All-State Players

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Team Awards:

Honorable Mention Academic All State 2014

Bill Eberhart Class of 1979

Runningback

1977 Honorable Mention All-State

1978 First Team All-State

DeOn'tae Pannell Class of 2008

Offensive Lineman

6'5 300 LBS

2007 Dream Team All State

Bill Eberhart was a three year starter on the varsity from 1976-1978. He would be one of three captains of the 1978 season where the Falcons went 9-0 and earned their first playoff birth against Brother Rice. While playing at Groves, he would lead the Falcons to League Championships in 1977 & 78 and an 18-10 record in his three years on varsity. He currently holds the most rushing yards in a career with 2826 yards, most carries in a career with 510, and his 45 rushing TDs in his career are the most of any Falcon football player. After high school, Eberhart went on to play at Hillsdale College.

DeOn'tae Pannell "D'Block" was the first and is the only Groves football player to be named to the "Dream Team All State Team". D'Block played three years of varsity football. He started on the offensive line for all three years and played defensive tackle as a senior. D'Block was a dominating run blocker and excellent pass blocker. He was recruited by most of the Big Ten, All of the MAC schools and other schools around the nation. After high school he went to play at Penn State University. He lettered all four years, played on a Big Ten Championship team, played in the Rose Bowl, Citrus Bowl, Outback Bowl, and Ticket City Bowl. After college, Pannell was one of the last cuts from the New Orleans Saints. He also worked at Groves in the special education department as well coached defensive backs and receivers for the Varsity team from 2012-14. He is currently coaching football at Peru State University in Nebraska.

Ross Williams Class of 2014

Running Back

5'11 175LBS

2012 Honorable Mention All State

2013 First Team All State

Brian Plachta Class of 1979

Lineman

1978 First Team All State

Ross Williams played three years of varsity football at Groves. While at Groves, the Falcons went 15-14, winning one league title, and playing in two playoff games. Williams started at free safety as a sophomore and moved to runningback as a junior and senior. During his junior year, Williams rushed for 1,051 yards on 153 carries and 8 TD's. As a senior, he rushed for 1,381 yards on 125 yards and 16 TD's. Williams was also all state in track as a junior and senior and was state champ in the 110 hurdles as a junior.Williams owns schools records for Best Average Per Carry Career 8.7 yards ('11-13), Best Average Per Carry Season 11yds per carry ('13).He is also in the top 10 for the following records; Most Yards Rushing in a Career: 3rd with 2432 Yards ('11-13) Most Yards Rushing in a Season: 2nd with 1,381 ('13), 7th with 1,051 ('12); Most Yards Rushing a Game: 7th with 248 (Avondale '13), 9th with 232 (Hazel Park '12), 9th with 232 (Bloomfield Hills '13); Most Carries in a Season: 7th with 153 ('12); Most Carries in a Career: 4th with 279 ('11-13)

Most Rushing TDs in a Career: 4th with 24 ('11-13), Most Rushing TDs in a Season: 5th with 16 ('13), Most Rushing TDs in a Game: 4th with 4 (Avondale '13), Longest TD Run: 5th - 82 Yards (Royal Oak '13), 6th - 80 Yards (Royal Oak '12) After high school, Williams would play for Eastern Michigan University.

John Stevens Class of 2015

Offensive Lineman

6'0 245 LBS

2014 First Team All State

Doug Ziegenbein Class of 1981

Defensive Tackle

1980 - 1st Team All State

Dewey Benson - Class of 1981

Defensive Tackle

1980 - Honorable Mention All State

John Stevens played three years of varsity football. While playing for Groves, the Falcons went 16-14, with two playoff appearances including winning the first playoff game against Berkley in 2014. During Stevens junior and senior, the Falcons played for the league championship two times. Stevens was a key blocker as a sophomore and junior for Ross Williams' All-State campaigns. As a senior he was blocking for CJ Boswell, as Boswell rushed for 1285 yards including a 324 yard performance again Avondale in 2014. Stevens was also a key blocker in the passing game, keeping defensive players off QB Zach VanFaussien. With the blocking of Stevens, VanFaussien was able to break just about every single season and career passing record. Stevens was known for his toughness and his involvement in different programs at school. Stevens goes down in the top 15 for most games played as a Falcon with 30.

