Season Recap: Grand Blanc
In this article:
Quick Rundown After being on the up-and-up for a few years, Grand Blanc finally broke through advancing all the way to the State Semifinals where they fell to Rochester Adams. The Bobcats finished with the most single-season wins in program…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingQuick Rundown
After being on the up-and-up for a few years, Grand Blanc finally broke through advancing all the way to the State Semifinals where they fell to Rochester Adams. The Bobcats finished with the most single-season wins in program history with 13, and they earned their first district and regional titles ever. I would say this season was historic, but that may be an understatement.
Here’s how Grand Blanc’s season played out
40-34 W vs East Lansing
38-34 W vs Forest Hills Central
27-23 W vs Dow
43-7 W vs Davison
48-7 W vs Powers Catholic
35-6 W vs Carman-Ainsworth
41-7 W vs Heritage
30-6 W vs Lapeer
56-18 W vs Arthur Hill
25-6 W vs Holt (Pre-Districts)
21-8 W vs Howell (District Finals)
28-27 W vs Rockford (Regional Finals)
20-40 L vs Rochester Adams (Semifinals)
A Leap in the Right Direction
Grand Blanc was just a few plays away from starting the season 0-3. The first 3 games were insanely competitive as they faced off against 3 playoff teams, but that opening stretch proved to be a foundation for a triumphant season. Everything seemed to be in order. The coaching staff was connected and bought in, and this team had great leadership coming from its large senior class. As a matter of fact, Grand Blanc East Middle School teacher and successful YouTuber Dan Command had a feeling this class was going to be special. In a conversation we had about the Bobcats, Command stated “I have said it for years, this group of seniors is SPECIAL! The best moral kids happen to be the most athletic, which is so rare.” This just goes to show how unique this class of seniors is in terms of talent, leadership, and good-heartedness. Let’s take a look at 5 of the dozens of difference-making seniors Grand Blanc had this season.
RB Elijah Jackson-Anderson Elijah Jackson-Anderson 5'9" | 180 lbs | RB Grand Blanc | 2022 State MI
In total, I watched 3 Grand Blanc games, more than any team I watched this season. In every one of those games, Jackson-Anderson was electric. The soon-to-be Eastern Michigan Eagle showed a very unique set of skills as an elusive back that I did not see all season. Over the course of those 3 games, I saw Jackson-Anderson make incredible runs, break tackles, great catches, great runs after the catch, blocking, athleticism, and more.
Elijah Jackson-Anderson (@ihson_j ) had a great day for @GrandBlancFB as they fell short against @R_AdamsFootball . Jackson-Anderson scored 3TD’s (1 rushing 2 pass), totaling over 180 total yards of offense. pic.twitter.com/PVkLwWfZuK
— Alex Pallone (@alex_pallone) November 20, 2021
T Andy Hartman Andy Hartman 6'5" | 250 lbs | OL Grand Blanc | 2022 State MI
Hartman is a certified beast standing at 6’6, 260. Most championship-contending teams have themselves a dominant lineman, and that’s Andy Hartman Andy Hartman 6'5" | 250 lbs | OL Grand Blanc | 2022 State MI . In terms of his play, the footwork, hand placement, and aggressiveness were stellar, with his size obviously not doing him any disservices. Hartman was also a vocal leader oftentimes encouraging his teammates in clutch situations. All in all, Hartman is deservingly getting some attention from teams in the MAC and GLIAC, and I can’t wait to see what’s next for him.
MLB Cross Dobbs Cross Dobbs 6'3" | 205 lbs | LB Grand Blanc | 2022 MI
Man am I happy this guy is going to be a Grand Valley State Laker! Dobbs has been one of the best linebackers in the state throughout the season, and he was really impressive during the Rockford outing. The 6’2 205lb senior has elite awareness, reaction time, as well as aggressiveness, all vital qualities for a linebacker. Dobbs showed the ability to stop the run, rush the passer, defend the pass, all on top of showing excellent communication and leadership.
QB Hunter Ames Hunter Ames 6'2" | 165 lbs | QB Grand Blanc | 2022 MI
I watched Ames win 2 shootouts, one against Forest Hills Central, and the other against Rockford. Ames was Mr. Clutch all season as he threw the game-winning 70+ yard touchdown against Central, then led a few amazing late drives against Rockford before the defense sealed the win. No moment seemed too big for Ames, and he was surely one of the top-8 quarterbacks I watched all season, including the state championships.
Every workout we have conquered. Every hangout where we said we were gonna be state champs one day. We fell a little short but the bonds and the friendships that I have with these two men is like nothing else. BELLUM ROMANUM FOR LIFE❤️ @cross_dobbs @andy_hartman3 pic.twitter.com/MPVyfr9CAP
— Hunter Ames (@HunterAmes4) December 2, 2021
Hertzberg is a rare kicking talent that has shown out in the Kohl’s camps and has consistently kicked and punted extraordinarily well all season. Typically you wouldn’t think of a kicker as being one of the biggest difference makers and culture builders on the team, but Hertzberg made all the difference in the world. For one, every time I walked past him on the sidelines, he had a look in his eyes that just told me he was locked in. Nothing seemed to distract him whatsoever. Secondly, imagine the confidence that brings a coaching staff, and the entire team. When you know that you can consistently flip the field, or make a big 40+ yard kick if, given the situation, it makes a big difference in situational football. Hertzberg’s recruitment is 100% open as of December 5, and I think he’s a steal for whichever team picks him up.
Looking Ahead
Although there was an exceptionally large and talented senior class, there’s a ton of athletes coming up that have already made names for themselves. Guys like Dillon Thomas, Jaylen Johnson Jaylen Johnson 6'2" | 185 lbs | WR Grand Blanc | 2023 State MI , Carson Hoewe, and JT Webber are going to take the reigns of leadership heading into next where where it’s looking like another insanely difficult schedule for the Bobcats.