Postseason Football Recognition Rolls In For Eagles

​by John Unrein

     It has been almost a month since the Grain Valley Eagles football team concluded their 10-2 season on November 20th in the quarterfinal state playoff round. The Eagles were suburban conference co-champions for their division as well as repeating as district champions, this year in Class 5, District 7. The accolades do not stop there though for Grain Valley and head football coach David Allie.
     The Eagles were honored with having seven 1st Team All-Conference selections, five 2nd Team All-Conference selections, and 13 Honorable Mention selections. The importance of this acknowledgment is significant as it is conducted by football coaches within the Suburban Conference who face off against each other and get to know their competition well.
     Allie shared what goes into the process of being an All-Conference honoree.
     “Each coach nominates players from their team they believe are deserving for All-Conference recognition. All the conference coaches meet and talk about their players, usually by position group, and then vote for the position,” Allie said.
     “Coaches cannot vote for their own players, and the results are compiled and based on the number of positions available, the vote tallies delineate the first and second teams. If a player receives at least one vote, but not enough to be on the first two teams, they receive Honorable mention honors.”
     Allie continued, “Special awards, such as ‘Athlete, Players of the Year, and Coach of the Year’ are voted on at the end of the meeting, in much the same manner; coaches nominate, the group discusses and then votes.”
     The following Grain Valley football team members were recognized with Suburban All-Conference selection.
 
Offensive Player of the Year
Quarterback Cole Keller, Senior
 
Defensive Player of the Year
Linebacker Hunter Newsom, Senior
 
1st Team All-Conference
Quarterback Cole Keller, Senior
Running Back Jaxon Wyatt, Junior
Wide Receiver Parker Bosserman, Senior
Offensive Lineman Jack Bailey, Senior
Offensive Lineman Landen Hinton, Senior
Defensive Lineman Donovan McBride, Senior
Linebacker Hunter Newsom, Senior
 
2nd Team All-Conference
Running Back Hunter Newsom, Senior
Defensive Lineman Josh McCoy, Senior
Linebacker Zach Kirk, Senior
Defensive Back Keegan Hart, Sophomore
Defensive Back Cameron Mickelson, Senior
 
Honorable Mention
Offensive Lineman Connor Heitman, Sophomore
Offensive Lineman Donovan McBride, Senior
Offensive Lineman Cooper Terry, Junior
Wide Receiver Carter Day, Senior
Wide Receiver Carter Vrlenich, Senior
Tight End Parker Stone, Senior
Returner Keegan Hart, Sophomore
Kicker Austin Schmitt, Sophomore
Defensive Lineman Quincy Jones, Senior
Defensive Lineman Sawyer Farris, Junior
Linebacker Jayden Jacobson, Senior
Defensive Back Brayden Terry, Senior
Punter Parker Bosserman, Senior
 
     Both Cole Keller and Hunter Newsom were also nominated for the Simone Award and Buck Buchanan Award, respectively.
     The Simone Award is entering its 33rd season and is given to the best all-around football player in the Kansas City area. The award originated in 1931 by Dr. Nigro and continued until his death in 1976. The award was reinstated by Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Simone as a tribute to their 12 year old son Tommy. The award is selected by a vote of the Greater Kansas City Football Coaches Association (GKCFCA), head coaches in the metro area, and other selected media members.
     The 24th Annual Buck Buchanan Memorial Award recognizes the top big class (MO 5-6, KS 5A-6A) in the Kansas City area. Junious “Buck” Buchanan was a defensive tackle for the Kansas City Chiefs dating back to the American Football League. Buchanan was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990.
     Keller, Newsom, and Jack Bailey shared their thoughts on what the distinguishment means to them.
     “When I heard the news (about the Simone nomination) I was honestly shocked. It’s just cool to see my name on the same list as so many other great football players,” Keller said.
     Newsom added, “I had just finished eating dinner and was headed back to my room to do some homework and chill out on my phone. I got a text from Coach Allie congratulating me on being announced as one of the semifinalists for the Buck Buchanan Award. I was really excited to share the news with my family.”
     “It was a huge honor to be recognized and to represent Grain Valley.”
     Bailey finished, “The All-Conference selection means so much. I’ve dreamed about playing football for Grain Valley since I was in elementary school. It was my goal to become someone that a little kid could look up to.”
     Allie is proud of the recognition for his program and what this group of seniors means to him.
     “This one of the most successful football classes to grace the halls of Grain Valley High School. We knew from when they were freshman that this class would be special. During their careers they played in three District Championship games, winning two, and making the quarterfinals of Class 4 and Class 5 the past two years, respectively,” Allie said.
     “As sophomores, they led the change from the MRVC (Missouri River Valley Conference), and this year led us into the larger division in the conference, in addition to a larger state classification. Their overall record in high school was 33-14.”
     “There would have been no better group of experienced and mature young men to lead the Grain Valley Eagles during this unique season that was full of angst and uncertainty. When there were doubts if we would finish (or even start) the season, when nobody thought they could compete in Class 5, when obstacle after obstacle challenged their mental toughness, the class of 2021 took it in stride and never doubted themselves or their potential.”
     Allie concluded, “Their success on the field is a testimony to their dedication to the program and to their teammates. They truly lived up the mantra of #GVOWNIT.”