It was 25 years ago that Grier became an all-state quarterback at Charlotte Latin under the tutelage of first-year head coach Larry McNulty. Grier, who went on to a solid career as the starting signal-caller at East Carolina, never doubted where he would send his son, Will, when it was time for him to compete.

Then came the coaching offer from Davidson Day.

Now, Will Grier is a much-talked about prospect even before he’s thrown his first varsity pass, and the talented rising sophomore is the No. 1 cog in a first-year varsity program that hopes to challenge the Charlotte Latins and Charlotte Christians of the area private school football world in the very near future.

“Our goal is to build a program, not a team,” says Chad Grier.

The Patriots are already confident. The junior varsity team, in its inaugural campaign a year ago, went 10-0. Even Friday’s opening game with powerhouse Harrells Christian is a game the Patriots approach with little in the way of anxiety, reverence or deference.

“Our goal is to win every game we play,” says Chad Grier. “I think a state championship this year is a realistic goal.”

Will Grier threw 28 touchdown passes and just two interceptions last season for the JV Patriots. He’s got a monstrous, but young, offensive line to protect him, a pair of super talented receivers as targets and a running back who finished fifth in the nation this summer in the 100-meter dash at AAU Nationals and averaged 10 yards per carry last season.

Because of the gaudy passing statistics, it would surprise many to learn that the Patriots were nearly a perfect 50/50 mix of run and pass in 2010. Out of a spread offense, the team marched up and down the field nearly at will. The Patriots punted four times all season while averaging 45 points per game.

In addition to Grier’s 2,000 passing yards and 28 touchdowns, the team also has receiver Aaron Seward, a 6-foot-1 junior, who caught 12 touchdown passes and had 800 yards receiving. Jordan Brown is the speedy running back who averaged 10 yards per carry. Meanwhile, Evan Gates, a transfer from Hopewell, will start at the receiver spot opposite Seward, while Vance junior transfer Kirk Donaldson is a Division I prospect at tight end.

If there’s an area of concern at Davidson Day this season, it’s in the lack of available bodies. Only 24 players will be in uniform for the Patriots when they open their season.

“I was incredibly surprised at our success last year,” Chad Grier says. “There’s nothing in our path this year that says we can’t do it again. Skill-wise, I compare our guys with anyone’s.”