Eagles look to rebuild linebacker core in 2023

by Michael Smith


The linebacker position has been one of strength for the Grain Valley football team the past few seasons, especially at middle linebacker.

Former players like Tristan Pfeiffer, Kole Wagener, Seth Dankenbring, Hunter Newsom, and Gage Forkner all were leaders of the defense as middle linebackers and all went on to play at the college level.

This season, all-conference and all-district selection, senior Brody Baker, will lead the linebacker core for the second consecutive year as he will be a part of a rebuilding group on defense.

“We have been blessed to have a lot of good linebackers over the years,” Grain Valley head coach David Allie said. “Brody fits that mold. He’s not the biggest kid out there but he has the most fire and most heart."

“Having him back definitely helps, with a linebacker little bit thinner, but is very athletic.”

Baker had a breakout season in 2022 after moving from an outside linebacker to the inside. He totaled 95 tackles (27 solo), 11.5 tackles for loss, one sack, one quarterback hurry, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.

Baker’s biggest strength is his tackling ability and shooting gaps in the opponent’s offensive line to get tackles in the backfield.

“He’s a heat-seeking missile,” Allie said of Baker. “You put him on the run, he goes straight ahead and he’ll fill the darn hole.”

Not only was Baker a talented player on the field, he was a good leader and motivator for his teammates.

“Brody is definitely that hype-up dude,” junior Toby Inman said.

The Eagles lost two starting linebackers to graduation in Cole Elliott and Nathan Testa, but they have two linebackers coming back with some varsity experience.

Junior Aiden Woodrome and Inman are expected to start at linebacker. Senior Gabe Storment may split time between linebacker and safety. Others on the team, will be fighting for some available minutes at the position.

Woodrome had 26 tackles (12 solo), four tackles for loss and one interception. He said he had similar strengths as Baker. He said he’s good at shooting the gaps and stopping the run.

Inman notched 27 tackles (19 solo), 4.5 tackles for loss and one sack. He said his biggest strength is his speed, which enables him to keep up with receivers and running backs in pass coverage.

Both are confident that the linebacker core could pick up from where it left off last year as the 2022 version was strong.

“I think it’s improved since last year,” Inman said. “I think we’re going to be really good.”

Added Woodrome: “I think we are going to be good at stopping the run, inside and outside. We are also going to be good (in pass coverage) but stopping the run is what we’ll be best at.”

Allie said the experience Woodrome and Inman had last year will help them fill the holes left behind by the graduations of Testa and Elliott.

“They are athletic,” Allie said of Woodrome and Inman. “They played some at linebacker and special teams. They are looking for their opportunity to step up.

“Aiden, with his size, can grow into an even more physical player than he is now. He’s pretty athletic and rangy. Both of them can get the job in space.”

And those attributes could be useful when the season begins on Aug. 25 when they play Fort Osage at home. In 2023, Woodrome and Inman have some big goals in mine.

“We want to hold every team under 50 rushing yards,” Woodrome said.

​Added Inman: “I want to keep the receiver I am defending under 50 receiving yards and under 25 yards after catch.” 

Juniors Aiden Woodrome, left, and Toby Inman come can to the Grain Valley football team with varsity experience  and are lined up to be starting linebackers in 2023. Inman totaled 27 tackles last season and Woodrome had 26. Photo credit: Michael Smith