By now, if you follow our high school football content, you’ve heard of Desert Vista freshman Devon Grubbs rushing for five touchdowns on DV’s Varsity team in the Thunder’s 66-23 win against Boulder Creek last Friday.
The showing was nothing short of impressive, adding to a list of the amazing talents we’ve seen in Arizona high school football this 2018 season.
Postgame on Friday, Devon told Sports360AZ that a big showing like he had was something he’s been working toward since being brought in on Varsity.
“It feels great, I feel very proud of myself,” Devon said. “I’ve been working so hard, it was time it paid off. ”
The young running back’s speed was put on display as he rushed for over 200 yards, but all the credit for the freshman’s big night went to his guys up front.
“The blocking, it was perfect,” Devon said. “If it weren’t for my blockers, there wouldn’t have been an open hole. I wouldn’t have scored five touchdowns.”
Grubbs with his FOURTH touchdown run. Only a freshman, kid has got some wheels.
After TDs, first person he’s gone to on sidelines was his brother, junior Tyson Grubbs, #8 who is on the sidelines with a boot on his right foot.
Video below is of his third TD.#FridayNight360AZ pic.twitter.com/Www6HtAzEr
— Haley Stesiak (@haleystesiak) October 13, 2018
Devon has gotten the opportunity on Varsity after his older brother, Tyson, went down with a foot injury in Desert Vista’s game against Highland.
“We brought him up just for a game, just to give him a look,” Desert Vista head coach Dan Hinds told the FridayNight360AZ Preview Show of Devon’s place on Varsity. “First game he got in, he had a couple of nice runs and scored a touchdown, so we got him going.”
Tyson has given Devon game advice, but the most important advice he has given is how Devon should compose himself now that’s he’s up on Varsity.
“(He told me) not playing like I’m still a freshman, (but) playing like I’m on Varsity and I belong on Varsity,” Devon said.
Devon certainly acts and plays way beyond his years.
“He’s a really special kid,” Hinds said. “He’s not your typical freshman. He doesn’t look like a freshman, he doesn’t act like a freshman, he’s really mature.”
In the five games that Tyson played in before his injury, he had 678 rushing yards. His little brother is now not far behind with 452 rushing yards in his five Varsity appearances. The Grubbs brothers lead the team in rushing.
FIVE TDs for Grubbs tonight. This one a 17 yd run, that’s his shortest run of the night.
This is Grubbs’ fifth game on Varsity. Had two TDs coming into this game.
45-15, Desert Vista. #FridayNight360AZ
— Haley Stesiak (@haleystesiak) October 13, 2018
“I saw a undeveloped me,” Tyson said of what he saw of his little brother last Friday. “He was looking like how I did in eighth grade, but he definitely reminds me of me and how I run.”
Tyson couldn’t be happier for Devon with how he has stepped up this season and showed out.
“I feel like he made history, little freshman, five touchdowns,” Tyson said. “I love him. I’m so proud of him.”
While there is still plenty to accomplish in the 2018 season on the road to a State Title, the Thunder have quite a bit to look forward to in their backfield in 2019 with the Grubbs brothers.
“We’re really focused on this year, but yeah, moving forward we’re really deep in that spot,” Hinds said.
Tyson said that the Thunder’s run game with the two will be “brutal.”
Desert Vista takes on Corona del Sol on Oct. 19 and rounds out the season with a big game against Queen Creek on Oct. 26.