CJ Boswell Class of 2016

Defensive Back/Running Back

6'0 185 LBS

2015 First Team All State

Ken Granader - Class of 1981

Linebacker

1980 - Honorable Mention All State

CJ Boswell was a two year starter for the Falcons. During his Junior, he started at Defensive back then moved to running back after five games because of an injury to the starter. Boswell would excel in the backfield during his junior and senior year. As a junior he rushed for 1,285 yards on 141 carries. The highlight of his junior year was setting a new school record for rushing yards in a game with 324 yards against Avondale high school. Boswell was hurt most of his senior year but was able to manage to pick up another 500 yards on the ground giving him 1,715 yards in his career. During Boswell's, two year varsity stint, the Falcons went 17-5 including a 9-0 season as a senior, two playoff berths, two playoff victories and the Falcons played for the District title in both his junior and senior years. Boswell is ranked as one of the top rushers in the history of Groves. He is in the top ten in the following rushing categories: Most Yards Rushing in a Career (1,715), Most Yards Rushing in a Season (1,285), Most Yards Rushing in a Game (324), Most Carries in a Career (222), Most Carries in a season (141), Most Rushing TDs in a career (19), Most Rushing TDs in a season (15), Best Average Per Carry in a career (7.7), Best Average Per Carry in a Season (9.1), Longest TD Reception (96 Yards from Zach VanFaussien against Farmington).

Ian Rice Class of 2016

Linebacker

5'11 185 LBS

2015 Honorable Mention All State

Walt Hulse - Class of 1982

Defensive Back

1981 - Honorable Mention All State

Joe Livingway Class of 1982

Offensive Line

1981 - Honorable Mention All State

Ian Rice Played 2 years of varsity football at Groves. During his 2 years, the Falcons would go 17-5 including an undefeated regular season and a 10 win season in 2015. He would lead the Falcons to back to back state playoff appearances, a league championship, and two playoff wins. During his senior season, Ian would collect 88 tackles, 12 tackles for loss and 2 fumble recoveries. Ernest Allen Class of 2017

Runningback

5'10 205 LBS

2015 Honorable Mention All State

2016 Honorable Mention All State

Bob Sandercock Class of 1983

Running Back

1982 - Honorable Mention All State

Ernest Allen was a 3 year starter on the Varsity and captain during his senior year. He is one of a few Falcons who have been selected All-State two years in a row. During his Junior year, Allen rushed for 826 yards on 129 carries and scored 17 touchdowns. As a senior, Allen rushed for 963 yards on 193 carries and 11 Touchdowns. Allen stands in the top 10 ten in the following Groves Football Records: Most Yards Rushing in a career (2280 Yds), Most Carries in a season (193, 2016), Most yards Rushing in a season (965, 2016), Most Rushing TDS in a career (35), Most Rushing TDS in a season (17, 2017), Most Carries in a Career (383), and Best Average Per Carry Season (6.5 yds, 2015). During his three years at Groves, the Falcons would play in 35 football games with a record of 28-7, 3 playoff appearances, 5 playoff wins and 2 league titles. Allen played his entire senior year on a torn ACL without missing a game.

Brady Anderson Class of 2017

Offensive Line

6'0 225 LBS

2015 First Team All State

2016 Honorable Mention All State

Bob Sandercock was a two year starter for Groves at Running back. During his senior year he rushed for 992 yards on 158 carries and gained 265 yards in receiving. One of the many highlights of his season was setting a school record for rushing yards in a game with 255 yards on 21 carries in a 21-16 upset of Rochester Adams. That record would remain a school record until 2003. Besides being honorable mention all state, he was first team all league, all area, all metro north and all county. He would rush for 1,357 yards in his varsity career. He is currently in the top ten in the record books for the following categories: Most yards rushing in a career (1, 357), Most Yards Rushing in a season (992), and Most yards rushing in a game (255). After high school, Bob would go on to play at Central Michigan.

Tim Morris Class of 1989

Linebacker

1988 - Honorable Mention All-State

Tim Morris played varsity for Groves from 1986-1988. While at Groves he played fullback and inside linebacker. Morris would lead Groves to a 5-4 record as a senior. After high school Morris went on to play at Wayne State University.

