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FEATURE: Despite injury, Zion Granville gets opportunity to play football at Illinois State

Joshua Koch
Jan 27, 2021

HOUSTON - Zion Granville has been around sports his entire life.

His father Billy played football at Duke followed by spending five years with the Cincinnati Bengals and then one year with the Texans before calling it a career. With football playing such an integral part of his father's life it is no surprise that in the first grade Zion started his football career and played through middle school.


It was then that Zion went through some growing pains.

Due to the growing pains, playing football became unenjoyable, and decided then to play only basketball for the first three years of high school.

When the pandemic hit things changed.

AAU was postponed, live recruiting became non-existent, gyms were shuttered closed and even rims at parks were removed to prevent people from gathering to play. So, one day in May, JD Migl invited Granville out to play 7-on-7 football.

"I went and I fell in love with the sport," Granville said. "He had always been a brother to me, so I wanted to return the favor and decided to play football. The more I played football the more I loved it."

Being back in football and strengthening in the weight room - going from 176 to 205 pounds - Granville became a specimen at the defensive end position towering to 6-foot-6.

Fort Bend Christian Academy coach Jordan Black worked with him to become a ruthless pass rusher as a defensive end or outside linebacker with his combination of length and quickness.

"My two favorite go-to moves in basketball were my hesitation and spin move. When I got on the gridiron everything at the defensive end spot came naturally," Granville said. "It literally felt like I was playing basketball."

With so much raw talent and promise after not having played football for three years, Granville was anticipating a major senior year.

Unfortunately, it only lasted two-quarters of a scrimmage and one game before Granville's year was over, due to injury.

"I learned that nothing in life is promised except death," Granville said. "So whenever I play or workout, I do it with the most enthusiasm. I also learned that you need strong faith in God."

2021 6'6 Defensive End/WR Scrimmage(2 QRTs) & Game 1 Highlights pic.twitter.com/c0P6i0hZak
— Zion Granville (@chosenzi_one) November 28, 2020

That faith carried him through the rest of the fall. And despite not having a ton of tape on him or years of playing experience at the varsity level, Granville still received offers.

Abilene Christian, Illinois State, and a preferred walk-on opportunity from Texas came. Lamar, University of Houston, Fresno State, San Diego State, Nevada, Dartmouth, and Stephen F. Austin also showed interest.

In the end, Granville picked Illinois State University.

"I chose them because it was a full scholarship offer, best fit and they relentlessly recruited me," he said. "They want to invest in me long-term and they have a good track record of developing players. Also, I would have time to get stronger and develop through being redshirted. I had several phone and zoom meetings with the coaches and they loved my twitch, unique abilities, and potential as a pass rusher."

Having literally played almost zero high school football, getting an opportunity at the next level is "very humbling" Granville said and he is focused on winning and getting better every day at Illinois State.

Outside of football, Granville enjoys Star Wars, art, and design and still playing basketball and he wants to study political science, graphic design, or business at Illinois State.

COMMITTED‼️ #RedbirdsRi21ng pic.twitter.com/j8QQqC6XAK
— Zion Granville (@chosenzi_one) January 22, 2021
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Rolling Again: Second Baptist Women's Basketball Making Another Playoff Run

Joshua Koch
05 Mar, 2021

HOUSTON – John Herndon has always enjoyed developing players' skills.

From the little second and third graders running frivolously across the gym floor to the high schoolers who pull on the Second Baptist School jersey. Development has always played a key role in Herndon's programs and even more so in the 2020-2021 season with just one senior gracing the roster.

"It's so much fun working with younger girls," Herndon said. "The bulk of what we have out there this year is 10th graders. It's been really pleasing. The players this year just want to continue living out the legacy of the example that the girls set for them last year."

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Inside the Program: The Woodlands Christian Academy Women's Track & Field

VYPE
05 Mar, 2021

This spring the VYPE Media team visited the campus of The Woodlands Christian Academy for our annual spring media day! We had the pleasure of sitting down with the talented athletes and coaches at TWCA to take you inside the program.

Get ready for the season as VYPE goes Inside the Program with the TWCA Women's Track & Field Team!

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Alumni Spotlight: Former Concordia Lutheran star Ke'Bryan Hayes prepares for his second major league season

Joshua Koch
05 Mar, 2021
Pittsburgh Pirates

Ke'Bryan Hayes, the No. 9 prospect on MLB.com, finally got his call to "The Show" last fall.

The former Concordia Lutheran standout made his major league debut on September 1 for the Pittsburgh Pirates in the COVID-shortened 2020 MLB season.

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