Friday Night Lights Are FINALLY Here! 🏈✨
Tomorrow night, history is being made at Grant Bowl: the first-ever Friday night football game under the lights!
Before heading to The Bowl, stop by Hollywood Killer Burger from 3–7 PM. Grab dinner and 15% of eligible proceeds will go back to Grant Football.
🍔 Killer Burger Hollywood | 4644 NE Sandy Blvd
⏰ 3–7 PM
🏈 Then head to The Bowl for Friday Night Lights!
Come eat, support the team, and then be part of a night our Grant community has been waiting a LONG time for.
Rise As One. Go Generals!
We Need You! Grant Bowl Bleacher Build This Wednesday
Grant Football Families,
It’s happening! The bleachers for Grant Bowl are arriving, and we need all hands on deck to get them built and ready for our first home football game under the lights!
Grant Bowl Bleacher Building Party
📅 Wednesday, September 9
⏰ 4:00 p.m. until we’re done!
📍 Grant Bowl
Our players will be at practice, so we’re calling on parents, family members and our Grant community to help us get this done. This is a big job, and we need all the support we can get. Even if you can’t arrive right at 4:00, please join us when you can.
Dinner will be provided for everyone helping.
Please RSVP to admin@friendsofgrantfootball.com so we can get an accurate headcount for dinner.
After everything it took to bring Friday night football home to Grant Bowl, we’re down to one final community push. Let’s get these bleachers built and get the Bowl ready for Friday night!
And a quick reminder: Friday’s game kicks off at 6:00 p.m. We can’t wait to see everyone there for our first home football game under the lights!
Thank you for continuing to show up for our players and this program. We couldn’t do this without this incredible community.
Go Generals!
Friends of Grant Football
First Games + Important Dates
Hi Football Families,
A few quick notes as we kick off the season:
Tomorrow: JV Game + Team Dinner
Our first JV game is tomorrow at 4:00 p.m. in the Grant Bowl.
JV players will be released from class at 2:30 p.m.
Friends of Grant Football will provide protein bars, bananas, and Gatorade in Coach Beck’s office for JV players.
We still need a clock operator and one person to help with chains for tomorrow’s JV game. If you can help, please text Stephanie at 503-933-8050. Thank you!
Varsity will practice on the upper field, then watch the end of the JV game.
All Varsity and Swing players are invited to a Team Dinner tomorrow evening:
6:15 p.m. at Kimmy Scarpine’s house, 3204 NE 40th Ave.
Friday: First Varsity Game
Our first Varsity game is Friday at 7:00 p.m. at Lincoln High School.
Snacks will be available after school.
All Varsity players will ride the bus from Grant, departing at 4:30 p.m.
Players will return to Grant together by bus after the game.
Dates for Your Calendar
Varsity Home games begin at 6:00 p.m., not 7:00 p.m.
Future Varsity Team Dinners: September 10, October 1, October 7, and October 22
September 11: Homecoming game
October 8: Game rescheduled from October 9, since there is no school October 9
October 23: Senior Night
We are also working on scheduling the Bleacher Set-Up BBQ Day, likely September 8 or 9. More information will be shared as soon as it is confirmed.
Thank you to our generous families and business sponsors who continue to wow us! We are so grateful for your support!
Last Chance to RSVP + Jamboree This Friday!
Hi Grant Football Families,
We Are So Grateful for This Community
Before anything else, we want to take a moment to say thank you to this incredible Grant community.
Over and over again, people have stepped up and asked, “What does the team need, and how can we help?” Whether it has been donating, volunteering, hosting events, advocating for our players, or simply showing up, this community has rallied around our kids in an incredible way.
Because of you, we are able to make sure our players and coaches have what they need to be successful and give our kids the football experience they deserve.
This community is truly amazing, and we are incredibly grateful to be part of it. Thank you for continuing to show up for Grant Football and our kids.
We have a big weekend ahead! Here are a few important reminders, including Friday’s jamboree and the last chance to RSVP for Sunday’s Football Brunch and BBQ.
Football Jamboree – Friday, August 28
The Grant Generals are heading to Sunset High School for the preseason jamboree.
Location: Sunset High School
13840 NW Cornell Rd., Portland, OR 97229
JV / Frosh-Soph Jamboree
5:00–7:00 p.m.
Stadium Field
Varsity Jamboree
7:00–9:00 p.m.
Stadium Field
Grant will be competing alongside Sunset, Clackamas, and Wilsonville.
There is no admission or entry fee for the jamboree.
Last Chance to RSVP for Football Brunch & BBQ!
Football Moms, Grandmothers & Aunts Brunch
Sunday, August 30 | 11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
2204 NE 26th Ave.
All Grant Football moms, grandmothers, and aunts are warmly invited to enjoy champagne, a delicious brunch, and time to connect with other women in our football community. We’re also delighted that Principal McGee will make a guest appearance!
