Monday Morning Practice + Exciting Weekend Highlights! 🏈

Just a quick reminder that practice kicks off tomorrow (Monday) at 7:30 AM in the Grant Bowl. Please make sure your athlete arrives on time, hydrated, and ready to go!

We also wanted to share a few exciting updates from this weekend:

    • Grant took 3rd place in the Lineman Challenge on Saturday! Huge shoutout to our hardworking linemen for representing us with pride and grit.

    •  Deckard Hale and Dontae Stydum both played in Friday’s Les Schwab Bowl—Deckard served as a team captain, and Dontae received the prestigious Brian Bafaro Award!

    •    In an extra special moment, Grant alum and current Tennessee Titan Markus Harris was honored with the coin toss before the game.

Photos of this weekend events below!

Go Generals!

Rumble on the River 7v7 and Linemen Challenge

We are looking forward to the Rumble on the River 7v7 and Linemen Challenge this Saturday.  Here is some important information regarding the event:

Evergreen High School McKenzie Stadium - 2211 NE 138th Ave, Vancouver, WA 98684

  •  There is a fee for spectators - $5 single person, $15 for family pass

  • We will have a concession stand at the top of the south grand stands

  • Lunch will be provided for coaches, players are on their own for their meal

  • trainer / medical professional available

  • No protective gear should be worn for both 7v7 and linemen challenge (soft 7v7 helmets are ok)

Schedule:

8:00 a.m. – Field space available for warm up

8:40 a.m. – Coaches meeting 50 yard line on the track near the south grandstands

9:00 a.m. - Start time for 7v7 and Linemen

12:20 p.m. – Lunch Break (Lunch provided for coaches)

12:30 p.m. – Linemen Tug-o-War on main field

1:15 p.m. – Championship Bracket play begins

Grant Youth Football Registration Now Open + Coaching & Volunteer Opportunities

Grant Youth Families,

We’re excited to announce that Grant Youth Football registration is officially live!

👉 https://grantyouthfootball.sportngin.com/register/form/462599853

Mark your calendars:

🏈 Youth Training Camp is scheduled for August 4–6 5:00pm-6:30 pm. A separate registration link for camp will be shared soon.

🪅 Moms of the Generals Huddle: Join us on August 21 from 5–7 PM for a special evening to connect with other Grant football moms and hear from coaches about program philosophy, safety, and what to expect this season. Whether you’re part of the youth or high school program, this is a great chance to build community and get game-day ready! More information to come soon.

Coaches & Volunteers Needed:

We’re currently looking for Head Coaches for both the 3rd–4th grade and 5th–6th grade teams. If you or someone you know is passionate about football and wants to support our community, please reach out—these are paid positions.

We’re also in need of volunteers to help make this season a success. Current needs include:

    •    Team Parents

    •    Equipment Managers

    •    Registration Support

    •    Medical Staff

If you’re interested in coaching or volunteering, please email Gabe at gabienheller9@gmail.com

Let’s make this a great season for our kids—Go Generals!

Cheers,

The Grant Youth Football Team

🏈 Grant Football Updates: Spring Practice, Pop-Up Store, & Battle of the River

Hi Generals families,

We’ve got a few important updates as we gear up for summer:

📣 Spring Practice Resumes Today!

Spring practice is back in session starting today June 16 - June 18, from 4:00–5:30 PM. Let’s keep the momentum going—see you out there!

🛍️ Last Call: Pop-Up Store Closes June 20

If you haven’t grabbed your Grant Football gear yet, now’s the time! The online pop-up store closes on June 20. Stock up on tees, hoodies, and more before it’s gone. https://bit.ly/43RxXZB

🔥 Save the Date: Battle of the River – Saturday, June 28

Mark your calendars! Our athletes will be competing in the Battle of the River 7-on-7 and Lineman Challenge on Saturday, June 28.

Thanks for being part of the Grant Football community, we couldn’t do it without you.

Go Generals!

– Coach Beck

Parent meeting slide show and registration

It was awesome seeing so many of you at last week’s parent meeting! We loved having Coach Beck introduce himself and share his vision for the team—it’s clear we’re in for an exciting season.

We’re looking forward to getting things rolling soon with summer workouts!

A quick heads-up: Football registration is now open on Family ID! You should be able to log into your account and see football listed as an available option. Make sure to get registered so you're all set for the season.

If you signed up to receive emails about volunteer opportunities, keep an eye on your inbox. You’ll be getting a separate message soon with all the roles we’ll need help with this year.

