Grace-ful Run Into Swan Valley History

November 16, 2012

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

Alex Grace knew there would be high expectations when he joined Saginaw Swan Valley’s varsity football team this fall as a sophomore. 

But he also spent all last season – and most of his life – learning how to fulfill them from one of the Vikings’ best.

Grace watched proudly from the sideline last fall as his older brother Johnathan ran for 1,790 yards and 21 touchdowns. And then, taking Johnathan’s spot this fall, Alex tried to do the same in the same way.

Running with a similar physical style, Grace has helped the Vikings into their third MHSAA Semifinal in seven seasons; Swan Valley takes on Detroit Country Day in one of two Division 4 semis Saturday. He has rushed 256 times for 2,091 yards and 27 touchdowns. With 109 yards and three more touchdowns, he’ll make the MHSAA record book in both categories.

“I was expected to come in and be as good or better than him. I put it behind me,” Alex Grace said. “I just do the best I can, and see what happens.”

So far, this week's Second Half High 5 honoree been making school history and blowing those expectations away.

There are some definite similarities between the brothers. Swan Valley coach Ken Bourbina said Alex is simply carrying on the family tradition.

Like Jonathan, Alex is fast – he can run the 40-yard dash in 4.5 seconds. That’s a tick or two slower than his incredibly speedy brother, but Alex said his speed carries longer – he can beat Jonathan in a 200.

They certainly share similar styles. Jonathan liked to take defenders on, and Alex already is 6-foot and 185 pounds, with a penchant for running over instead of around.

“They both have the ability to turn it on, the ability to lower a shoulder. It’s a good mix,” Bourbina said. “There’s a few differences, but they have the same type (of style). His brother worked extremely hard for us, and (Alex) has just followed in his brother’s footsteps.”

And it’s no doubt helped to run in the footsteps of some of the same blockers. Like any respectful back, Grace is the first to thank his guys up front – tackles Tyler Branch and Anthony Martin, guards Mike Sielinski and Mitch Temple and center Brad Boehler, plus tight end Alex Dils. Branch, Sielinski and fullback Jaime Jimenez are all seniors who also blocked last season for Jonathan.

They’ve given Alex their endorsement. He said they too sense the similarities between the brothers.

“I try to run (tacklers) over. It makes me feel powerful,” Grace said. “I try to keep the runs straight ahead, get the most yards I can. I try to be just like him.”

Johnathan Grace, a redshirt freshman this fall at Michigan Tech, did his part as well to prepare his younger brother for the next level. He took Alex under his wing in the weight room over the summer and guided him through agility work, and that time together brought the brothers even closer.

Johnathan was listening to Swan Valley’s District Final game on the radio two weeks ago when Alex surpassed his yardage total from 2011.

“He was proud of me. He called me,” Alex Grace said. “He said congratulations … and he knew I could do it.”

PHOTO: Swan Valley sophomore Alex Grace (35) runs for some of his 127 yards against Freeland earlier this season. (Click to see more from the Regional Final at HighSchoolSportsScene.com.)

Performance of the Week: Birmingham Seaholm's Colton Kinnie

November 3, 2023

Colton KinnieColton Kinnie ♦ Birmingham Seaholm
Senior ♦ Football

The Maples’ third-year starting quarterback led Seaholm to a 56-49 win over rival Birmingham Groves in a Division 2 District Semifinal on Friday after Seaholm also had defeated Groves 21-14 in the regular-season finale the week before. Kinnie ran for four touchdowns and threw for two more as his team improved to 9-1 this fall.

Seaholm earlier repeated as Oakland Activities Association Blue champion and is a combined 17-4 over the last two seasons after finishing just 1-8 in 2021. The 6-foot-2, 220-pound Kinnie has been a major contributor to the turnaround, and he’s joined by an experienced cast of seasoned starters including twin brother Granden. Both also joined the Seaholm baseball varsity as sophomores and helped that team to a District title in the spring.

@mhsaasports 🏈POW: Colton Kinnie #football #touchdown #seaholm #letsgo #part1 #highschoolsports #tiktalk #interview #performanceoftheweek #mistudentaid #fyp #MHSAA ♬ original sound - MHSAA

@mhsaasports 🏈POW: Colton Kinnie #tiktalk #questiontime #part2 #suits #chipotle #nighttime #kitkat #reeses #phone #family #performanceoftheweek #mistudentaid #fyp #MHSAA ♬ original sound - MHSAA

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MHSAA.com's "Performance of the Week" features are powered by MI Student Aid, a part of the Office of Postsecondary Financial Planning located within the Michigan Department of Treasury. MI Student Aid encourages students to pursue postsecondary education by providing access to student financial resources and information. MI Student Aid administers the state’s 529 college savings programs (MET/MESP), as well as scholarship and grant programs that help make college Accessible, Affordable and Attainable for you. Connect with MI Student Aid at www.michigan.gov/mistudentaid and find more information on Facebook and Twitter @mistudentaid.

Past 2023-24 Honorees

Oct. 27: Lauren Timpf, Macomb Lutheran North golf - Report
Oct. 20:
Alena Li, Okemos golf - Report
Oct. 13:
Seth Norder, Grand Haven cross country - Report
Oct. 5:
Paige Anderson, Muskegon Reeths-Puffer golf - Report
Sept. 29:
MacKenzie Bisballe, Lake City volleyball - Report
Sept. 22:
Jhace Massey, Gladwin football - Report
Sept. 15:
Kaylee Draper, Sturgis swimming - Report
Sept. 8:
Owen Jackson, Traverse City St. Francis tennis - Report
Sept. 1:
Rachel Forsyth, Ann Arbor Pioneer cross country - Report

PHOTO Seaholm quarterback Colton Kinnie eludes a Groves defender during their Division 2 playoff matchup. (Photos courtesy of the Birmingham Seaholm athletic department.)