Please RSVP to KatieLeathers@gmail.com.
A sliding-scale donation of $25–$50 is suggested. 100% of donations go directly to Friends of Grant Football.
Football Dads, Granddads & Uncles Cookout
Sunday, August 30 | 1:00–4:00 p.m.
4040 NE 29th Ave.
All Grant Football dads, granddads, and uncles are invited to relax, connect, and kick off the season together. We’re also delighted that Coach Beck will make a guest appearance!
Please RSVP to greggrhale@gmail.com.
A sliding-scale donation of $25–$50 is suggested. 100% of donations go directly to Friends of Grant Football.
A big thank-you to Katie and Gregg for generously opening their homes and hosting these gatherings!
Football Photos
Team and individual photos are now available:
https://www.foreyesphotos.com/p70196294
Go Generals!
Friends of Grant Football
Grant Football Family Updates + Upcoming Events
Grant Football Families,
It was amazing to see so many of you at the parent meeting yesterday! Thank you for coming out, connecting with one another, and taking the time to hear from our coaches. It was especially great to have the coaching staff introduce themselves and share more about the season ahead.
There is so much excitement around Grant Football right now, especially with all of our home games officially moving to Grant Bowl this season. A few follow-ups from yesterday’s meeting:
We Need Your Help at Home Games
Having all of our home games at Grant Bowl is a huge win, but it also means we’ll need some help from our football families.
For each home game, Friends of Grant Football is responsible for providing the chain crew on the field. We also need a few parent volunteers after each game to help make sure the new bleachers are properly locked up and secured.
You can sign up for either the chain crew or bleacher lock-up here:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1-SBHRxRh8UAUhGc_RnZStBb3ocsP7oN2KebQ8Vs69Hw/edit?usp=drivesdk
Thank you in advance for pitching in. These are small but important jobs that help make it possible for our kids to play their home games at Grant Bowl!
Upcoming Grant Football Family Events
Grant High School Fall Sport Team Meeting
Monday, August 24
Run of Show:
6:30 p.m. – Auditorium
All Parents & Athletes
7:15 p.m. – Sport-Specific Meetings
● Football: Auditorium
● Cross Country: Upper Commons
● Boys Soccer: South Forum
● Girls Soccer: North Forum
● Volleyball: Gym (5:30 p.m.)
GFB Dad/Grandad/Uncle Cookout
Sunday, August 30
1:00–4:00 p.m.
4040 NE 29th Ave.
All Grant Football dads, grandads and uncles are invited to come hang out and connect before the season gets rolling.
A sliding-scale donation of $25–$50 is suggested, with 100% of your donation going directly to Friends of Grant Football.
Please RSVP by emailing greggrhale@gmail.com and donations can be made here https://www.friendsofgrantfootball.com/give
Football Moms & Grandmothers Brunch
Sunday, August 30
11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
2204 NE 26th Ave.
All football moms and grandmothers are warmly invited for champagne, delicious brunch food, and a chance to connect with other women in our football community. We’re also excited that Principal McGee will be making a guest appearance!
A sliding-scale donation of $25–$50 is suggested, with 100% of your donation going directly to Friends of Grant Football. Please RSVP by making your donation here: https://www.friendsofgrantfootball.com/give
A huge thank you to Katie and Gregg for opening their homes and hosting!
Grant Lights Flip at the Soccer Game
Tuesday, September 1
Grant Bowl
This is a huge moment for our entire community: the lights at Grant Bowl are coming back on! Please join us at the soccer game to show your support for Grant Soccer and celebrate this exciting milestone together. We need as many people as possible there to cheer on the soccer team, support Grant Athletics, and experience the lights coming back on at Grant Bowl.
A Note From Our New Fundraising Team
We’re also excited to welcome Mike and Maria Moran, who are helping lead our fundraising efforts. They shared the following message with our families:
Hi Grant Football Families and Supporters,
What a great time to be part of Grant Athletics!
We were thrilled to learn that the lights are coming back on at Grant Bowl and all home varsity fall sports will return to Grant this season. This fall, our football team will get to play its home games at home, under the lights, in front of the Grant community.
That feels like something worth celebrating — and a pretty incredible moment to build on.
Our son Charlie is an incoming freshman, and we’ve been incredibly grateful for his experience with Grant Football this summer — especially how welcoming the older players have been. We’ve also been impressed by the preparation, professionalism, and commitment of the coaches, both to the program and to helping young people grow.
We’re excited about the next four years and want to do our part to help Grant Football continue to grow and thrive.
And right now, there is a real need.
As Coach Beck shared, PPS budget challenges mean Grant Football has funding for only five paid coaching positions, with little to no district funding for many of the essentials a strong football program requires.
What are we raising money for?
● Additional coaching support
● Helmets, shoulder pads and other safety equipment
● Uniforms, footballs, decals and replacement equipment
● Hudl and other essential program expenses
● Team meals, the banquet and experiences that strengthen the program
The SNAP fundraiser is an important part of supporting Grant Football, and we hope it’s incredibly successful. But we also have an opportunity to think bigger about how this entire community supports the program — not just for this season, but for its long-term future.
