Grainger is growing with QB Ashton Taylor

GRAINGER, Tenn. (WATE) — Grainger is entering its third year number with head coach Michael Manis at the helm. The Grizzlies took a step back in 2023 finishing with a 3-7 record and missing the playoffs.

“Last year was kind of a lull,” said Manis. “We had some injuries that kind of set us back. Ashton came in probably Week 5 as our starting quarterback. (He) was our slot receiver. We had some changes in our offensive roster. It kind of took us a minute to kind of get in the flow of things.”

Ashton Taylor will be the Grizzlies starting quarterback in 2024. Something he’s taking seriously.

“This year I’ll actually be at the workouts and the practices at the start of the year,” explained Taylor. “I’m gonna be a lot more confident than I was just being thrown in there. Not really knowing what I was doing. Now that I know what I’m doing, I’m a lot more confident than I was.”

“Ashton has had great improvements,” said Manis. “He kind of got in the dog house a little last year. He kind of skipped out on some summer workouts and things. This year, he’s the first person in the building every day. He’s always the first one on the practice field. He’s done a great job. He’s really taken that leadership role for us.”

The cohesiveness all starts with the class below Taylor.

“The biggest thing is our junior class,” said Manis. “I think they’ve all been playing together since they were five years old. Our junior class is kind of what brings us all together.”

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The Grizzlies will try to pick up an early win when they open the season on Aug. 23 against Claiborne.

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