Grann starts at QB for Jimmies

Johnny Grann, a 2021 NR-S graduate and Sheyenne native, has been turning heads at the University of Jamestown recently.

Grann, now in his junior year at university, has been the Jimmies fourth string quarterback this season. However, against the No. 3 Morningside Mustangs on Saturday, Oct. 21 he suddenly came off the bench and very nearly led the Jimmies to a monumental upset.

The Jimmies' starter, Ty Monson, couldn't play due to injury, and his backup, Nick Martinez, lasted only one offensive drive before Grann entered the game.

He went on to complete 28 passes for 377 yards and three touchdowns, impressing just about everyone in attendance including his head coach Brian Mistro, who spoke to The Jamestown Sun after the game.

"Johnny Grann was a warrior out there today," said Mistro. "He did a really good job of managing the game and taking some shots. That's a third year kid in our program that's taken a ton of reps and he had his time to shine and he did a good job.

"I love that kid," he added, "he's had so much resiliency and the ability to overcome adversity and hasn't been the guy since he was in high school. He gets the chance today and really shined, I'm really proud of Johnny Grann."

In high school, Grann was the Rockets' starting quarterback for two seasons as a junior and senior, and played a major role in their 2019 playoff run.

Now, he's been given the opportunity to prove what he can do at the next level.

His first career touchdown pass was a well-thrown 58-yard completion to Carlos Julien on a wheel route, which gave his team an early 8-3 lead. Grann went on to throw two additional touchdown passes, one to Micah Madyun for 4 yards, and another to Ryan Collins from 10 yards out in the fourth quarter.

With Grann playing as well as he was, the 2-5 Jimmies managed to take a lead into the fourth quarter against the third best team in the country – before a muffed punt turned the tables and allowed Morningside to spark a comeback.

A week later, coach Mistro decided that Grann had earned his first career start against Dakota Wesleyan University on Saturday, Oct. 28.

Unfortunately, the Jimmies would narrowly lose that game as well. But hardly any fault could be placed at the feet of Grann, who had yet another strong performance.

Grann completed 16 passes for 284 yards and three touchdowns, very nearly leading his team to another victory in only the second game of his college football career.

The Jimmies played again on Saturday, Nov. 4 at home against Briar Cliff University, though it was unclear as of press time if Grann would get another start.

Regardless, the former Rocket has proven himself a reliable option whenever he's called upon, and he's represented his hometown team well at the college level. route, which gave his team an early 8-3 lead. Grann went on to throw two additional touchdown passes, one to Micah Madyun for 4 yards, and another to Ryan Collins from 10 yards out in the fourth quarter.

With Grann playing as well as he was, the 2-5 Jimmies managed to take a lead into the fourth quarter against the third best team in the country – before a muffed punt turned the tables and allowed Morningside to spark a comeback.

A week later, coach Mistro decided that Grann had earned his first career start against Dakota Wesleyan University on Saturday, Oct. 28.

Unfortunately, the Jimmies would narrowly lose that game as well. But hardly any fault could be placed at the feet of Grann, who had yet another strong performance.

Grann completed 16 passes for 284 yards and three touchdowns, very nearly leading his team to another victory in only the second game of his college football career.

The Jimmies played again on Saturday, Nov. 4 at home against Briar Cliff University, though it was unclear as of press time if Grann would get another start.

Regardless, the former Rocket has proven himself a reliable option whenever he's called upon, and he's represented his hometown team well at the college level.