With the lights back on and home games returning to Grant Bowl, this is an especially exciting time to bring more people and businesses into the program.
On game nights, it’s not just parents showing up. Grandparents, extended family, friends, alumni, neighbors and people who simply love Grant come out to support the team. Many of them may be excited to support their player, their neighborhood school, or a program that means something to them.
And think about the businesses all of us already support.
Where do you get coffee? Where do you go for dinner? Who is your dentist, realtor, contractor, financial advisor, insurance agent or neighborhood shop owner?
Grant Football sponsorship can be genuinely valuable for local businesses. Sponsors can receive visibility on the Friends of Grant Football website, banners at home games, and exposure through Grant’s live broadcasts — including logo placement, announcer mentions and video commercials.
How can you help?
● Make a gift directly to Friends of Grant Football.
● Become a business sponsor or connect us with a business you know.
● Invite grandparents, family, alumni and friends to be part of this.
● Ask your employer about matching your gift.
● Explore charitable giving from retirement assets for grandparents and others for whom that may be a good option.
And you don’t have to make the ask. We will. If someone comes to mind, a warm introduction is all we need. We’re happy to have the conversation and take it from there.
Our goal is bigger than one fundraiser or one season. We want to help build a culture of giving around Grant Football that gives these coaches and players the resources they need today — and keeps the program strong for the kids who come next.
The lights are back on. Home games are back at Grant Bowl. There is a lot to be excited about. We hope we can use this moment to rally the entire Grant community around the football program and help build something that will last.
We look forward to announcing new sponsors and sharing more easy ways for everyone to spread the word and get involved.
Thank you for the warm welcome. We’re incredibly excited to be part of what’s happening at Grant.
Go Generals!
Mike & Maria Moran
Questions, introductions or sponsorship inquiries: giving@friendsofgrantfootball.com
There is a lot happening and so much to be excited about. Thank you to everyone who continues to show up, volunteer, donate, advocate, and support our players and coaches. Bringing our home games to Grant Bowl took a community effort, and keeping this program moving forward will too.
We can’t wait to see everyone under the lights at Grant Bowl!
Go Generals!
Friends of Grant Football
Grant Fall Sports Parent Meeting - Monday, August 24th @ 6:30 pm
On Monday, August 24th, Grant will be be holding a Fall Sports Parent Meeting. This will give Principal McGee and Odie Hollingshed III (VP of Athletics) an opportunity to introduce themselves to fall sports families and review some important athletic policies and expectations.
Following the general meeting, there will be break outs into sport-specific meetings in various spaces throughout the building.
Run of Show:
6:30 p.m. – Auditorium
All Parents & Athletes
7:15 p.m. – Sport-Specific Meetings
Football: Auditorium
Cross Country: Upper Commons
Boys Soccer: South Forum
Girls Soccer: North Forum
Volleyball: Gym (5:30pm)
Thank you, and we look forward to seeing everyone on Monday!
Generals are Coming Home
🏟️ HOME GAMES ARE AT GRANT BOWL THIS SEASON! 🏟️
We’re excited to share that all home games have officially been moved to Grant Bowl this year! With this great news, the planned protest has been called off.
A huge thank you to the PIL and Grant High School leadership teams for listening, working together, and making this happen. We truly appreciate everyone who helped get us to this point.
Now it’s time to celebrate! 🎉 We can’t wait to see everyone at Grant Bowl on 9/1 when the lights are officially turned on! 💡⚽
See you under the lights! 🙌
Turn on the Lights and Bring All Grant Teams Home
Grant Football Families,
We wanted to share an important update with our football community. There have been a lot of conversations happening around bringing Grant football home games back home to Grant, and we want to make sure every family has the facts and knows how they can help.
Here’s where things stand:
1. The lights are ready.
The new lights are ready to be turned on. Right now, they are being held until the planned September 1 lighting ceremony.
2. Funding is available to bring football games home.
Funding has been identified for the temporary infrastructure needed to support home football games at Grant. However, the move is currently being blocked at the district level.
3. What can you do? Show up Tuesday.
All Grant sports are coming together for an ALL-GRANT PROTEST this Tuesday, August 18, from 3:30–7:00 PM.
This is bigger than football. This is an incredible show of support from across the Grant community for bringing all of our teams home. We need football families to show up alongside our fellow Grant athletes, coaches, parents, and supporters.
You can also make your voice heard by emailing (template below) the PPS Superintendent, PPS School Board, and PIL leadership and asking them to support bringing Grant football home.
4. We need everyone’s support.
The lights are ready. Funding for the temporary infrastructure is available. Our community is ready.
There is no reason our kids shouldn’t have the opportunity to play on their home field, in front of their classmates, families, and community.