For anyone who couldn’t make the meeting, no worries! You can check out the slide deck here:
👉 Parent Meeting Slide Deck

As always, feel free to reach out with any questions.

Parenting meeting & Public Meeting for the Grant Bowl

Parent Meeting 5/29!!!

We’re excited to kick off the upcoming season with a parent meeting on 6:30 PM Thursday, May 29 in the Upper Commons at Grant High School.

Coach Beck will be there to introduce himself and share a bit about what to expect this season, including key dates, ordering gear, the upcoming schedule, and overall team plans.

We hope to see you there!

Help Us Light the Bowl: Support Grant Field Lighting at the June 11 Hearing

A land use hearing has been scheduled for Wednesday, June 11, 2025 at 9:00 AM to review the proposal for installing permanent lights at Grant Bowl. This is a critical step in securing much-needed field lighting for our community. We need as many supporters as possible to submit written statements or give live testimony in favor of the project. Your voice can make a real difference in helping us move this project forward. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out. All the details on how to submit testimony or participate in the hearing can be found here: https://www.portland.gov/auditor/hearings/land-use.

Welcome Back Coach Beck & Summer/Fall Training Schedule

Dear Grant Football Families,

We’re excited to announce that Coach John Beck is returning as Head Football Coach at Grant High School!

Many of you may remember Coach Beck from his first stint leading the Generals, where he guided the team to an impressive 16-2 record in PIL play, earning four league titles—including two outright championships. He built a program rooted in discipline, hard work, and belief—and now he’s back to build on that foundation.

Coach Beck is more than a football coach. He’s a lifelong educator and multi-sport coach who’s worked with student-athletes in softball, track & field, and wrestling at schools including Hermiston, Barlow, North Medford, Crater, and Lakeridge. A proud Oregonian, he grew up in Woodburn and Molalla where he played football, baseball, and wrestled, and later went on to play football at Southern Oregon University.

He’s currently a teacher in Grant’s PE department, which means he’s already invested in our students’ growth both in the classroom and around campus. That daily connection gives him a unique ability to mentor our athletes year-round, not just during the season.

What stands out most is his understanding of what it means to be a General. Coach Beck knows the tradition and pride that comes with wearing blue and gray. He’s committed to working closely with families, alumni, and the broader community to help our players grow into leaders—on the field and beyond.

We’re incredibly lucky to have him back at the helm. Please join us in welcoming Coach Beck back to Grant Football!

Go Generals!

Upcoming Parent Meeting & Tentative Football Schedule

We are working to schedule a parent meeting soon to officially introduce Coach Beck and provide important information about the upcoming season. We’ll share the confirmed date and details as soon as they’re finalized. In the meantime, please review the tentative training and practice schedule below so you can plan accordingly:

June Spring Training:

  • June 2nd - 4th | 4:00 - 5:30 p.m.

  • June 16th - 18th | 4:00 - 5:30 p.m.

Summer Pre-Season Training:

  • June 30th - July 2nd | 7:30 - 11:00 a.m.

  • July 7th - 10th | 7:30 - 11:00 a.m.

  • July 14th - 17th | 7:30 - 11:00 a.m.

  • July 21st - 24th | 7:30 - 11:00 a.m.

  • August 4th - 7th | 7:30 - 11:00 a.m.

Training Camp Practices:

  • August 11th - 15th | 5:00 - 8:00 p.m.

  • August 18th - 22nd | 5:00 - 8:00 p.m.

  • August 23rd | Team & Individual Pictures (Time TBA)

  • August 25th - 28th | 5:00 - 8:00 p.m.

  • August 29th | Walk-thru Practice (Time TBA)

Normal In-Season Practice Schedule (Starting September 1st):

  • Mondays | 4:00 - 6:45 p.m.

  • Tuesdays - Thursdays | 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.

Week 6 update

Hello Team Families,

We’ve made it to Week 6, and our teams are gearing up for another exciting round of games! Please see the schedule for this week's matchups:

  • Varsity Game:
    Date: Thursday, October 10th
    Opponent: Ida B. Wells
    Time: 7:00 PM
    Location: Marshall Campus (3905 SE 91st Ave, Portland, OR)

  • JV Game:
    Date: Wednesday, October 9th
    Opponent: Ida B. Wells

    Time: 4:00 PM
    Location: Ida B. Wells High School (1151 SW Vermont St, Portland, OR)

Let’s continue to show our support and cheer on our athletes as they advance in the season. Remember to bring your team spirit, and as always, go team!

