Four-year starter Ross eager to lead Our Lady of the Lakes to strong season

Coach Jason Abrecht (center) and then Junior Grant Ross (left) at the 2018 Our Lady of the Lakes Homecoming Game vs Royal Oak Shrine. (Photo by Mary Zednik) 

By its very nature, the quarterback position comes with additional leadership responsibilities, both on and off the field. So it’s rare when any team turns over the reigns to a freshman to guide a group of upperclassmen.

Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes senior Grant Ross was one of those rare exceptions back in 2016 when his Lakers program — fresh off an appearance in the Division 8 state title game — entrusted him with the starting gig.

Now three years later, on the verge of his final prep season, Ross hopes to make the most of his last go-around donning the Lakers’ blue and white jersey.

“I’m really looking forward to playing with all my buddies that I’ve been with for four years,” Ross said as the lone player present for the Catholic League’s preseason media day event last week. “We’re looking to go to the Prep Bowl this year. That’s the big goal. And maybe a district championship too. It’s been a while since we’ve been there.”

With his progression from a wide-eyed freshman quarterback to the experienced, go-to leader of the group now complete, Ross has welcomed the added responsibility.

“It’s special. When I was a freshman I always looked up to the senior guys like Gabe Nichols and Isaac Oliver. They were the big leaders and now it kind of feels weird for me to be in that position, but I’m going to take it and accept it to try and be the best leader I can be.”

As a prominent player at one of the smallest high schools that fields a football team in the state, Ross and many of his peers hardly ever leave the field.

“He started for us as a freshman (at quarterback) and after Week 2, I think he was a two-way starter for us (at safety),” Lakers head coach Jason Albrecht said. “It’s nice because he knows what we’re running, he’s able to put other kids into position (on the field). He knows the offense. He listens, he’s smart, he’s a good student. And he’s a competitor. You don’t have to worry about him having that drive.”

WOLL has qualified for the postseason in each of the past seven seasons, but has not advanced past the first round since 2015. The Lakers finished 5-5 last year in Albrecht’s first year as head coach.

With another offseason of weight training and preparation, Albrecht said he’s optimistic about improved results.

“When I came into Lakes, we had similar philosophies on how we wanted our offense and defense to look. The kids have been around long enough and have that idea stuck in their head. It’s implemented,” he said. “The nice thing is it translates down to the young kids because they’re not just hearing it from me, but the seniors and juniors too.”

With a dual-threat quarterback like Ross, four experienced linemen returning, as well as 1,000-yard rusher Kyle Cartier at running back, the Lakers’ offense will be well positioned to put up points. Anthony Mersino and Jack Loeffler provide additional dangerous weapons at Ross’s disposal.

“I think the big thing for our kids is that they’re all connected already as a team,” Albrecht said. “They’re all buddies and that brotherhood is already built. It’s not something where you have a bunch of random kids coming in to form a team. They’re pretty tight-knit as it is.”

Source: Four-year starter Ross eager to lead Our Lady of the Lakes to strong season