Grant athletes deserve a true home-field experience.
Let’s bring our kids home. Let’s bring Friday Night Lights back to Grant.
Please show up Tuesday, spread the word, and make your voice heard.
If you have any questions please reach out to Kimmy Scarpine at Kimmyscarpine@gmail.com 503-890-7304
BRING OUR KIDS HOME!
Template email:
Dear PPS and PIL Leadership,
My name is [NAME], and I am a [Grant parent/student/alumni/community member]. I’m writing to ask for your support on two important issues for Grant student-athletes:
1. Turn on the lights now for all Grant sports.
The new lights at Grant are ready. Our athletes are practicing and competing now, and we are asking that the lights be made available starting immediately rather than waiting until the September 1 lighting ceremony.
These lights were built for our students and our community. If they are operational and ready to use, our teams should be able to benefit from them today.
2. Bring Grant football home.
We are also asking PPS and PIL to allow Grant football to play its home games at Grant High School. We understand that funding is available for the temporary infrastructure necessary to host football games on campus.
If the lights are ready and the funding is available, what is preventing our kids from playing at home?
This is bigger than football. Home games and access to the lights benefit athletes across Grant and create opportunities for students, families, alumni, and neighbors to come together as one community.
The tremendous support we’ve already seen demonstrates how much this matters. Families and athletes across all Grant sports are standing together because every Grant athlete deserves the opportunity to practice and compete at home.
We respectfully ask PPS and PIL leadership to:
Turn on the Grant lights immediately and make them available to all sports.
Remove the remaining barriers preventing Grant football from playing home games at Grant.
The lights are ready. The funding is available. The community is ready.
It’s time to turn on the lights and bring our kids home.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Grant Football - Parent/Guardian/Player Updates & Reminders
A message from Coach Beck:
Football officially starts on Monday. I expect all players to be cleared on Arbiter through the Grant Athletic department. Practices are 4-6 M-F. They should not miss practice for a physical or for not being cleared.
Saturday the 22nd is our annual scrimmage at 10 a.m. and Individual/Team pictures at 1 p.m. A good time to see what we have been working on.
Yes...we have practice on Labor Day September 7th at 4 p.m.
I do not expect players to miss practices.
Please be diligent and do the best you can on our fundraising efforts.
All parents are invited to a meet-greet at the Hi-Top Tavern on Thursday August 20th from 7-8:30 p.m. Kindly RSVP if you plan to attend.
Thank you for allowing us to work with your player(s)!
Coach John Beck
jbeck@pps.net
Grant Football Summer Update
Sponsorship
We need your help securing more sponsors for the team! Kimmy Scarpine is leading this effort and would welcome your ideas, support, and connections to local businesses that may be interested in partnering with Grant Football. Current sponsorship opportunities are listed on the Sponsorships page of the Friends of Grant Football website. We’re very open to new and creative ideas on how to expose your business/brand to our awesome community.
For more information, please email Kimmy at kimmyscarpine@gmail.com.
Meet the Coaches Social Event
Coach Beck invites all parents, guardians, and supporters of Grant High School football players to meet the coaching staff, ask questions, hear about plans for the upcoming season, and connect with our football community.
Thursday, August 20
7:00–8:30 PM
Hi-Top Tavern
5015 NE Fremont Street, Portland
We’ve reserved the back patio and please RSVP
Volunteer Support
Interested in helping the team this season? We’d love and need your support! Please complete our short 2026 Football Support Sign-Up so we can connect you with a volunteer opportunity that fits your availability and interests.
A word from Coach Beck
Fundraising Clarity
As I stated in an earlier correspondence, our district is facing a terrible financial hardship. I would like to break it down as best I can given we now have a zero budget. And THANK YOU to the parents and grandparents who have already generously donated.
Our main source of income for Grant Football has been our Moda center parking lot fundraiser. The company we had a partnership with has sold it to a non-profit organization. Our Friends of Grant Football President, Stephanie Anitpov, will be negotiating with the new company to hopefully continue our partnership and maintain our revenue stream. If the new owners of the parking lot do not want to continue working with us, then we must transition to other forms of fundraising.
Budget & Financial Concerns
We have had four assistant coaching stipends cut by the district, and given a coach's experience, could total $29,000 for in-season stipends.
We have 12 coaches on staff. With five paid positions by the district that leaves us having to fund seven coaches for a total of approximately $25,000 to $50,000.
Because of a continuing shrinking district budget we are also required by the OSAA (for the last 5 years) to fund our HUDL (game film exchange engine) at a cost of $2,500.
We are also searching for a varsity game filmer. This position is paid $750-$1,000 for the season. Training and equipment provided.
We have to order new helmet decals for parents who bought their kids helmets - replace worn out decals, etc. Cost for decals and the #’s on the back: $680.
We paid a social media person last year…but have moved that position in-house to save cost.