Travis Arbogast Class of 1994

Tight End

6'4 225Lbs

1992 First Team All-State

Brady Anderson was a three year starter on the offensive line on teams that won 2 league championships, 5 playoff games, a district championship and a regional championship. He was a captain his senior year. His junior year he was the only returning starter on the offensive line for a team that went 9-0 during the regular season and beat Farmington Harrison in the first playoff game before losing in the district final. Brady was both an extremely physical player at 6'1" and 240 pounds and at the same time very athletic. He knew how to use body position and leverage to knock people off the line of scrimmage and at the same time was athletic enough to pull, get out in front of screens, and get downfield to make touchdown blocks. He was a very smart player who understood defenses and the calls and adjustments that were necessary to be successful. He was an outstanding leader and set an example for the other lineman to follow. During his career, Anderson played in 35 varsity football games in three years with a record of 28-7.

Ryan Flaherty Class of 2017

Defensive Back

6'2 205 LBS

2016 Second Team All State

Travis Arbogast was a two year varsity starter on both sides of the ball for the Falcons in 1992 and 1993. He was captain of the 1993 Groves team that ended a 10 game losing streak and won 3 games. (Most since 1988). He was all league, all area, and all metro/north team selection in 1992 and 1993. During his all-state campaign in 1992, he had 56 receptions for 794 yards in 9 games. He currently holds records for Most Yards Receiving in a career (1031), Most receptions in a career (81), Most receptions in a season (56) and Most receptions in a game (12 vs Rochester Adams 1992).

After high school, Arbogast went on to play tight end for three years at the University of Pennsylvania and was a reliever on the baseball team for all four years.

Morgan Korous Class of 1994

Offensive Lineman

6'4 245 LBS

1993 First Team All State

Morgan Korous was a two year starter for the Falcons in the early 90's. He was a key part in ending a 10 game losing streak for the Falcons in 1993. He anchored the offensive line during 1993, helping the Falcons score 117 points in the tough Metro-Suburban league. He also played defensive for the Falcons, moving from defensive end to inside linebacker as a senior. He led the Falcons with 87 tackles, had one interception and one sack. Korous would go on to play for a year at Eastern Michigan University.

Brian Hafner Class of 1996

Linebacker

6'1 210 LBS

1995 Honorable Mention All State

Ryan Flaherty was a 3 year starter on the Varsity and a Captain as a senior. Flaherty locked down the free safety spot for three years. He was a leader on the defense as he made all the calls for the secondary. During his senior year, Flaherty collected 60 tackles, 5 interceptions, and one fumble recovery. During his 3 year Varsity career, the Falcons would play in 35 games going 28-7 making 3 playoff appearances, winning 5 playoff games, 1 District Championship, 1 Regional Championship, and 2 League Championships. For his career, Flaherty had 206 tackles, 6 interceptions, and 2 fumble recoveries. He is ranked in the Groves Football Records in the top 10 for Most Interceptions in a Season (5, 2016) and Most Interceptions in a career (6, 2014-16). After high school, Flaherty would go on to play at Saginaw Valley State University.

Nate Wagner Class of 2017

Linebacker

6'1 215 LBS

2016 1st Team All State

Nate Wagner was a 3 year varsity starter at Inside Linebacker and a Captain as a senior. For three years, he ran the defense, making all the calls and checks and led some of the top defenses in school history. As a senior Wagner rarely came off the field as he started at Inside Linebacker, Fullback and handled all the punting duties. At fullback he led the way for fellow all-stater Ernest Allen. During his senior year, Wagner was in on 122 tackles, had 2 fumble recoveries, 1 sack, and 4 tackles for loss. For his career, Wagner is second all time at Groves in career tackles with 338. He also ranks in the top 10 for tackles in a season with 122 during his senior year, 98 as a Junior, and 118 as a Sophomore. Wagner is also in the top 10 in punting average for a season with an average of 36.8 yards per punt. Wagner played in 35 varsity football games. During his career at Groves, they went 28-7 making 3 playoff appearances, winning 5 playoff games, 1 District Championship, 1 Regional Championship, and 2 League Championships.

Griffen Best Class of 2018

Defensive Line

6'3 305 LBS

2017 Honorable Mention All State (MHSFCA)

Brian Hafner was the first person to play four years of Varsity football for the Falcons. During his career he helped the Falcons to 13 victories and a league title. He was also part of back to back winning seasons in 1994 and 1995. During his career at Groves he led the team in tackles as a Junior and Senior. He also played tight end and handled the punting duties and kicking duties. Hafner holds the record for the most tackles in a game (23) vs Seaholm in 1994 and is the career leader in tackles with 344. Hafner was also all-state in baseball as a Junior and Senior.

