​Eagles look for experienced secondary to anchor defense in 2024

by Michael Smith


The Grain Valley football team was strong in many areas of the game in 2023.

On defense, the secondary was one of the areas it excelled. The Eagles allowed 15 passing touchdowns and had 15 interceptions, while only giving up 136 yards through the air per game.

So, it is safe to say that unit was one of the better secondaries in the Kansas City area a year ago, but can they repeat that success in 2024?

Well, they have three players coming back, including senior cornerback Jordan Fuller, senior safety Aaron Barr and junior safety Brody Jones, so the secondary will have some players who have played on Friday nights before.

“They are one of the more experienced groups coming back,” Grain Valley head coach David Allie said. “That’s something you can’t teach. They can do the little things right.”

Grain Valley won’t have second-team, all-state safety Gabe Storment or Suburban All-White Conference cornerback Braylon Mckinley-Harden, both of whom graduated, but it still has plenty of talent in the secondary.

Fuller has the prototypical build college teams look for in a cornerback as he is 6-foot-3. In 2023, he had 27 tackles, two for a loss, two interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown.

There is still some things Allie would like to see the senior improve on for the 2024 season, but he has a chance to have a breakout campaign.

“Jordan is really long and lean and strong kind of kid,” Allie said. “I found some things he needed to improve on from last season, and he’s done a good job working on those things this spring and summer.

“We are working with Jordan on his man coverage skills. When he gets his hands on you, it’s hard for you to get off the line of scrimmage. We are going to help him improve. He has worked hard in the weight room and has gotten stronger for us. He’s going to be a complete package for us. He’s going to be playing man for us and be able to drop off in the zone.”

For Fuller, his goals are simple.

“I want to be aggressive with the receiver and mirror what he does, be on top of it and get a pick,” Fuller said.

He and Barr could form a nice one-two tandem in the defensive backfield. Barr said he can play as a free or strong safety but is at his best in the free safety spot. He had a team-high six interceptions in 2023 and added 54 tackles (three for a loss).

“Aaron’s game is back deep. He’s a ball hawk and he can read plays well,” Allie said.

This season, he has a big goal in mind.

“I am trying to get a lot of picks,” Barr said. “I want to find out what the picks record is and break it.”

Jones will likely be Grain Valley’s strong safety this season. He’s 5-foot-9 and 140 pounds, so he won’t be the biggest guy out on the field, but his teammates have said he’s the best tackler in the Eagles’ secondary.

Last season, he played in 11 of 12 games, notching 56 tackles, seven tackles for loss and three sacks.

“Brody Jones is not the biggest cat out there, but he has the heart of the lion,” Allie said. “He’s going to be a good football player.

Brody is better on the run toward the football. He’s a physical kid who likes contact. He was not blessed with great height, but he will come up and smack you.”

Grain Valley still has a vacant spot at the other cornerback position which will need to be filled. Those competing for the spot include junior Ahmad Herring, senior TaRon King and junior Jack Fuller, who made one appearance in a varsity game a year ago.

Senior Joseph Ripley and Braden Storment could also see some time at safety, as well.

Communication and being physical at the line of scrimmage are two key things the secondary will need to do, Jordan Fuller said. The best attribute for the group, is their mentality, which could help it have a successful 2024 season.

“Our best attribute is our next-play mentality,” Fuller said. “If something goes wrong, everyone is there to help the person that got beat.”

Senior Aaron Barr, left, and Jordan Fuller are two of the three returning starters for the Grain Valley football team's defensive backfield. The duo combined for eight interceptions in 2023. Photo credit: Michael Smith