We need to recondition our head sets (communication system) for $6-8,000 (which is cheaper than buying a new set) since we have inherited ones that do not work properly…but I did not put that cost in the budget because I worry about other costs. We will just make do like we did the previous year.
I did not order 9 new helmets…even though we could have gotten a great deal and far less than the $4-500 it costs for purchase. However…if next year we are at a likely zero budget again…this is a need.
I did not order any new footballs…we have a few leftover from last year…but most programs order approximately 10-12 synthetic footballs and 8 leather game balls a year….approximate cost at $1,000 - $1,200.
I also did not budget for team meals and snacks…or Senior Night…or year end banquet awards - food - coaches professional development - emergency needed equipment or clothing - etc.
The essential needs moving forward for our program equate to approximately $35,000. If we have a successful SNAP raise and if our business partners take advantage of various sponsorship opportunities, we hope to add back some of the items listed above…budget permitting.
If you feel you can help to solve our budget shortfall situation in any capacity, please reach out: jbeck@pps.net or admin@friendsofgrantfootball.com
Respectively,
Coach John Beck
Summer Update From Coach Beck
This will be lengthy…my apologies.
News: Heading into our last week of July before the mandated one week off for Moratorium the players and coaches sure have been busy. We started in June with eight non-padded practices and one trip to Bend to participate in a 7-7 tournament against four teams.
We finished June with one week of padded practices for the state All-Star game (Les Schwab Bowl). We were very proud that we had seven players and two coaches selected to participate in this illustrious event. This is the most Grant High School players chosen to participate in the game’s history. Deckard Hale (LB) was chosen as Captain for the second consecutive time and was also selected as a “Player of the Game”. This was Deckard’s third consecutive time being selected to play. All of our players played very well. (Dontae Stidum (second time selected) - Orion Scarpine - Conor Segel - Elijah Green - Nick Normington - RJ Jeter). It was great to see and hear from Grant High School and Les Schwab Bowl alum - Marcus Harris (Tennessee Titans) during the week.
Since that busy start to our upcoming season in June…July has been a whirlwind of activities. In July we have had 12 days of workouts (starting at McDaniel High School at 7:30 a.m ... .and then finishing with non-padded practices at Grant High School at 11 a.m.)...with 4 more to go this week of July (total of 16). Besides the speed-strength workouts and practices….we have also participated in six evenings of 7-7 events against twelve teams…with two upcoming days this week vs. West Linn - Clackamas and Beaverton. As well as the 7-7 work we had seven lineman and three coaches participate in the Metro Area Lineman Challenge in Hillsboro with Jack Hayes placing 4th in his division.
Moratorium Week (Players and Coaches - no workouts): 7-24 - 8-2
August: In August we have several events and continued workouts and practices on the schedule as well as the start to our season:
Workouts-Practices continue starting at McDaniel HS at 7:30 a.m. August 3rd-6th and finishing at Grant HS at 11 a.m.
Youth Football Camp for rising 3rd grade through 8th grade. Monday - Wednesday (August 3-5th). 5:30-7 p.m. You can register on the youth page on the FOGF website or walk up to register. Cost is $35.00
Workouts continue at McDaniel the week of Monday August 10th - Thursday August 13th. However…it will be just speed-strength work. Players will be finished at approximately 9:15 a.m.
Training Camp starts the evening of Monday August 10th in the Bowl at 5:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. (Olympic Team Competition begins) through Friday August 14th.
ALL PLAYERS must be registered on “Arbitar” - with Grant HS Athletic Department by Monday August 17th to start official OSAA practices. Complete registration info can be found here.
Equipment issues will be as soon as we are allowed back into the High School building. We have not been given a date for that yet.
Official start to the OSAA season begins on Monday August 17th. Practices for the week in the Bowl from 4-6:30 p.m. Practices this week will go M-F.
Scrimmage - Team and Individual pictures will be held at Grant HS on Saturday August 22nd at 10 a.m. We should be finished by approximately 1:30 p.m.
Practices the week of August 24-27th (4-6:15 p.m.).
Friday August 25th - Varsity and JV Jamboree at Sunset HS - TBD.
Financial: Our district is allotting us a total of five paid positions due to PPS budget issues. This district stipend covers a little of the coaches time in-season. Football coaches, unlike other sports, do not get paid in the off-season or for any time in training or 7-7 etc. in the summer. All of our coaches are at all of our workouts and practices. So this stipend shortfall increases the urgency for fundraising. I am confident that our board under the direction and leadership of President Stephanie Antipov are working extremely hard in soliciting businesses for commercial advertising, commercials, etc. If you know of any business that would like to participate please let one of our board members or myself know so they can follow up. All donations are tax-deductible.
