SPORTSINK.COM PHOTO

Copley junior soccer star Riley Grant (16 goals, 8 assists) is SportsInk.com's Athlete of the Week for Nov. 20-26. Grant is a first-team all-district and second-team All-Ohio selection.

It won’t go on Riley Grant’s highlight reel, but when the Copley soccer star was given a red card in the regional final it may have been the biggest lesson the talented junior learned on the field.

With Copley leading Toledo St. John’s 3-0, Grant got tangled up with an opposing player 15 minutes into the game and was given a red card. He was ejected from the match (a 3-2 victory for his Indians) and was ineligible to play in the next two matches.

“It happened so fast I barely remember what happened, but I know I let my frustrations get the better of me and in the future I won’t let those situations get the better of me,” Grant said. “I wasn’t able to help my teammates and that was the most frustrating part.”

“My intention was not to hit him, but that is what they saw,” he said.

Riley went up to the referee after the game and said he was sorry for his actions.

Despite that disappointing end to the season, Grant, the SportsInk.com Athlete of the Week for Nov. 20-26, is one of the best players in the state and can look forward to adding more accolades to his already stellar high school career.

Grant scored 16 goals this season and passed for eight assists for the 15-3-4 state semifinalists.

“He really blossomed this year with his speed and confidence,” Copley coach Dave Antal said. “He is as complete of a player as you will find."

Grant was named first team All-District and second team All-Ohio.

“I spent a great deal of time during the off season working on my strength and speed, and it seemed to pay off for me,” said Grant, whose speed and strength were not just limited to his work in the weight room as he grew from 5-foot-10 to 6-foot-2 from his sophomore to junior season.

“As he grew so did his on the field confidence,” Antal said.

Grant’s start with soccer began with his father’s love for the game. Russ Grant was a player at Cleveland State, and his experience and love for his boy led to the two getting together many times in the back yard with the soccer ball.

“We were always out back playing,” the younger Grant said.

Grant plays midfield for the Indians after starting at forward for his sophomore and freshman seasons.

“With him in the middle of the action he faces a ton of double and triple teams, it can be frustrating,” Antal said.

Grant is not only strong on the field for Copley High School but he also is strong in the classroom with a 3.0 GPA.

“He is the real deal, a great player,” said Copley Athletic Director Jim Borchik.

And he has another season to play.

“I plan on working harder during the off season to help my physical and mental game,” Grant said.

RILEY GRANT

Class: Junior

School: Copley High School

Sport: Soccer

FAVES

TV:  Burn Notice

Movie:  Rudy

IPod:  Drake

Pizza:  Pepperoni

Home Cooking: Spaghetti

Class:  History

Bucket List:  Travel to Europe