​Eagles foursome savors final game together in all-star game

by Michael Smith
 
 
The Grain Valley football team has had quite a bit of success in recent seasons.
 
The past four seasons, the Eagles have finished at least four games above .500 or better and made the quarterfinals each time.
 
The Class of 2023 got to experience all four years of success as they carried a winning pedigree into each season.
 
Four graduates of that class got to play together one last time in Friday’s Kansas City Football Coaches Association All-Star game at Raymore-Peculiar High School. Those grads included Keagan Hart, Rhylan Alcanter, Jake Allen and Austin Schmitt. The game features some of the best football players in the Kansas City area from Missouri and Kansas.
 
The Grain Valley players were a vital part of Team Missouri’s 16-8 victory over Kansas.
 
Hart, Alcanter and Allen were all a part of a dominant defensive effort for Missouri. That trip combined for nine tackles, two for a loss and a sack.
 
Allen said he enjoyed the opportunity to play with some of the best players from Missouri and play against athletes from Kansas.
 
“It was an amazing, once-in-a-lifetime experience,” said Allen, who was a captain on the team and had 2.5 tackles and a sack. “We went out there and kicked some (butt). I went out there and put some helmets in their mouths and played some football.”
 
“This was more than a game. You are representing your state and your community.”
 
Hart said it hit him after the game that it would be his last time playing football with his Eagles teammates.
 
“It’s definitely a little different knowing that it’s the last time playing with them,” said Hart, who had 4.5 tackles, including one for a loss. “It’s been a lot of fun.”
 
Schmitt agreed. He said he had fun as the team’s punter and placekicker. He made a 23-yard field goal and had three punts for an average of 41.3 yards, all of which landed inside the Kansas 20-yard line.
 
“It was a great experience playing with everyone in the Missouri area,” Schmitt said. “It was awesome to see Jake as a captain. He wouldn’t mention it because he’s humble. He represented Grain Valley well.”
 
Alcanter said he will miss playing with the other three as he will move on to play at Pittsburg State this fall.
 
He had two tackles, one for a loss and a fumble recovery that set up Schmitt’s field goal.
 
“I'm mad I didn’t take it to the end zone,” Alcanter said of his fumble recovery. “It was really special to play with my childhood friends one last time on one of the biggest stages. It’s awesome!”

Grain Valley graduate Keagan Hart, right, had 3.5 tackles, including one for a loss. Photo credit: Michael Smith

Grain Valley grad Rhylan Alcanter chases after the Kansas quarterback during a 16-8 victory for Team Missouri over Team Kansas in the Kansas City Football Coaches Association All-Star game. Alcanter had two tackles, including one for a loss and a fumble recovery. Photo credit: Michael Smith​

Grain Valley grad Jake Allen, a captain for Team Missouri, has 2.5 tackles and a sack.
​Photo credit: Michael Smith

Grain Valley grad Austin Schmitt made a 23-yard field goal and had three punts for an average of 41.3 yards, all of which landed inside the Kansas 20-yard line. Photo credit: Michael Smith