Grenier a mighty little giant

BY SCOTT HADDOW

Lockerby senior boys' football player Jon Grenier defines the old saying one can't judge a book by its cover.

At first glance, Grenier looks like a lamb being led to slaughter when he heads out onto the field. At a generous five-foot-six and 145 pounds, Grenier doesn't cast an imposing shadow or project an intimidating presence.

Grenier looks small compared to some of the beasts that roam the high school league looking to squash opponents. Many players stand over six feet tall and tip the scales at 250+ pounds.

Once the whistle blows to start the action, Grenier grows about a foot and gains 100 pounds.

Despite his small stature, Grenier runs over his opponents with reckless abandon, flattening them like a one-tonne truck.

His heart is monstrous and his will to beat his foes is unquenchable. These elements drive Grenier to be the best he can be and allows him to play a game designed for big boys.

Grenier packs more than just a surprising punch. He's blessed with super sonic feet, which effortlessly propels him past sprawling, dejected defenders time and time again.

When he gets the ball in the backfield, Grenier explodes like a bullet out of a gun. In a blur he breaks tackles, smashes his way through linemen and kicks up plenty of dust for his opponents to choke on.

He uses his fast feet to nimble around the opposition, and if that doesn't work, he runs right over them.

Grenier has taken the league by force this season after transferring from Kitchener last year. Yet he's no southern dandy. He's a true Northern Ontario boy. He was born in the Nickel City and his father, John Miller, was a stand out tailback for the Sudbury Spartans in the late 80s and into the 90s.

Some football experts see a lot of similarities in father and son and many predict greatness for Grenier. It's all up to him and how bad he wants to become a top player.

"I'm a motivated and intense competitor," Grenier said. "I thrive on going all out on the field all the time. I wouldn't have it any other way."

Size has never been an issue for Grenier as he's always had a lot of fight and gumption in him.

"It's never been a problem for me, but other people have had their concerns, but that's their problem," the 17-year-old said. "People have always underestimated me because I am small. Then they try and stop me and they end up on their backs."

Fear never crosses Grenier's mind when he encounters a 250-pound linebacker looking to crush him with a big hit.

"I'll get pass them," Grenier said about what goes through his mind when meeting a larger foe. "No matter what, I am coming at full speed. I love to get hit so I have no hesitations at any time. I keep my feet moving and keep going forward."

Grenier quickly broke stereotypes at his first practice.

"Jon brings a toughness to this team that we missed last year," head coach Geoff Richer said. "It's unbelievable how he runs the ball with such force. I was taken back by him the first time I saw him run. I noticed he was small and was unsure in how I would use him. It didn't take me long to realize I could use him almost anywhere I wanted to."

Grenier has made Lockerby into a scary offensive machine.

"He can run over linebackers and linemen," said Richer. "We haven't had that kind of presence in years and it's something we need. He adds a lot of versatility to the offence. He's also emerging as a leader...he has earned the respect of the players."

Grenier moved from Kitchener, where he was living with his mom, to Sudbury so he could play football and live with his dad. He was looking for a change of pace and a different lifestyle. The north is where he wants to be and he mines his dad for help all the time.

"My dad gives me pointers all the time...he was a great player and knows a lot about the game," the Grade 11 student said. "The football is a lot better up here compared to Kitchener. It's alive up here and the fans are great."

It means the world for Miller to see his son play football. Miller loves to stand at the sidelines and watch his son as close as possible. He likes what he sees.

"He's a well-rounded player," Miller said. "He's better than I was at that age. I was fast too, but I couldn't hit anyone. Jon just pummels other kids without thinking about it."

Miller sees similarities and differences in their games.

"He has quickness like I did and how he sees the holes," Miller said. "He has no fear in taking someone on. I wish I had that when I was 17...I would've been a better player. He's a step ahead of me and it will take him somewhere."

Grenier played this past summer for the Sudbury Northerners, but wasn't utilized fully. He's getting a pile of playing time for Lockerby and relishing every second.

"It means a lot to me to play and help the team win games," the x-receiver and tailback said. "All the teams I played on before, we never really won anything let alone games. It feels great to be on a team that wants to win. I am motivated to win a city championship. I hear it's a big deal in Sudbury and I would like to experience it first hand."

In his first two games, Grenier rushed for 211 yards on 20 carries and scored three touchdowns.