​Eagles secondary looks for another strong season in 2023

by Michael Smith


During the 2022 football season, Keagan Hart was the heart and soul of the Grain Valley secondary.

The 2023 graduate had a standout season for the Eagles, totaling 84 tackles (42 solo), three tackles for loss, five interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), eight passes defensed and two fumble recoveries.

His efforts earned him a spot on the Class 5 all-state first team.

He leaves behind a huge void to fill for head coach David Allie and his Eagles. Not only that, but the Eagles lost cornerbacks Jackson Stewart and Mason Morris and safety Vincent Wilkins to graduation.

The Eagles do have some experience coming back, however, which may soften the blow of losing Hart.

Seniors Braylon Harden, Gabe Storment, and Anthony Greco are all returning with varsity experience in the secondary.

Harden is a talented 6-foot-2, 185-pound cornerback for the Eagles as he’s receiving scholarship offers from multiple college programs. Some schools that have made an official offer to him include Northern Iowa, Missouri Western, Central Missouri, Northwest Missouri State, MidAmerica Nazarene and North Dakota.

According to a scouting report on 247sports.com: He “ripped off some impressive scores for his size with a 7.09 L-cone and 4.71 laser-timed (40-yard dash). His skillset could easily translate to that position in the modern three safety schemes that so many defenses are running. And at that spot, those combine tests as well as a 33-inch vertical would be just fine.”

“Already physically imposing with room for added muscle mass, a natural cover man with the upside to become a lethal hitter make Harden worth the exploration.”

So Harden definitely has some upside to be one of the best cornerbacks in the state in 2023. Last season, he totaled 31.5 tackles (28 solo) and had two interceptions.

Harden also is adept at contending throws which are 50-50 balls in the air.

“He sprints on the track team and he’s jumper,” Allie said. “He can keep up with fast receivers if he needs to and can go up and get the ball if he needs to.”

Harden will play one side at corner and on the other side will be junior Jordan Fuller, who will be bumped up from junior varsity.

“They fit the prototypical cornerback that you want,”  Allie said. “They are long and athletic. Braylon had a great year last year, he was all-conference. He’s got a great body and he’s great athletically. We aren’t afraid to put him out there on an island.

“Jordan doesn’t have that experience that Braylon has but he has one of those body that people are looking for in a cornerback.”

Added Harden: “I have been working on my man coverage since my freshman year. I feel like it’s getting better, so is my footwork.”

Storment will play at strong safety. It’s a natural position for him as one of his strengths is tackling. Last season, he notched 41.5 tackles (24 solo), had two tackles for loss and one interception.

“I love running downhill and making big tackles,” Storment said. “I can cover some, too.”
Greco, who got some reps at cornerback last season when the Eagles dealt with injuries in the secondary, likely will play at free safety and Aaron Barr, who is also a wide receiver, could see time at that position, as well.

“He’s quite the aggressive player,” Harden said of Greco. “He’s the type of guy, if you tell him to go in there, he’s going to give his all. If he’s going to fail, he’s going to fail at 100 miles per hour.”

Chase Anderson, who got a few snaps in the secondary in 2022, could also see in the secondary.

With a handful of players coming back with varsity experience, Harden and Storment said the secondary would be a strength of the Eagles defense in 2023 once again.

​“Me and Braylon have five years of varsity experience combined,” Storment said. “We just have to lead the other guys. So far this summer, we have done a good job at that.”

From left, seniors Gabe Storment and Braylon Harden will lead the 2023 Grain Valley football secondary as they have a combined five years of varsity experience. Photo credit: Michael Smith