Brian Schaffer Class of 1998

Linebacker/Defensive End

6'3 220 LBS

1997 First Team All State

Griffen Best played 3 years of varsity football and helped the Falcons to some of their most successful seasons. Best would play in 35 Varsity Gameswith a 28-7 record in those games. Best would help the Falcons to three straight league titles, three playoff appearances, three varsity wins over Seaholm, one district and regional championship, and a Semi-final appearance. Best was one of the strongest players to play at Groves (Benched 405 LBS) and was a rock in the middle of the of the defense for Groves during his days for the Falcons. Griffen would continue his football career at Wayne State University.

Chaise Ford Class of 2018

Running Back

5'11 190 LBS

2017 1st Team All State (MHSFCA)

Brian Schaffer played four years of football at Groves including 2 years on the varsity team. While at Groves the Varsity team went 11-9. Schaffer was captain of the 1997 team that won the OAA Divison III crown and qualified for the playoffs (old point system) for the second time in school history. In the opening round of the playoffs, the Falcons faced Detroit Central and won 10-0 on a Saturday afternoon in November. Schaffer also played two years of varsity baseball and basketball. He was captain of both teams during his senior year. Schaffer went on to play four years of football at Colgate.

Blake Dobson Class of 2001

Kicker

6'0 160LBS

1999 - 2nd Team All State

Chaise Ford played 2 years of Varsity football at Groves and helped them to 2 league championships and 2 playoff appearances. As a senior, Chaise was the featured running back and played Outside Linebacker. During his Senior Year, Chaise rushed for 1030 yards on 143 carries and 14 Touchdowns. During the Seaholm game, Chaise broke a school record with a 93 yard TD run. On the defensive side of the ball, Chaise recorded 44 tackles, 2 sacks and one interception. Chaise is in the top ten in the following records at Groves: Rushing Yards in a Season, Rushing Yards in a Career, Most Carries in a Season, Most Rushing TDs in a Season, Most Rushing TDs in a career, Longest TD Run, Best Average per carry in a season, Best Average per carry in a Career. After High School Chaise would attend Ferris State University to play football.

Damonte McCurdy Class of 2019

Defensive Back

5'8 165 LBS

2018 1st Team All State (Detroit Free Press)

2018 Honorable Mention All State (Associated Press)

2018 Honrable Mention All State (Detroit News)

Blake Dobson played three years of Varsity football and handled the team's place kicking duties for all three years. During his all state season, Dobson was 32-40 on extra points and a perfect 9-9 on field goals including hitting a 42 yarder two times. Dobson goes down as the best kicker in the history of Groves Football. He owns or is part of every place kicking record. Most Extra Points Made in a Career: 1st (76-88 '98-00), Most Extra Points in a Season: 1st (32-40 '99) & 2nd (30-33 '98), Most Extra Points Made in a Game: Tied for 5th in three games with 6 PATs made. ('98 vs Dondero, '99 vs Dondero, '99 vs Brandon), Most Field Goals Made in a Career: 1st (14 '98-00), Most Field Goals Made in a Season 1st (9 in 1999) 4th (3 in 1998); Longest Field Goal 1st (42 Yards vs Lathrup '99 and W. Bloomfield '00), 4th (39 Yards vs P. Central '99), 5th, (37 Yards vs Lamphere '99), 6th (36 Yards vs Lathrup '99), 7th (35 Yards vs Lamphere '99). Dobson suffered an eye injury before his senior year and was limited to a few games.

Ron Ramirez Class of 2000

Defensive Back

5'10 205LBS

1999 - Honorable Mention All State

Khalil Dawsey Class of 2019

Defensive Back

5'10 170 LBS

2018 2nd Team All State (Detroit News)

2018 Honorable Mention All State (Associated Press)

2018 Honorable Mention Academic All State (MHSFCA)

Ron Ramirez played four years of football at Groves and started for three years on the Varsity. During his time at Groves, the Falcons had great success. Over a three year period, the Falcons went 24-7 with two playoff appearances, two playoff wins, and one league title. Ramirez was a force on both sides of the ball and is part of several offensive and defensive records at Groves. He holds the records for rushing TDs in a season (22) and Most Interceptions in a career (16). He is in the top ten in Rushing yards in a career (1149), Carries in a game (28 vs Southfield '99), Rushing TDs in a career (31), Carries in a career (216), Rushing TDs in a game (4 vs Lamphere '98), Longest fumble return for TD (55yds vs Brandon '98), Most interceptions in a Season (7, '98) and (6, '99), Most Games played in a career (31).

