It’s only been nine weeks, but it feels like a lifetime for Grant’s Matthew Gipson.

The difference between the Gipson of late August and the Gipson of mid-October is like night and day.

The sophomore quarterback’s rapid development is a primary reason the Bulldogs are riding high entering their first playoff appearance since 2019.

“It’s obviously way different from coming from a lower level, but it’s gone by fast, and you learn a lot in a short amount of time,” Gipson said. “My main focus has been to develop myself better and become better with my teammates and keep creating more chemistry. I’m really grateful for the opportunity.”

It’s an opportunity Gipson has earned.

Grant coach Tim Norwood made a point during the program’s first offseason meeting last November to convey to Gipson that every position on the team was up for grabs.

That planted a seed, which has only grown over the past 11 months. The process began with intense offseason workouts, continued when Gipson earned the starting job over the summer and led to his masterful performance in Grant’s 46-6 Northern Lake County Conference win against North Chicago in the regular-season finale.

Gipson, who threw four touchdown passes for the Bulldogs (6-3, 5-2), has come a long way since their season-opening 28-7 loss to Mundelein. He threw three interceptions in that game.

“I was nervous, but I don’t think I schemed enough before that game, and I’m man enough to admit that,” he said. “I noticed I had to focus more in the classroom because that’s where the development comes from. Putting in the effort outside of football was a game-changer for me and allowed me to get better each week.”

Gipson has definitely done that. Norwood became more convinced that Gipson was on the right track after the Week 4 matchup against Wauconda. Although the Bulldogs lost 27-24, the way Gipson helped erase an early two-touchdown deficit was telling.

“The playbook has grown as he’s grown,” Norwood said. “Week 1, we knew we couldn’t have everything in. It was just a matter of building each week, and he can handle it now.”

Gipson’s numbers since the season opener are vivid proof of that. He has thrown just two interceptions while throwing 14 TDs in the past eight games. On Friday, he was 12 of 18 for 177 yards and showcased a wide variety of skills.

Gipson’s first four completions were all of the check-down variety to running back Jose Munoz. The longest of them went for 16 yards, but the fact that Gipson was content taking what the defense was giving signaled a positional understanding that may not have been present a few weeks ago.

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“Those are easy throws, and I’ll now know who I have available to me before the play,” he said. “Jose did a good job getting open, and taking those completions is smart.”

Gipson also pulled off a feat that he’ll be hard-pressed to duplicate, throwing two TD passes in a 23-second span late in the first half. The first was a 4-yarder to Max Hembrey to cap a three-play, 56-yard drive. It began when Gipson’s arm strength flashed on a 39-yard connection with Jake George down the right seam.

After recovering a fumble, the Bulldogs took over deep in North Chicago territory, and Gipson stood tall in the pocket on the next play to uncork a strike to George in the end zone from 17 yards out.

“I’m going to give credit to our defense because we had great field position twice,” Gipson said. “We had underperformed in the first quarter, so that was more what was expected of us.”

The Bulldogs weren’t sure what to expect from Gipson this season. But they know now.

“He’s always been very talented and is a hardworking kid who’s always pushing himself,” Hembrey said. “I’ve noticed how much he’s improved this season. He’s the kind of quarterback you want leading your team, and these next couple of years, we’re going to be killing it.”

Steve Reaven is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun.