Experienced wide receiver group could lead to more passing plays by Eagles

by Michael Smith

     When the Grain Valley football team played in the Class 5 District 7 championship last season, the passing game became key.
     The Eagles had just 52 seconds left to score a touchdown as they were down 17-10 to Raytown with their season on the line. Before the final drive, quarterback Caleb Larson only had thrown three passes.
     On this possession Larson completed five out of his 7 pass attempts and capped it off with an 11-yard scoring pass to wide receiver Keegan Hart with no time remaining. Austin Schmitt made the extra point to tie the game at 17-all and eventually won the contest 38-37.
     Because of that win, Grain Valley advanced to the quarterfinals of the Class 5 Tournament before falling to Fort Osage the next week.
     Throughout the playoffs, not only did Larson come up big, but so did his wide receivers. Three out of his four starting wide receivers return from last season and give the Eagles a group that is battle tested and has plenty of playoff experience.
     “We have returning receivers which is great and we have our quarterback coming back, who played really well last year,” Grain Valley head coach David Allie said. “We feel like we can throw the ball when we need to. We feel like we can be multidimensional. They are the most experienced group on the offensive side.”
     Returning to the Eagles at wide receiver are Anthony Greco, Hart and Brek Sloan, all of whom started at wide receiver for the first time in 2021. The group will be missing Logan Pratt, who graduated and was the team’s main deep threat down the field.
     “Honestly, I think we are going to exceed expectations, we have a fast group that has breakaway speed,” Sloan said.  “We are crafty with our moves and consistently open up space. We are mastering every route.
     “Logan is one of a kind. We will miss him. But I think this group will be just as good, maybe even better.”
     The Eagles, however, will have a new weapon at receiver in Blue Springs transfer Noah Olah, who should contribute quite a bit to the team this coming season.
     “He and Anthony were friends before he came here and he’s fit right in,” Allie said. “That really helps. The other guys welcomed him with open arms.”
     Added Sloan: “He’s a dog. He will work hard and will compete with everyone. He has an extra gear in his speed.”
     Olah said he anticipates getting even more reps with the Eagles than he had with the Wildcats.
     “It’s been great,” Olah said about his time with Grain Valley so far. “It’s like a family, I really like it.”
     Greco, who had two games in which he had over 100 receiving yards, said he’s working on the fundamentals.
     “I am trying to get bigger and faster so I can become a better football player,” Greco said. “I’m just working on the little things.”
     Sloan has been moving around to different positions on offense as he’s one of the most versatile players on the Eagles.
     “Brek is athletic enough to play anywhere,” Allie said. “He could be our backup quarterback at the beginning of the season. He was so athletic, that we got him in as a receiver last year. We wouldn’t have won (the playoff game against Raytown), without his contributions.”
     If the Grain Valley receivers can make more strides over the summer, that could make things even better for Larson, who has experience playing with three of his receivers.
     “We have already seen in the offseason that the continuity the receivers have with Caleb helps a lot,” Allie said. “That relationship they have with the quarterback is going to be a pretty good one.
     Added Greco: “He definitely gives us a chance. He has some confidence under his belt.”

​Grain Valley receivers, from left, Noah Olah, Break Sloan and Anthony Greco still join Keegan Hart to form an experiment wide receiver corps. Photo credit: Michael Smith

Noah Olah, a transfer from Blue Springs, runs a route during Tuesday's OTA.
​Photo credit: Michael Smith