Marlon Burt Class of 2001

Runningback

6'0 215LBS

2000 - Honorable Mention All State

Henry VanFaussien Class of 2019

Linebacker

5'10 185 LBS

2018 Honorable Mention All State (Detroit Free Press)

2018 1st Team Academic All State (MHSFCA)

H

Marlon Burt played four years of football at Groves and started for three years on the Varsity. Burt teamed up with other great players to play in 30 varsity football games going 24-6, winning one league title, playing in 3 playoff games. Burt was dominate on both sides of the ball. He started at cornerback as sophomore and junior and moved to free safety as a senior. As a sophomore and junior he saw time at running back and receiver. As a senior he carried the load for the Falcons at running back. He currently holds the record for most interceptions in a game. Burt intercepted 4 passes in a playoff game vs Anchor Bay on October 29th, 1999. He ranks in the top ten in many categories at Groves: (*Denotes need one or more games to complete stats) Most Yards Rushing in a career (*1392), Most Yards Rushing in a season (*870, '00), Most Rushing TD's in a career (*23), Most Rushing TDs in a season (*19 '00), Most Rushing TDs in a game (4 vs Seaholm '00), Best Average Per Carry Career (*7.5 yds), Best Average Per Carry Season (*6.3 '00), Most TD Receptions Game (2 vs Brandon '99), Longest Kickoff Return for a TD (88 YDS vs Brandon '99), Longest Punt in a Game (63 yds vs Anchor Bay in a Playoff Game '99), Most Interceptions in a Career (*13), Most Interceptions in a Season (7 '99), Most Interceptions in a Game (2 vs West Bloomfield '98) and Longest INT returned for a TD (54 YDS vs West Bloomfield '99). After high school Burt played two years at Bowling Green University.

Jason Garrick Class of 2002

Offensive Lineman

6'3 225 LBS

2001 Second Team All State

Jacob Edelman Class of 2019

Defensive End

6'2 225 LBS

2018 Honorable Mention All State (Associated Press)

enHenry Van Faussien played four years of football at Groves and started at Outside Linebacker on the varsity during his Junior and Senior Years.

Jason Garrick was a two year varsity starting center at Groves. He was captain of Coach Flaherty's first team. He helped lead the Falcons to a playoff appearance and one of the best regular season runs in school history. After dropping the first three games, the Falcons won six straight to advance to the playoffs where they lost 17-7 in the first round to Brother Rice. Garrick was also a starter during his junior year and helped the Falcons to the playoffs and an OAA Division II League Championship. While playing Varsity football at Groves, Garrick helped the Falcons to a 14-6 record, one league championship and two playoff appearances.

Craig Frierson Class of 2004

Defensive Back

5'6 185 LBS

2003 Honorable Mention All State

Craig Frierson played three years of varsity football for the Falcons. While at Groves he helped them to a 17-13 record and two state playoff appearances. Frierson excelled at several positions during his time at Groves. He started at Fullback as a sophomore and then moved to free safety as a junior and senior. He also played runningback and wingback during his junior and senior year. Frierson led the team in tackles as a senior and was second on the team during his junior year. Frierson would go on to play at Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland.

Kyle Widerstedt Class of 2005

6'4 215 LBS

2004 First Team All State

Kyle Widerstedt played two years of varsity football while at Groves. As a senior he was voted captain by the coaches and helped led one of the best football teams ever at Groves to a district championship. During his two year varsity career, the Falcons went 15-8, 1 league championship, 1 district championship, 2 playoff appearances and five playoff games. Widerstedt had 5 sacks as a junior and 20 sacks as a senior including 5 sacks in a playoff game against Southfield High School. Widerstedt is one of the most exciting players to have played at Groves. He moved to offensive line as a senior because of injuries but also returned kicks and played runningback at times during games. He even scored a touchdown against Seaholm early in the 1st quarter of the game. Widerstedt owns school records with 20 sacks in a season (2004), Most sacks in a career (25 03-04), Most sacks in a game (5 Playoff game vs Southfield "04). Widerstedt would go on to play four years of Lacrosse at the University of Denver.