly at Ford Field against some amazing rush defenses.
MLB Cross Dobbs Cross Dobbs 6'3" | 205 lbs | LB Grand Blanc | 2022 MI
The GVSU commit has established himself as the leader of this Grand Blanc defense. Dobbs is a guy that can do really anything that would be asked of a linebacker. Stopping the run, covering the pass, or pass-rushing, Dobbs has demonstrated that he can do it all and he’ll be playing on a top-5 DII program at Grand Valley State.
Rochester Adams
“Resilience” has been the official team theme throughout the season. After being down 13-0 to defending champion West Bloomfield, Adams came storming back and won 14-13. On the surface, Adams is just an average D1 team. Rochester isn’t known for producing major power-5 talent, they run an offense many find boring with the Veer, and nobody on this team is going to a power-5 school to play football. What this team is though is tough, connected, and resilient. They play the veer offense to perfection and run an insanely suffocating defense, holding the top running back in the state to just 37 second-half yards last week. They’re connected, well-coached, and incredibly confident, just like Grand Blanc. Now, let’s take a look at some athletes that have been key to this semifinal run.
QB/LB Parker Picot
This guy has been so incredible that he’s on many top-5 lists for Michigan player of the year. Committed to Alabama to play baseball, Picot is absolutely thriving in a sport that’s not even his first choice. His decision-making as a veer quarterback is second to none, and the ferocity in which he runs the ball is unmatched. In addition, his passing accuracy and throw power is quite uncommon for a veer quarterback, and he’s surely got lots of arm talent that is utilized well. On the defensive end, he’s incredible at making reads, filling gaps, finishing tackles, and generally doing his job well.
DE Alex DeGrieck Alex DeGrieck 6'5" | 235 lbs | DL Rochester Adams | 2022 State MI
Degrieck is big, powerful, fast, and surely the smartest guy on the football field each week. The Harvard commit came up with a game-defining sack against West Bloomfield last week, and he demonstrates a great mix of power, finesse, speed, and football IQ when he plays. Going up against another great running game with a quarterback who’s been on fire, Degrieck is going to play a key role in the Adams defense.
SB/WR/DB/KR Joey Shallow
If Picot is thunder, Shallow is lightning. The swiss army knife plays a very key role in both the Adams offense and the secondary. His elusiveness and speed are critical to this offense as he’s used as a great veer option, a slot receiver, or even a lead blocker. He’s able to see the field incredibly well, run great routes, return kicks, and cover some of the best receiver talents in the state. He’s a piece that I can see confusing the Grand Blanc defense.
Closing thoughts
When it’s all said and done, one team’s historic run will continue while the other will have come just short of a state championship, but still will have made plenty of history. Both of these programs are in uncharted territory being in the semifinals, though both have very strong communities behind them. I won’t even attempt to predict the outcome of this game, but I have a feeling it’s going to come down to the bitter end.