Article Photos

Advertisement

HARRIS - A freshman will hold a key position Friday in a Division 8 district championship football game. But don't expect Austin Grinsteiner to wilt under the fire.

Grinsteiner will make his second start for Stephenson when the Eagles (6-3) visit Bark River-Harris (9-1) at 7 p.m. He replaced senior Nick Thoune, who sustained a knee injury in week nine during a victory at North Central.

He hit 8-of-13 passes for 161 yards and a touchdown and ran for two scores in the 36-28 victory in Powers. Last week, in a 24-0 conquest of Stephenson, he hit 6-of-9 passes for 139 yards. Both games were played in rain and wind.

Stephenson coach Chad Brandt said the Eagles spend most practice sessions working varsity and junior varsity teams together, helping Grinsteiner make a seamless transition.

"We knew he had special ability," said Brandt, a Gladstone native in his 13th year at the helm. "He keeps his poise and the game is not too big for him."

BR-H coach Joe Derouin said Grinsteiner "is the real deal. Watching him you wouldn't know he is a freshman. Coach Brandt is not putting him in situations where he has to win the football game. He is managing the game."

Grinsteiner is the third brother to play for Brandt. Travis was an all-state defensive end and Brandon was an All-U.P. quarterback for the Eagles.

Asked what has been most surprising about the youngster's play, Brandt said "I don't think anything has been surprising. We were looking at going into the playoffs of using him even if Nick was healthy.

"He is a passing quarterback but is also a great athlete. I could see him starting in varsity basketball this year," Brandt said. "He has a gift of throwing the ball as well as anyone I've had. If the play is a run, he will run the ball. He is not one-dimensional."

The Eagles, who have won five-of-six games, had planned to use more spread offense this year. Instead, Brandt said "we may come out of the (shot) gun, under center, in the I or wing-T. He's able to do all of that. We put it in from day one and he runs the same things."

Thoune was initially diagnosed with a season-ending injury but now Brandt said doctors don't believe it is as serious and he could play defensive end as early as next week if the Eagles advance to the regional final.

Jake Herres is a prime passing target - he had an 88-yard TD catch last week - while Mike Swille and Joe Smotucha are key runners in a four-back attack. On defense, Cubby Johnson was an All-U.P. Class A-B-C selection and linebacker Tyler Pape earned special mention.

"We preach team defense," said Brandt. At Cedarville, he said "they were just really locked in. They weren't going to budge. They really swarmed to the ball and did their assignments."

BR-H coach Joe Derouin said the Eagle defense "likes to contain and make sure the quarterbck don't get outside. Their ends will come down hard. For us to be in this game, we've just got to execute."