With that…the board has given permission for us to do a team fundraiser. We are looking into alternative forms of advertising and apps in the future…but because of our short window we will be doing the SNAP fundraiser. This fundraiser really stretches families with multiple players and student-athletes who participate in more than one sport. We are sympathetic to that issue…especially being a parent of high level athletes myself. Sometimes a family must choose between sports…or one child gets to do a Snap fundraiser for one sport and the other child does one for a different sport. However….football is the most expensive sport to participate in. Helmets are $450-600+....shoulder pads…etc. It is what it is. The district has made it clear that there is little to no funds available for equipment, uniforms etc. until monetary issues get rectified. Buying new helmets…decals…replacement items…footballs, paying for our essential and required HUDL (film) account, etc. is a little daunting. I am nervous about funds. (I am not even talking about fun things for kids…team meals…banquet…etc).
The good news is…we have gotten two donations in the last week or so. 🙂
Thank you: Enough of the stress of money. I would like to acknowledge some huge thank you’s!
Geno Zaharie - Geno (board member) has built our new practice command center. It is state of the art…industrial quality sound system (donated)…a practice timer on one side and a Big Screen TV on the other to view practice drone film on the field…all the bells and whistles…it makes practicing very efficient and is so appreciated!!!
Geno also updates the FOGF website and calendar…produces commercials for our Live-Stream broadcasts…helps produce Live Stream with fellow board member Kurt Borchadt…among numerous other activities and projects. All to help our young student-athletes excel and be recognized.
Scott Caseras and Rayleen Anderson - Both have been putting in the hours getting our Youth Program up to speed and running efficiently. Their hard work and dedication to Grant Football does not go unnoticed and is very appreciated!
Megan Schlicker-Annen - Does all the work behind the scenes at school and helps as needed with the Grant Youth Board.
I know this letter was lengthy…thank you for your time and attention. If there are things I can help with…please email me: jbeck@pps.net.
See everyone either at the Jamboree or at our first official game of the season at Lincoln High School on Friday September 4th at 7 p.m.
John Beck
Grant Football News & Important Summer Workout Update
Hi everyone! We wanted to share an important update regarding summer football workouts. Due to asbestos abatement work at Grant High School, the football program has had to adjust its summer schedule. Players will begin each day at McDaniel High School from 7:30–9:00 a.m. for speed and strength training, then transition to Grant High School for non-padded football practice until approximately 11:15 a.m. Unfortunately, transportation between the two schools will not be provided, although the MAX is available for those who use public transit. We understand this creates an added challenge for many families, and we appreciate your patience and flexibility as the coaching staff works through these temporary facility changes.
Please reach out to Coach Beck at jbeck@pps.net if you have any questions.
Happy kick-off to summer Grant General Army. Prep for the 2026 fall season is well under way. The Les Schwab Bowl featuring seven Grant players, a string of 7 on 7 tournaments, and a Ridell helmet scanning session lead off a jam pact summer.
7 Grant football players have been selected to participate in the 2026 Les Schwab Bowl. Let’s show our support by securing tickets now! Please use the individual player promo codes within the player cards/images below to score a discount on your tickets at checkout. Visit the Les Schwab Bowl website for tickets. Congratulation players!
7 on 7 tournaments against various programs have been secured throughout late June and July. Please visit the Team Calendar for dates/times.
For players who are participating in Riddell’s Helmet Head Scanning/Fitting, Ridell will be onsite at Grant on June 29th during Grant’s 7:30am summer workout session.
For more information about this opportunity to purchase/secure a personal helmet, please reach out to Coach Beck.
John J. Beck
Cell: 541-414-8803
2026 Grant Football Sponsorship Opportunities
The 2026 season is fast approaching and we’re securing Friends of Grant Football Web and Live Stream sponsorships for both individuals and organizations. Sponsorship packages range from company logos/links hosted on www.friendsofgrantfootball.com to in-season Live Stream commercials/promotional videos on game nights! Sponsoring Generals Football is a great way to connect with the program, families, and friends who make Grant Football possible. 2026 Grant Football Sponsorships are managed by Friends of Grant Football, a 501(c)(3) organization.
2026 Grant Football Sponsorship Levels start at $250 (Bronze) and step to Sliver which include home-game on-field passes and lastly, Gold which additionally include home game advertising banners. Both Sliver and Gold sponsorship levels are eligible for our impactful Video Package Supplement that bring your business/brand direct to our live stream audience during Friday Night Lights!
The Video Package Supplement offered to Silver and Gold sponsors extend your reach during the 2026 season on our Live Stream broadcast. The live broadcast is hosted on both Friends of Grant Football.com and on Facebook Live. Package offerings include per-game title sponsorships, Coaches Corner pre-game sponsorships, logo overlay/announcer sound-bites, and 15 and 30 second video commercial creation and airing. We can also roll pre-produced videos that you may already have. The Video Packages fill quickly so please reach out soon if interested.
For more information and/or if you would like to discuss the various 2026 sponsorship options, please email admin@friendsofgrantfootball.com and we’ll reach out.
Ready to Become a Sponsor or Purchase an Advertising Package?