We are thrilled to announce that Bryan Butcher Jr., President of Grant Youth Football, has been named Oregon's Teacher of the Year! This incredible achievement comes as no surprise to those of us who have had the privilege of seeing his dedication to students both on and off the field.

Mr. Butcher’s commitment to shaping young minds has always been evident, whether he’s coaching on game day or leading in the classroom. His positive influence and passion for teaching have inspired countless students, and it’s wonderful to see his impact now being recognized at the state level.

We are incredibly proud of Bryan and excited to celebrate this much-deserved honor with him. His leadership and dedication to our youth continue to make a lasting difference in our community.

Please join us in congratulating Mr. Butcher on this outstanding achievement!

Go team, and go Mr. Butcher!

SENIOR PARENTS!!!!!

Confirming that senior night will be 11/1 this year. For senior night we need you to start getting a few things sent in.  We would like parents or guardians to send us a letter that can be read by the announcer when your player is on the field.

Things we need from Parents

  1. Please prepare a 20-30 second  letter by 10/25

  2. Tell us who your player is, 

    • How long he has been playing football.

    • His position, what he lives about the game etc.

    • Name of Parents/Guardians and family names who may be on field with player for Senior night.  

Parents and family will go on field to be presented and honored before the game. This is a really fun night to celebrate our Seniors and the families that support them.

Generals Weekly Update: Week 4 - Homecoming Excitement!

We're entering Week 4, and you know what that means—Homecoming Week is here! It’s time to rally behind our athletes as they face off against Jesuit High School in what promises to be a thrilling set of matchups.

Game Schedule:

  • Varsity: Friday, 9/27 @ Grant, Kickoff at 3:45 PM

  • JV: Thursday, 9/26 @ Jesuit, Kickoff at 4:15 PM

Let’s bring the energy! Mark your calendars, grab your Grant gear, and get ready to cheer our teams on to victory. Your support makes all the difference—let’s make it loud!

We’re still looking for a few more game day volunteers, so if you’re able to help, please sign up below and be part of the action!

Go Generals!

Volunteers Needed for This Week’s Bowl Game!

We need volunteers to ensure the event runs smoothly. We’re specifically looking for volunteers to manage the chains and help out at the concession stand. If you can assist, please sign up as soon as possible here.

Thank you for your continued support!

Week 3 update

Hey Grant Football Families,

We’re heading into Week 3, and it’s time to get ready for a great set of matchups against Lincoln High School!

  • Varsity Game: Friday, 9/20 @ Lincoln, Kickoff 7:00 PM

  • JV Game: Thursday, 9/19 @ Grant Bowl, Kickoff 4:00 PM

Let’s come together to support our teams and cheer them on to victory! Make sure to mark your calendars, wear your Grant gear, and show up with your game-day spirit.

Go Generals!

Volunteers Needed for This Week’s JV Bowl Game!

As we prepare for our first JV bowl game this week, we need volunteers to ensure the event runs smoothly. We’re specifically looking for volunteers to manage the chains on the field—this is a vital role that keeps the game moving.

If you can assist, please sign up as soon as possible here.

Thank you for your continued support!

SENIOR PARENTS

For senior night we will need you to start getting a few things sent in.  We would like parents or guardians to send us a letter that can be read by the announcer when your player is on the field. This is needed the week before senior night (senior night is usually our last Home Game which would be 11/1). I will be confirming the date in next weeks update.

Things we need from Parents

  1. Please prepare a 20-30 second  letter by 10/25

  2. Tell us who your player is, 

    • How long he has been playing football.

    • His position, what he lives about the game etc.

    • Name of Parents/Guardians and family names who may be on field with player for Senior night.  

Parents and family will go on field to be presented and honored before the game. This is a really fun night to celebrate our Seniors and the families that support them.

Week two updates

Hello Football Families,

Welcome to Week 2 of the season! While last week’s game was a tough loss, we were thrilled to see how much growth there has been since practice started. The progress is undeniable, and we’re excited to keep building on it!

This week, both squads will face off against Hood River:

  • Varsity: Our first bowl game of the year is on Friday, 9/13 at 4 PM. Since it’s an early kickoff, we’ll be hosting a team lunch instead of dinner. Be sure to arrive early—we’re expecting a big crowd, and you won’t want to miss the excitement!

  • JV: The JV team will play on Thursday, 9/12 at 6 PM in Hood River. Dinner will be provided by Friends of Grant Football (FOGF).

Let’s make this a great week of football!

Urgent: Volunteers Needed for This Week’s Bowl Game!

