Next generation of girls football players hits the field

The Grain Valley High School Girls Flag Football team has earned quite a bit of attention in their first season, but they should not be wanting for talent in the coming years as the next generation of girls football players are taking the field each weekend this spring.

The Grain Valley Sports League launched a girls flag football team this season for girls in kindergarten - 8th grade, and the enthusiasm at the Pop Warner fields in Independence on a recent misty Saturday was palpable.

Ryan Kearney is a coach for the 5th grade team, which includes a few 4th and 6th grade students. Kearney has been a longtime volunteer with the Grain Valley Sports League, also coaching baseball, basketball, and football. Asked about the enthusiasm level on his girls team, Kearney smiled.

"It's very high. I did not know what to expect going into this. I coached boys tackle football for 15 years, and with the girls, there is a whole new level of sass I was not involved with previously. It's more fun than I expected and the girls are having a blast," Kearney said.

Kearney's team is 6 games into their season and went into Saturday's games in 2nd place in their league with a record of 4-2. 

Kearney said the game is perfect for any girl - whether they have played a sport before or not.

"If you've never played a sport before, there's always a position you can play on this sport. It's a lot of fun and a great way to meet other kids that you would not otherwise meet, and it's a great way to learn how to work as a team," Kearney said.

Rilee Gantee, a 6th grader at Grain Valley South Middle School, has played soccer and basketball but says she really enjoys the challenge of flag football. Asked what she enjoyed most about this sport, Gantee was quick to point to her teammates.

"Just being able to play with your friends and have a good time. I love sports, and this is just so much fun."

Arianna Kearney, a 5th grader at Matthews Elementary, agreed.

"Being able to play just brings me joy. I grew up watching my brothers play football. I'm just so grateful to be here."

Bruce Neer with the Grain Valley Sports League, a veteran coach and coordinator for the girls flag football season, said the enthusiasm has touched the parents as well.
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"After the first week of games, there were several dads who approached me saying 'I wanna help coach.' Everybody's so in to it, it's great," Neer said. 

Neer said there are 72 girls in K-8th grade participating in this first season. The Grain Valley teams play two games each Saturday, facing teams from Blue Springs, Independence, Kearney, and Cass County at the Pop Warner fields. A fall season is planned with details to be announced within the next month and will include a team for high school girls interested in playing.

For more information on the Grain Valley Sports League, visit Grain Valley Sports League > Home. 

Rilee Gantee is a 6th grader at Grain Valley South Middle School and plays running back. Photo credit: Grain Valley News staff

Arianna Kearney is a 5th grader at Matthews Elementary and plays wide receiver. Photo credit: Grain Valley News staff

Grain Valley Sports League girls flag football plays two games each Saturday at the Pop Warner fields in Independence. Fall league information will be available soon for students in kindergarten - 8th grade, and a high school team is also planned. For more information on the Grain Valley Sports League, visit ​www.grainvalleysportsleague.com. Photo credit: Grain Valley News staff