Hermitage High School senior football player Curtis Grant of last month was selected to play in the 2011 U.S. Army All-American Bowl, joining an elite group of All-Americans. Grant will participate in the game, held Jan. 8 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Tex., as part of the East squad. The game will be televised live on NBC at 1 p.m. and will feature the nation’s top 90 high school football players.

“Curtis is a talented athlete whose exemplary leadership and teamwork qualities have made him a standout at Hermitage High School,” said Col. Derik Crotts, director of strategic communications, marketing and outreach for the U.S. Army Accessions Command. “The strength, dedication, leadership and teamwork skills necessary to succeed on the football field are the same qualities mirrored in Army Strong Soldiers. We are proud to honor all of our U.S. Army All-American Bowl players and congratulate them on their selection.”

Grant was selected by the U.S. Army All-American Bowl Selection Committee, which consists of All American Games’ network of regional directors, Rivals.com and Tom Lemming. U.S. Army All-American players are eligible for the U.S. Army Player of the Year Award, the Anthony Muñoz Lineman of the Year Award, the Pete Dawkins Game MVP Award, and the Glenn Davis and Doc Blanchard U.S. Army Awards.

Hermitage head coach Patrick Kane also was invited to travel to San Antonio and attend the U.S. Army Coaches Academy, a three-day learning experience featuring NFL and NCAA coaches, and to participate in game-week activities.