Please complete the sponsorship/advertising sign-up form:
Know a Potential Sponsor or Donor?
If you have a business contact, community partner, or individual who may be interested in supporting our program, please share their information using the form below. A member of our board will follow up directly:
Thanks for your consideration and please share with any individual or business who may have an interest in joining the Generals Army!
Respectfully,
Friends of Grant Football
High School Football Parent Meeting – Monday 6/8 at 6:30 PM
Dear Parents and Guardians,
We would like to invite all parents of incoming 9th–12th grade players to attend our upcoming parent meeting on Monday 6/8 at 6:30 PM in the Upper Commons.
This meeting will provide an overview of the upcoming season, including important dates, program expectations, communication plans, and opportunities to ask questions as we prepare for the year ahead.
We encourage at least one parent or guardian from each family to attend.
We look forward to seeing you on Monday and kicking off a great season together!
Grant Football: Summer & Fall Program Updates
Hello Grant Football Families,
As we wrap up spring football activities and begin looking ahead to summer and fall, Coach Beck has shared several important updates regarding workouts, team events, player recognition, and upcoming opportunities. Please take a few minutes to review the information below so you can mark your calendars and stay informed about what’s ahead for the Grant Football program.
Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to a great offseason and an exciting fall season!
1. The lighting of the Bowl has been postponed until the fall. Stay tuned for more information.
2. Spring Practice for High School players and any incoming freshmen who would like to participate (Not required for incoming freshmen) - non padded - starts on Monday June 1st in the Grant Bowl at 4 p.m. PLEASE SEE FOGF calendar for all football activities for spring - summer and fall.
3. Saturday June 6th at 9 a.m. there will be a youth flag football game and pancake breakfast in the Bowl for the Alameda Elementary youth.
4. There will be a very small group traveling to Bend on Sunday June 7th for a 7-7 tournament.
5. There were 7 Grant Football players chosen to play in this summer's (June 27th) Les Schwab Bowl All-Star Game:
Deckard Hale / Nick Normington / Elijah Green / Conor Segel / Orion Scarpine / Dontae Stidum / RJ Jeter.
6. There may be a change back to Grant for summer workouts-practices. Workouts-practices for all incoming freshmen through rising seniors will start at either 7 or 7:30 a.m. Monday June 29th depending on workout-practice location. Stay tuned for the final location and time. Summer workouts-practices are STRONGLY encouraged!!! Communicate absences. Work and family vacations are urged and encouraged to not interfere with football activities.
7. Parent Meeting time and location information coming soon.
8. Players and parents are encouraged to checkout the Grant Football instagram.
9. We have 6 Grant Football players participating in this weekend's state track meet at Hayward Field on the U of O campus: Nick Normington - Deckard Hale - RJ Jeter - Robert Billbrew - Silas Wise - Sit Abdalle. Good Luck Generals!
10. If any player or parent has any questions...please contact Coach Beck (jbeck@pps.net).
Incoming Freshman/New Player Orientation tomorrow 5/7
Incoming Freshman/New Player Orientation
On May 7th at 6:00 pm, please join us behind the Grant Baseball Field backstop under the Grant “Go Blue” Tent to meet the Football coaches/players, tour the facilities, ask questions, enjoy some pizza, and cheer on the Grant Baseball Team who will be playing rival Franklin. Parents are welcome too!
Grant Football Spring Update
The Grant Football team has been driving hard in winter workouts preparing for the 2026 season. The 2026 game schedule has been announced, spring workouts are locked in on the calendar, and the team is excited for summer activities that will lead us to kick-off on September 4th.
2026 Grant Football Varsity Schedule
The 2026 varsity schedule is set and we look forward to the General Army packing the house! Home games will played at McDaniel High School with the exception of Grant vs. Benson which will take place locally at Grant Bowl!
Player Registration
Registration is now open for players wishing to participate in Grant Football. 2026 Grant Football Registration information is available here.
Incoming Freshman/New Player Orientation
On May 7th at 6:00 pm, please join us behind the Grant Baseball Field backstop under the Grant “Go Blue” Tent to meet the Football coaches/players, tour the facilities, ask questions, enjoy some pizza, and cheer on the Grant Baseball Team who will be playing rival Franklin. Parents are welcome too!
Grant Feeder School Visits / Future Grant Generals
Our most sincere thank you to Irvington Elementary School for allowing Grant Football to come visit with kids and teachers to expose the game of football and the Grant Football program. Our group of players were delighted to sign autographs, chat with kids, and take pictures. The staff at Irvington were super accommodating as the Grant Football organization shared information about the team and youth football opportunities. Kids interested in learning more took home a flyer that directed Parents/Guardians to fill out a Grant Youth Football Interest Form. The interest form will allow for future communications/notifications about youth activities and when Grant Youth Football enrollment opens this summer.
