Kurt Gross had to battle hard in the preseason to secure the Beal City quarterback position. It was the one position that was basically up for grabs on a team that had a lot of starters returning.
While the 35-12 loss to Muskegon Catholic Central in the state final was disappointing to Gross, it was hard for the Aggies’ senior signal-caller to not reflect favorably on his team’s 13-1 season.
Beal City opened 61-0 over Sacred Heart, beat Clare 48-0, Pine River 64-13, Manton 77-0, Pinconning 74-0, and Marion 70-0 during the regular season and topped Mio 68-15 and St. Ignace 55-0 during their playoff run.
Against MCC, “offensively, we wanted to do what we do, run the ball off tackle, pass once in awhile, and catch them off guard,” Gross said. “They were bigger, faster, and stronger.”
Early in the game, Gross was hurt when he was hit by an MCC lineman and left the game for a few plays. “I was shaken up for a second, but then I felt better and knew that I had to get back in there,” he said.
“It was probably the best pass rush [Beal City faced all season],” said Gross.
Gross was 8 of 16 for 94 yards and one interception. For the season, he led an offense that put up a ton of points.
“Muskegon Catholic sends a lot of guys. They’re on a mission,” Gross said. “They knew what they were doing. Their DBs were covering well. They shifted over well. They were disciplined. That’s the best way to describe them.”
It was definitely not what the Aggies were hoping for when they embarked on a new season, following the disappointment of last year’s state final loss.
“They’re a great team, the best team we’ve faced all year, obviously,” Gross said. “We had some mistakes here and there, but they were the best overall team we’ve faced, I thought.”
Gross’ successful season at quarterback is among the reasons the Aggies made it to the state final.
“Coming into the season, I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to play or not,” he said. “When I got the job, I had high expectations. Before that, I was just hoping to get the job…and then try to get to Ford Field.”
The most memorable game for Gross was the victory over Forest Park in the Superior Dome in Marquette when the Aggies secured a 34-18 state semifinal victory.
“When I was little, I went up there and watched them play and we got beat,” Gross said. “I always wanted to go back up to Crystal Falls and beat them.”
Gross is also on the basketball and baseball teams, which he hopes will allow him and his teammates get that elusive state title.
“[In baseball], we want to get back and take care of some unfinished business,’” Gross said.