​Eagles football has strong showing at jamboree

by Michael Smith, Grain Valley News


Grain Valley head football coach David Allie liked what he saw from his team Friday.

The Eagles participated in a four-team jamboree at Liberty North High School that featured the host team, Lee’s Summit, and St. Pius X, and they had a solid showing.

The offensive line and running backs looked strong on offense, scoring three touchdowns on the day, while the varsity defense allowed just one score.

Each team played 12 snaps on offense and defense against each of the other three teams, with each possession beginning at the defense’s 4-yard line.

Allie said he saw a lot of good things from his offense and defense, and most importantly, none of his player got injured and he will have a healthy team going into next Friday’s season opener at home against Raytown.

“It was a pretty good showing,” Allie said. “Once Sjoeren and Dawson get vertical, they are going to be hard to stop. They are fast and shifty. The O line played well, and our quarterbacks put us in good positions.”

It was clear Grain Valley’s biggest strength will be the running game. It showed when junior Sjoeren Aumua scored on the first play against the Lee’s Summit defense when the line created a big enough hole for him to run up the middle untouched for a 40-yard TD. Aumua had to carries for 45 yards. He also had one reception for two yards.

“It can’t get much easier than that,” Sjoeren said of his touchdown. The offensive line made it easy for me. Without them, we are nothing.”

Aumua’s backfield mate, sophomore running back Dawson Head scored on a 25-yard run between the left guard and tackle on a misdirection run against Liberty North on the fifth play of the first drive. Last season, head was primarily used as a wide receiver, but he is starting this year at his natural position at running back.

On Friday, he had four carries for 35 yards and one catch for six yards.

“Coach Allie always knows how to get us in the right places to score,” Head said. “It came really easy. The offensive line really played (their rear ends) off. I could not have asked for a better O line.”

Grain Valley also showed improvement from last season in the passing game. He caught two passes for 35 yards and a score. He one TD came on a heave from junior varsity quarterback DJ Pechar. Even with a cornerback right on him, he calmly made the catch at the 3-yard line and ran into the end zone.

The 5-foot-7 speedster appeared he could be a top target in the passing game in 2025.

Neer, who is a second-year starter at quarterback, appeared to be quicker with his reads and decisions than last season. He completed 4 of 6 passes for 27 yards. He also added an eight-yard run.

“He’s grown up this summer,” Allie said of Neer. “There are a couple of things we can tweak in the passing. He led the offense well and threw the ball where it was supposed to be.”

On defense, the starters only allowed a 5-yard TD pass to the Tigers. The junior varsity team allowed two scores to Lee’s Summit and one to Liberty North. St. Pius X didn’t score against Grain Valley.

​“Lee’s Summit had some pretty fast track kids, and they caught us on a fade route,” Allie said. “It took them five plays to score. I thought our secondary did well. Effort was great and composure was great.”
 

​Grain Valley senior quarterback Chase Neer drops back with the football and looks for an open receiver against St. Pius X. Photo credit: Addie Kennedy

Grain Valley junior wide receiver Terrell King, center, is greeted by sophomore Dawson Head, left, and Owen Hames after catching a 21-yard touchdown pass from DJ Pechar during the Eagles' preseason jamboree Friday at Liberty North High School. Photo credit: Addie Kennedy

Grain Valley sophomore quarterback Cohen Morris drops back to pass the football. Photo credit: Addie Kennedy
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