The numbers don’t lie. Swan Valley senior running back Alex Grace is shattering the Michigan High School Athletic Association record books.
During the Vikings’ 42-14 victory over Goodrich in the opening round of the Division 4 playoffs, Grace ran his string of 200-yard games to eight, missing 300 by only two yards. He ran 23 times for 298 yards and two touchdowns. The effort also gave him his third consecutive 2,000-yard season, with 2,271 yards this season.
After setting the state record for rushing yards in a single season last year with 2,952, Grace is averaging 221.1 yards per game this year. He has scored at least three touchdowns in seven games this season, while leading the Vikings to a perfect 10-0 record heading into Swan Valley’s district final showdown against Lansing Sexton.
Grace said that the records are nice, but making it to Ford Field is something that he and the Vikings have worked toward each of the last three years. They reached the semi-finals two years ago before losing to Detroit Country Day, and lost last year to Lansing Sexton in the regional final.
This year, Grace and his team are more determined than ever to take that next step toward the ultimate prize of a state title. “All the records, I really don’t think a whole lot about,” he said. “They are truly just numbers, but the big thing for me is we keep winning games and moving forward. The guys up front open the holes, and I just do my job. This has been exciting senior season. There is still a lot of football left to be played, and I hope we are able to keep it going.”
If Grace continues his torrid pace, the 3,000-yard mark could be within reach. And what better place to achieve it than at Ford Field during the biggest high school football weekend of the year.
“To watch Alex play over the last four years has truly been an honor,” said coach Ken Bourbina. “Alex is a very humble kid. He works his butt off and the results show on the field. The thing about Alex is, he gets better as the season progresses. He is just great, and it has been so much fun watching him play the last four years. He will be missed.”
Grace will play his college football at Western Michigan University.