As we prepare for our first bowl game of the season this Friday, 9/13 at 4 PM, we urgently need volunteers to ensure the event runs smoothly. We’re specifically looking for help with chains and concessions:

  • Chains: Volunteers are needed to manage the chains on the field—this is a vital role that keeps the game moving.

  • Concessions: We also need volunteers to staff the concession stand. We’re especially looking for someone with a food handler’s card who is willing to BBQ hotdogs and hamburgers. The BBQ will be fully set up and ready to go; we just need someone committed to grilling!

This is a fantastic opportunity to help raise funds for our program. The money we raise supports coaching stipends, team equipment, team dinners, and our camp stipends/beach retreat.

If you can assist, please sign up as soon as possible here. Your contribution is vital to making this event a success for our players and fans.

Thank you for your continued support!

Exciting News: Snap! Raise Fundraiser Has Begun!

This years Snap! Raise fundraiser has officially started! This is our biggest fundraiser of the season, and we need everyone’s help to make it a success.

Company Matching: Don’t Forget to Check!
Many employers offer matching gift programs, which can double the impact of your donation. Please take a moment to check with your employer about their matching gift policy. Friends of Grant Football is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, so we qualify for most company matches. We should already be listed on popular match platforms like Benevity, making the process even easier.

By securing a company match, you’re not only supporting our football program but also maximizing the resources available to our players. Every dollar raised helps cover coaching stipends, team equipment, team dinners, and other essential needs throughout the season.

Thank you for your ongoing support and participation—let’s make this our most successful fundraiser yet!

Kickoff to the First Official Week of Football Season! 🏈

Dear Football Families,

I hope this message finds you well and excited for the start of our first official week of football season! Players have been working hard in practice, and now it’s time for the games to begin.

Here are the details for this week’s matchups:

  • Varsity: Our Varsity team will be playing under the lights this Friday at 7:00 PM in Oregon City (Pioneer Memorial Stadium). We’ll have a full team meal ahead of the game to make sure the players are fueled up and ready to go. It’s going to be an exciting night, so let’s get out there and show our support!

  • JV: Our JV team will be taking the field on Thursday at 4:30 PM in Oregon City (Pioneer Memorial Stadium). We’ll have snacks and water available before the game to keep the players energized and focused. It’s the first chance for many of our players to shine, and we’re looking forward to a great game. We know it is going to be hot and have a plan for ensuring players have access to water.

If you have any questions or need additional information, feel free to reach out.

Let’s make this a great week to kick off the season!

Game day Volunteers

Thank you to everyone who has already signed up to volunteer on game day! Your support makes a big difference. We still have a few spots open, particularly for chains and concessions, so if you haven’t yet, please consider signing up here.

For those who have reached out about helping with team dinners, I’m in the process of creating the schedule this week based on everyone’s responses. I appreciate your patience, and I’ll be in touch soon with more details.

Thank you for your continued support!

Details for Friday's Jamboree

Good evening everyone,

I wanted to share some details for this Friday’s Jamboree at Tualatin High School. The JV game will kick off at 2 PM, followed by the Varsity game at 6 PM.

In my previous email, I mentioned that food would be provided for both teams on game days. However, due to the timing of this event, the JV team will not be receiving meals this time. The Varsity team will have light snacks available, but not a full meal. There will be a concession stand on-site.

Thanks, and I look forward to seeing you all on Friday!

Welcome to the 2024/2025 Football Season!

Dear Families,

We are thrilled to welcome you to the 2024/2025 football season! We’re excited to have you as part of our team and look forward to a fantastic season ahead.

As we kick things off, we wanted to share a few important updates:

Volunteer Opportunities

We have a number of volunteer opportunities available, including roles for varsity and JV chains, announcing, scorekeeping, and working the concession stand at our two home bowl games, which will be hosted in the Grant High School Bowl. Your help is essential to making this season a success, and we greatly appreciate any time you can contribute.

You can find and sign up for all available volunteer positions by visiting our signup sheet here. If you have any questions please e-mail Stephanie at admin@friendsofgrantfootball.com

Game Schedules

The varsity and JV game schedules are now available. We’re looking forward to some great matchups this season, and we hope to see everyone out there supporting our players.

VaRsity schedule

JV Schedule

Snap! Raise Campaign

We are launching our Snap! Raise fundraising campaign soon. This will be a key part of supporting our program.

The funds raised through Snap! Raise are vital to our program, helping us bring on additional coaches, purchase critical equipment, and provide meals for all athletes ahead of each game. Your participation in this campaign will directly impact the quality of our season and the experience we can offer our players.