Within the coming weeks, the Grant Football Program will be visiting the following schools:
April 21st - Beverly Cleary Middle School
April 23rd - Tubman Middle School
April 27th - Beaumont Middle School
Don’t see your favorite Grant feeder school on the list? If so, please email Coach John Beck (jbeck@pps.net) with the name of the school and he’ll reach out to the school’s Administration to arrange an onsite visit. Your sponsorship/support is very welcomed to make sure every feeder school in our backyard has this opportunity.
Spring/Summer/Fall Schedule
For a complete view of all upcoming Grant Football activities inclusive of workouts, practices, competitions, and events, please bookmark our Team Calendar. The calendar is also readily available on the Friends of Grant Football Team Calendar web page.
Grant Football Livestream
This season, Grant Football games will be streamed live to the Friends of Grant Football Facebook Page as well as to the Grant Sports Network page. Live streaming of Grant Football games are funded by private/corporate sponsors who in return, receive promotional opportunities during the stream as well as brand/logo placement on the Friends of Grant Football website. If you have an interest in sponsoring Grant Football this season, please email admin@friendsofgrantfootball.com and we’ll send you the 2026 Grant Football Sponsorship Prospectus managed by Friends of Grant Football, a 501(c)(3) organization. As always, thank you in advance for your support and please take advantage of this tax-exempt opportunity!
Grant Football Livestream Production Support
If you or others you know have an interest in live sports production and would like to participate in volunteer broadcasting our 9 game season, please reach out! We’re looking for help as it's a great way to experience the game and get closer to the team. No experience necessary and hands-on training will be provided later this summer.
Looking to build a sub-roster for the following roles:
Camera Person
Production Director
Production Assistant
On-Air Announcer
Color Commentator
Helping Hands Person
If interested, please send an email to admin@friendsofgrantfootball.com with your contact information and we’ll reach out!
Lights, lights lights!
It’s happening. Portland Public Schools put out this Facebook post on Thursday, April 16th:
Exciting news at Grant Bowl! After preparing utilities and the site this week, light poles will be installed next week. Safety is our top priority! There will be no access to the field starting Monday, April 20 for about a week during installation. Do not cross barriers or fences into the active work zone. It’s unsafe and can cause expensive project delays!
Final work to make the lights operational will continue through mid-May. The field will be open for planned athletic events. Schedules are subject to change.
Thank you for your continued support of Grant Football and subscribing to Friends of Grant Football emails. Please feel free to forward this email to others who can join the Friends of Grant Football movement by visiting the Friends of Grant Football website. Have a wonderful spring season and Go Generals!
Thankful to Von Arx Family Foundation, Winter and Spring Early Morning Workouts & Congratulations to Deckard Hale
We want to extend a huge thank you to the Von Arx Family Foundation for their incredibly generous $10,000 donation in support of Grant Football. 🙌
Their contribution directly helps provide our athletes with the resources, equipment, and opportunities they deserve, and we are deeply grateful for their commitment to our program and community.
Reminder: Tomorrow is the last day in 2025 to get your donations in and have them count for this tax year. If you’ve been meaning to give, now’s the moment, every dollar makes a real impact for our kids.
Winter and Spring Early Morning Workouts
Early Morning Workouts for the Winter and Spring for all players not enrolled in a Grant Speed-Strength Class begin Monday January 12th from 6:45-7:50 am. Workouts are Monday-Tuesday-Thursday-Friday unless there is no school. All eligible and new players are expected to attend. (If an issue or concern- please contact Coach Beck = jbeck@pps.net)
*Year round calendar will be out soon once colleges and other related entities put out applicable information.
*Returning players do not forget to see Coach Beck for your evaluation and to submit your Goal Setting forms if you have not done so already.
T.A.D.D.
Congratulations to Junior Linebacker - Deckard Hale. OSAA Honorable Mention All-State for the 2025
Reminder: Grant Football End-of-Season Banquet – Tomorrow
Hi everyone,
Quick reminder that our end-of-season football banquet is tomorrow, Sunday, December 7th at 6:00 p.m. in the Upper Commons at Grant High School.
We’ll celebrate our players, coaches, and community, share some food, and hand out awards.
Looking forward to seeing you there! 🏈💙
2025 Grant Football Awards – Event Details & Potluck
Dear Parents, Players and Community Supporters,
We would like to invite you to the 2025 Football Awards on Sunday December 7th at 6 p.m. in the Upper Commons at Grant High School.
Attire: Casual
What will be provided: Cups - Utensils - Napkins - Plates - Beverages - Pizza
Please bring the following that corresponds to your last name:
A-F: Salad / Rolls
G-N: Casserole or something savory
O-Z: Dessert
Our Booster Club board worked extremely hard to try to find a venue outside of campus to hold the awards, but with the increased numbers of players and being close to the holidays - it just wasn’t possible - especially with the venues we were able to find being extremely expensive and having to use their catering services.
So we will keep the awards this year in the same venue and format that has been done the last three years. We will try to have food and awards completed by 7:30 p.m.