Local Sports Journal
GRANT – There were a few football shockers on the opening night of high school football, but perhaps none bigger than the upset at Grant.
The host Tigers stunned West Michigan Conference power Shelby 14-6 Thursday in Scott Keelean’s return as head coach. Keelean served a previous stint as head coach before resigning nine years ago to spend more time with his family.
Shelby was its own worst enemy with a slew of turnovers, mistakes and penalties.
“We played absolutely undisciplined football, “said Shelby coach Lorenzo Rodriguez, whose team had two passes intercepted. “We were in the red zone and put it on the carpet and gave it away three times. We pretty much gave the game away with our own mistakes.”
Shelby’s lone score came on a 17-yard run by Jake Baffi in the second quarter.
Grant recorded its go-head touchdown in the second quarter and added its insurance score in the fourth quarter. Garrett Bomey and Riley Patterson scored touchdowns for the Tigers, who were coming off a 1-8 record last season.
Shelby returns to action next week with a West Michigan Conference game at Whitehall.
“We have to regroup this week and start the WMC schedule,” said Rodriguez, whose team won at least a share of the WMC title the past three years and advanced to the Division 6 state semifinals the last two seasons.