Family Night and Youth Clinics

Greetings Grant Football Friends and Families! 

On May 2nd, 6-8 pm Grant Football will be hosting a Family Information Night for families whose children are interested in tackle football with a few goals in mind:

  • Provide safety education, enrollment, training details and expectations for fall tackle football for new and returning families

  • A Question and Answer with Coach Melson

  • Build community among all families before our busy season begins

Come mingle and, most importantly, bring a new or interested family with you to meet fellow parents and players and see what we are all about!

We hope to see you there. Please RSVP here:  Grant Youth Family Info Night

For all of you who signed up for the April Skills Clinics, thank you! We appreciate you! We have three more sessions happening in May, starting May 11th. Please join us! 

Youth Skills Camp Registration — Friends of Grant Football

Update from Coach Melson, important dates and youth updates

Grant Football Families

I hope this email finds you well. It's that time of the year again to start preparing for our 2024 season. Over the last couple of weeks the coaching staff has been working and planning to engage our student athletes for a positive football experience. It is important that every member of the Football family is on the same page and taking steps to contribute to another successful season. The calendar for the 24 season has been set and can be found at Friendsofgrantfootball.com/calendar Please be sure to view the calendar and make notes of important events. These opportunities will be the foundational building blocks for a team and the approaching season. 

One opportunity that has already started is “0 Period Training”. Starting last week we began our yearly 0 period training sessions. These sessions are before school and give our students athletes opportunities to train and prepare their body for the upcoming season. We have already completed four of the forty one sessions we will host before Spring Ball kicks off. Please encourage your student athlete to join these sessions at 6:45am Monday, Wednesday, and Friday in the Grant weight room.


The Grant Bowl was recently reopened to welcome back Grant Athletes. We thank you for all the individuals that took the time to fight and advocate for this important resource to our community and school. The fight is not over yet. A few very important events are happening in the next two weeks:

1) PPS Facilities and Operations meeting this Wednesday 2/28 at 6pm. During this session they will be talking about the cost of the lights and will determine if it should go for board approval

2) PPS School Board meeting on 3/5. If the Facilities and Operations committee agrees to have the lights go for board approval, that approval will likely happen during the March board meeting.

Coach Melson

Youth Update

Grant Football would like to introduce its new president Bryan Butcher. Bryan is a 2008 Grant graduate who competed in Football and Baseball. Today Bryan is a Math teacher at Beaumont Middle school. Bryan is happy to return to the program and assist in supporting Grant Youth Football and its families. Be on the lookout for communications from him pertaining to youth events and upcoming seasons.

Information Night 5/2

Grant football information night will be May 2nd. Please join us to hear about the opportunities Grant Football provides for the student athletes in our community. There will be a meet and greet and a Q/A session for potential new and returning families. 

Where: Nohos

When: May 2

Time: 6:00pm - 8:00pm

Clinics

Youth Clinics are back! We are excited to announce that Grant Football will be hosting youth clinics in April and May. We will host two different sessions that each will include three sessions. These sessions give our youth the opportunity to build skills and confidence before the pads go on in August. They will get the opportunity to work with the High School staff and players while continuing to build relationships with teammates and coaches. It is also a good opportunity for current 8th graders to come and jumpstart their transition to highschool football. Registration will open on March 1st

Clinics dates are:

  • April 13 20 27

  • May 11 18 25

We are excited to get the ball rolling for the 24 season. It will be another opportunity for our student athletes to grow and forge relationships that can last a lifetime. As always please feel free to reach out with any questions you may have about the upcoming events and season. Continue to encourage your athletes and push them to follow our three core rules and values.

Register Here

  1. Be Accountable

  2. Do Everything To the Best of Your Ability 

  3. L.E.A.D

January Board Meeting 1/10

Friends of Grant Football is gearing up for another exciting year supporting our beloved Grant Generals Football program. We invite you to the upcoming board meeting:

Date: 1/10

Time: 6PM-7:30PM

Location: Nohos 4627 NE Fremont St, Portland, OR 97213

We are currently seeking volunteers to take on the crucial roles of Treasurer, Secretary and voting members within the board. Having active family participation is vital in shaping the success of Friends of Grant Football. Together, we can make a significant impact on the Grant High School Football program!

If you have a commitment to our football community and are interested in contributing your skills, please e-mail Stephanie at admin@friendsofgrantfootball or join us at this months board meeting to learn more.

Go Generals!! 🏈