Sept. 27, 2024
Ferris State quarterback Trinidad Chambliss savors brief return to his alma mater, Forest Hills Northern
No one could blame Trinidad Chambliss for saying "There's no place like home."
Feeling the love Friday morning, the 6-foot-1 junior quarterback was as comfortable as anyone as he and his Ferris State University football teammates hit the turf for a walkthrough practice at the stadium of his alma mater, Forest Hills Northern High School on Sept. 27, in Grand Rapids.
"My old stomping grounds," Chambliss smiled as he looked around. "It's cool to see everyone, to see my old coach and other administrative staff here. It's cool to be back out here in the stadium."
The Bulldogs' walkthrough at Forest Hills Northern took place before the 2-1 Bulldogs made the short bus trip to Gerald R. Ford International Airport for a flight to Connecticut in preparation for their Saturday, Sept. 28 non-conference showdown at American International College.
Ferris State, ranked fifth nationally by the American Football Coaches Association and seventh by D2Football.com, flew out for its game in Springfield, Massachusetts.
The Bulldogs are flying high these days.
Chambliss is among the reasons for Ferris State's two-game winning streak. He was red hot before a bye in the schedule last week. Chambliss bounced back from a tough performance in the team's 19-3 season-opening loss at nationally ranked Pittsburg State. He performed brilliantly in the team's next two games, a 56-3 win over Lake Erie College and a 43-3 triumph over Ashland University – home games played at Top Taggart Field.
Chambliss earned Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Week honors after his Ashland performance as he completed 23-of-30 passes for 286 yards and two touchdowns through the air while running for two more scores in the Sept. 14 victory.
"The past two games have been amazing," he said. "Coming back from Pitt State and getting the win against Lake Erie, at home, and then having another dominant home win against Ashland was a great way for us to go into our bye week."
Chambliss may have turned a personal corner after the Pittsburg State game. Things are beginning to click.
"The biggest change for me? I would probably say adapting and growing into that leadership role," said Chambliss, who is completing over 72 percent of his passes this season. "I know I have to be focused on how I go about things, making sure I am doing things the right way as a member of this team."
Friday's homecoming at Forest Hills Northern was special for Chambliss, who competed as a member of some great teams at FHN.
As a high school standout, Chambliss was named to the 2020 MLive Grand Rapids Dream Team and earned first-team All-Ottawa-Kent Conference honors as a quarterback. His greatness extended beyond the gridiron. Chambliss earned 2020 Associated Press All-State accolades during winter basketball season and made his way to the Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan All-State Team. Additionally, Chambliss earned a spot on the 2020 Detroit News all-state honors in basketball.
Chambliss and his teammates hope to keep the good times rolling as they prepare for the road trip to AIC before returning home to face Roosevelt University for Homecoming on Saturday, Oct. 5.