Experienced QB set to take over for Eagles

by Michael Smith
 

Having great talent at the quarterback position has been a big reason the Grain Valley football team has had four consecutive winning seasons and seven straight seasons with a .500 record or better.
 
In 2021, then-junior Caleb Larson took over for Cole Keller at quarterback for the Grain Valley football team.
 
Keller was the starter the two years prior, while Larson was starting his first varsity season. The junior ended up being the leading rusher for the Eagles in his two years and led the team to a 9-4 record as a junior and a 9-3 mark as a senior and helped his team make the Class 5 state quarterfinals twice.
 
While the Eagles had players like Larson and Keller start their first games at quarterback in 2021 and 2019, respectively, 2023 will be a little different for head coach David Allie and his football squad.
 
Senior Sal Caldarella transferred to Grain Valley after spending two seasons at the starting quarterback for Blue Springs and will come to the Eagles program already having varsity experience.
 
He played under two head coaches in his two years with the Wildcats and his team went a combined 5-15 in those two seasons. The senior now gets a fresh start in Grain Valley as he comes onto a team in which he already has friendships with those on the team.
 
“It was a whole family move and it was just better for our family overall,” Caldarella said. “I already knew a couple of guys on the team (Anthony Greco and Noah Olah) so I knew it would be a good place to come.”
 
“I played with Noah Olah at Blue Springs. I will be learning my third offense in three years. I am used to the adjustment. There is still some stuff I have to learn.”
 
According to MaxPreps.com, through his first eight games in 2022, Caldarella passed for 848 yards and rushed for 353 with 11 total touchdowns while completing 53 percent of his passes.
 
There will be an adjustment period for the senior while he is getting acclimated to his new team but, Allie said it will help Caldarella’s cause having wide receivers who have plenty of varsity experience, including Greco and Olah, who both started last season. He will also have two tight ends that played in 2022, including Eli Monrian and Peyton Woodrome.
 
“We have a lot of people for him to throw it to,” Allie said. “There is a feeling out process with him and the team to see what he can do throw wise. He’s very capable and can throw the ball for us. He can throw the ball pretty far and accurately.”
 
“He has a good pocket presence, but he can run our player option and read stuff. He can pull and run it when he needs to. He was able to do that in the Pittsburg state camp (a week ago).”
 
Caldarella describes himself as a dual-threat quarterback and said he has a gunslinger mentality, but said he is working on some improvements before the season starts in a little over two months.
 
“I am a little more of a passing quarterback but I can run it when I need to,” he said. “I am always going to be down to throw the ball down the field.
 
“I need to work on being more patient in the pocket. There have been times where I have been impatient and rolled out a little bit early. I am working on staying in the pocket a little longer and throwing it with guys in my face.”
 
The senior not only brings physical skills to the table but he also will be a leader in his first year with the Eagles.
 
“From Day 1, he’s been all in attending our offseason meetings,” Allie said. “He’s been to practice every day and has been lifting weights. He’s a hard worker and great leader. His teammates are gravitating toward him.”
 
And so far, Caldarella said he is enjoying his time with the Eagles.
 
“I love it over here,” Caldarella said. “It’s making me enjoy football even more than I already did. The chemistry building is coming along great.”

Senior Sal Caldarella looks for an open receiver during OTAs last week. He will take over as the starting quarterback for Grain Valley in 2023 after starting for Blue Springs the past 2 seasons. Photo credit: Michael Smith