By Geoff Mott
Sports Scene
FLINT – Powers Catholic football coach Bob Buckel has finally seen his senior, Division 1-bound running back on the field for the first time in person, and the veteran coach likes what he sees.
After graduating six players to college football programs – including quarterback Garrett Pougnet, last year’s Associated Press Divison 5-6 Player of the Year – Buckel’s offense needed a shot in the arm. The Chargers will get that with transfer student Trent Grimes.
Grimes led Fenton to the playoffs the last two seasons, helping the program to an 18-5 record and a share of two Flint Metro League titles. The second team all-conference selection chose to transfer to Powers in January for his senior season, as Fenton lost several players to graduation.
“This last week is the first chance I’ve gotten to see him,” Buckel said. “I had only seen him on film and in the weight room. He’s a very polite kid and we like everything about him. He’ll play running back and safety.”
The 6-foot, 190-pounder was the first to verbally commit to Central Michigan University’s 2014 recruiting class. He runs the 40-yard dash in 4.4 seconds, and that speed is major contributor to his ability to play in Division 1.
“Anybody going Divison 1 is very fast,” Buckel said. “He gets to his top speed quickly and has a strong upper body. It’s his first year in the offense, so he has to learn the ins and outs. He will have to catch the ball more here and he’s adapted to that.”
Grimes has adjusted well to his new teammates, who include returning starters Jacques Pougnet, Wyatt Warner, Jonathan Dzido, Charlie Buckley, Chris Gonzalez, John Andrysiak, Chase Ross, and Hunter Whitworth. The chemistry is growing, Buckel said.
“Trent went to school with some of the boys, so he’s no stranger around here,” Buckel said. “He lives in Fenton, and we have a lot of kids from that area. He’ll have no trouble blending in to the school.”
Grimes also helps provide senior leadership that the Chargers lost from the 2012 team that went 11-1 and advanced to regionals and from the 2011 team that won the state title.
“If you’re going to have a good football program, you will have good seniors every year,” Buckel said. “We have seven guys playing college sports, with one playing basketball. That’s a lot of people to replace, but we are working to get better like everybody else is.”
Buckel expects Grimes will make a seamless transition to Powers. “He played some very good teams in the Flint Metro League and some games against outstanding teams in the playoffs,” Buckel said. “There are rivalries and talented teams here, but he should have no problem adjusting to the level of play.”