Eagles receivers look to get more involved in offense in 2023

by Michael Smith

The running game was prominent for the Grain Valley football team in 2022.

The Eagles totaled 2,845 rushing yards as a team, averaging a whopping 237 yards per game. Because of their rushing attack, they finished the season with a healthy 9-3 record and made the Class 5 state quarterfinals for the fourth consecutive year.

Leaning heavily on the ground game is something that is common among Missouri high school teams, but it was especially true for Grain Valley. It kept the ball on the ground for 75.5 percent of their plays a year ago and was an effective strategy.

There is a possibility that percentage could trend downward as the Eagles could end up passing the ball more in the upcoming 2023 season and that has the wide receivers salivating at the possible opportunity for more touches.

“I’ve been dreaming about it,” Grain Valley senior Anthony Greco said of getting more targets. “I am excited.”

Recent graduate Caleb Larson, who was the starting signal caller for Grain Valley in 2021 and 2022, was more of a running quarterback as he rushed for over a 1,000 yards a season ago, which was just one reason the team leaned heavily on the run before.

Senior Sal Calderella, who transferred to Grain Valley from Blue Springs, is a reason the passing game could be utilized more. He describes himself as more of a passer than a runner and he brings two years of varsity experience as he started two seasons for the Wildcats.

It could help Caldarella’s cause that he has familiarity with one of Grain Valley’s returning receivers, senior Noah Olah. The two played together at Blue Springs in 2021 before Olah transferred in 2022.

“We all came from the same school so we’ve known Sal for a minute,” Olah said. “We have great chemistry; it’s been there for a couple of years. We have played together since Pop Warner. Me and him have always had that good connection. We plan to have a big season.”

Added Greco: “There is a big difference between (Larson and Caderella because they are two different quarterbacks. Sal can throw it and he can get it to me a lot and more efficiently. That’s no shade to what we had previously, Sal is just a different type of guy.”

Olah is one of two returners at the position for the Eagles. In 2022, he caught 12 passes for 217 yards and three touchdowns. The senior is a speedy receiver who can stretch the field and that also allows him to be successful on short and intermediate routes as opponents have to respect his ability to get behind a defense.

“Defense have to worry about his speed and that opens him up for short and break routes,” Grain Valley head coach David Allie said of Olah. “Sometimes defense commits a safety over the top to double team him which can open up a tight end underneath. Speed is his main game but he also has great hands.

Greco is the other returning wide receiver that brings experience to the core. He’s started the last two seasons for the tea m and last season he had at least one catch in every game but one and caught 24 passes for 322 yards and three touchdowns.

While Greco has speed to beat defense deep, he’s been most effective as a possession receiver. He’s thrived on short and intermediate routes and was a dependable option for Larson the past two seasons.

“He’s had some of the best catches in the history of our program,” Allie said of Greco. “He had that one catch against Belton where he caught a pass against his helmet. He fits really well in the (run-pass option) game. That’s where the quarterback has the option to run with it or pass it. And if the quarterback throws it, Anthony will catch it.”

Senior Aaron Barr is someone who brings a little varsity experience to the Eagles, as well. Last season, he was the team’s fourth receiver and saw some playing time.

“I am excited to be able to get out there and show what I can do,” Barr said. “Sal is a good quarterback, so it should be fun. Our chemistry is getting there.”

He’s a similar receiver to Greco as he’s a possession receiver who can catch passes effectively on short and medium routes.

“He’s got a long body and he’s got a good reach,” Allie said. “He can go up and get some higher passes. He’s got soft hands.”

Allie said his receivers are not only have the talent to catch passes but they are important in the running game as blockers, too.

“The kids know when we run the football, it’s also important to block,” Allie said. “When teams try to run zone on us and get the defensive backs involved in stopping the run, those guys do a good job of getting their hands on those guys and moving their feet. They work hard in the weight room and are physically pretty strong. I’d match them up against any defensive backs that we see.

Aside from Barr, Greco and Olah, Allie said there are others who are fighting for a role at wide receiver. Returning tight ends Eli Monrian and Peyton Woodrome are also expected to contribute to the passing game.  

Both started for the Eagles last season and are effect as pass catchers and blockers. Monrian caught nine balls for 123 yards in 2022. Woodrome served more as a blocking tight end last season as he had one catch for eight yards.

“We like to keep two tight ends in the game because it’s pretty tough for a defense to line up against,” Allie said. “We can also flex them out and they can play the wide receiver position. They are both big bodies.

“Peyton was actually a converted wide receiver. We needed another tight end and he volunteered. He ended up playing really well for us. Eli has started the last two seasons for us so his experience is valuable. Those two guys are versatile and are important to our offense.”

With multiple pass catchers returning for the Eagles, there is a chance of the passing game being a much bigger part of the team’s success on offense. When asked about their personal goals, the receivers said they didn’t have any, but they did have one team goal in mind.

“We want a ring,” Olah said of wanting to win a state championship. 

From left, Aaron Barr, Noah Olah, Anthony Greco and Jackson Anderson are among the Grain Valley football wide receivers who have participated in weight lifting sessions over the summer.
Photo credit: Michael Smith