Gregory delivers special effort to claim 9AA state title
Gregory QB, Andy McCance was named MVP of the 9AA state championship game after a 6 TD passing performance against Webster.
By Rich Winter
It's interesting watching a game on television as opposed to watching it in person. I like being there but sometimes, in the comfort of your own home, you see things you don't necessarily see while toting a camera and notepad.
While I knew Gregory has some tuff kids I didn't realize they had so many tough kids. Early on, even when Webster was running the ball effectively early in the game, everytime the Gorillas delivered a hit, they delivered a HIT. Wasn't shocked when Hunter Gaikowski got carted off the field (good luck to that kid looked like a heck of a player) but I was a tad shocked at just how many Webster players were struggling to get after big-hit after big-hit was delivered by the Gorillas.
First couple plays of the game, even the kickoff, JJ Beck announced his arrival - TUFF kid that had 10 tackles, 8 unassisted and two tackles for losses....had 139 tackles on the year...as a sophomore
Robert Vomacka - Didn't realize Vomacka was so good on offense and he's just so rangy on defense - TUFF kid.
Jayd VanDerWerff - Tuff kid that seems to have an extra gear and some silky smooth moves with great hands.
Triv Vosika - Have seen this kid floating around the two times I've seen Gregory. Watching him on television though, this guy form tackles and really gets after ya despite being a smallish fella.
Caleb Stukel - Played against what must be this young man's uncle...Cal...another smallish guy that really knows how to duck under offensive players and get into the lower body of a bigger runner or receiver.
Both Vosika and Stukel man those corner positions, and you would think other teams would go after them in jump balls but I saw two guys with great timing and feel for the game step up and make plays.
Jon Bakke - Tuff kid, only a junior...
I'm going to stop there but seems like a certain toughness permeates this team. Gregory might be smaller than a lot of the teams they faced in the 9AA gauntlet they just trounced but nobody in the field hits like Gregory, no one moved the ball like Gregory and no one can ever take away that 9AA state championship.
Hope colleges give McCance a chance....
Wrote something about McCance's scrambling ability after that game against Stanley County and after posting it, felt bad because I really didn't get to describe the other aspects of his game. This young man throws a beautiful ball....Every ball. That first TD, the 57-yarder that dropped from the sky, on the money...truly a thing of beauty. That touch pass to I think it was Vomacka, about a 15-yarder that turned into a 30-yarder was special. But this young man has all the throw, the gun-it-in-there, the pump-fake, then gun it in there, throws on the run...You name it, it's in his bag of tricks.
On television, when you get to see the replay, even that little stretch hand off Gregory does, and does at high speed, McCance makes it look easy. Such an intricate offense, with so many formations and options and such and they all are run like a well oiled machine...(If only he could corral himself from flinching when he lines up at TB...JK).
Oh, did I mention he can run?
Scramble?
Someone made the comparison to Johnny Manziel in college, which is true, but I kinda turned my nose up at...How about Doug Flutie? Hmmm, have another year to figure it out I guess.
Congratulations, especially to the Gregory seniors...Perfection doesn't come around very often and you guys were perfect!!
