Why Grace Christian football spends $7,000 after Rams bulk up

Al Lesar
For USA TODAY Network - Tennessee
Grace Christian quarterback Luke Kirby looks for an open receiver during the game against Webb at Grace Christian Academy on Friday, September 23, 2016.

Improvement can come with a price.

For the Grace Christian football team, it’s about $7,000.

“Of all the guys we have coming back (to a roster of 58, including almost 20 freshmen), 75 percent of them have gained at least one shoulder pad size (since last season),” said Rams second-year coach Rusty Bradley. “I had to order about $7,000 worth of new shoulder pads. I had to go to the parents for help.”

With added bulk, Bradley hopes, comes enhanced performance.

Grace returns a core of four senior leaders — Luke Kirby (quarterback), Bradley Rash (linebacker, offensive tackle), Eli Nordhorn (receiver, defensive end) and Wes Dorsey (offensive tackle, defensive end) — that was instrumental in last year’s 7-5 season that ended in the first round of the Division II-AA playoffs.

As this season is poised to begin, the Rams already have a head start.

“The guys understand the commitment and the work ethic that it takes,” said Bradley. “The culture has been established.”

There were growing pains last season as Bradley’s expectations were being taught. The Rams lost three of their first four games, ending with a loss to Webb.

“It was 28-27 in the third quarter,” Bradley said. “Things came together. You could see everyone understanding what we wanted them to do.”

Webb went on to win 42-27, but Grace won six of its next seven.

“The game just started to get easier,” said Kirby, one of the primary components of the improvement. “I was able to focus on the details of the game, instead of the big-picture stuff.”

“We’re not teaching Luke reads anymore,” said Bradley. “He doesn’t make bad decisions. His ball placement is solid.”

Kirby completed 251 of 424 passes for 3,220 yards, 29 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. The 6-foot-1, 185-pounder, who added about 10 pounds in the offseason,  has received interest from FCS and Division II programs.

“I love the pressure,” Kirby said. “That’s what feeds me. Just knowing what to do makes so much of a difference. I feel pretty comfortable.”