​Six Eagles end careers with win in all-star football game

by Michael Smith, Grain Valley News
 
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Six Grain Valley football players had one last ride together.
 
And what a ride it was.
 
Recent graduates Toby Inman, Alex Osborn, Robert Palmer. Korbyn Goodwin, Aaron Barr and Eli Monrian teamed together one last time in the 33rd Annual DM Injury Law Kansas vs. Missouri All-Star Game Friday at Liberty High School.
 
They played for Team Missouri in a game that featured some of the best 2025 graduates from the Kansas and Missouri side of the Kansas City metro area, and all six Eagles contributed to a 25-14 win for Missouri.
 
Grain Valley head coach David Allie got to lead Team Missouri, got his first win at the event, and got to work with his six seniors one final time.
 
“We talked about getting one more ride together,” Allie said. “They are great kids. I love them and love what they do. They went out on a high note and won their last game. It was a great experience.”
 
Inman helped Missouri end the game on a high note when he intercepted a pass from Kansas quarterback Tyson Bashore with 33 seconds left to seal the victory. The play came after Kansas recovered a Missouri fumble with 1:53 left.
 
“Finally, the game came to an end for us,” Inman said. “That helped bring everyone's nerves down.”
 
Palmer got his moment, as well, as he followed Monrian to pay dirt on a two-point conversion run to the right side after Missouri scored a touchdown on a 19-yard pass from Kobe Westphal to Tommy Hutslter to put the team up 25-14.
 
On the 2-point run, Palmer tripped and fell into the end zone and he and Monrian proceeded to celebrate.
 
“Robert slowed down and I turned the corner and there was nobody there,” Monrian said. “I put my arms up and started doing a celebration with Robert. He tripped over me and started doing snow angels.”
 
Added Palmer: “That is my celebration. I was just happy to get into the end zone. I was so tired. Just being in the end zone and laying down there was great.”
 
Those were just a pair of moments the Eagles got to enjoy together one last time as they got to play with some of the best Missouri has to offer.
 
“It was a real honor,” Osborn said. “This is everyone’s dream in high school.
 
Goodwin, who was added to the team late on Monday, agreed.
 
“It was good to see all the new people from all of the other schools and seeing how good they are and learning from them was a really good experience,” Goodwin said.
 
Barr, who was on the field for much of the game, admitted he was exhausted after it was all over, but the end result was exactly what he wanted.
 
“I was a little gassed toward the end there,” Barr said. “I haven’t ran that much in so long. It was fun, especially to get the win and seal the deal.”