Six Eagles prep to face Kansas in Mo-Kan All-Star game this Friday

by Bill Althaus, Grain Valley News


David Allie looks more like a proud father than the head coach of the Greater Kansas City Football Coaches Association's Missouri vs. Kansas Mo-Kan Missouri All-Star football game that will be played at 7 p.m. Friday at Liberty High School.

Allie’s Grain Valley team will have six representatives, including running back Robert Palmer, defensive back Aaron Barr, linebacker Toby Inman, tight end Eli Monrian, defensive lineman Alex Osborn and Korbyn Goodwin, an offensive lineman who was added to the roster Monday.

"I'm glad we (coaches) don't get paid to coach the all stars because I'd feel like I was stealing," the personable Allie said. "Many of my assistants are on the team and to have six of our players is so special.

"And it's great to have that many of our players on the team, because they can help their Missouri teammates get the hang of our offense. If any of the players have a question, they can ask our coaches or the guys from Grain Valley. That's really been valuable this week."

The first time Allie was a member of the all-star staff was when Eagles coaching icon Forrest Rovello was the head coach.

"That was a lot of fun because Forrest is such a great guy," Allie said. "I've been an assistant a couple of times and this is my second time as a head coach. Missouri lost the first time I was a head coach - so we have to take care of that Friday night. I don't want to be 0-2 against Kansas."

That was evident at Wednesday's practice as every time the Eagles broke a huddle, they chanted - in unison - "BEAT KANSAS!"

Palmer, who has signed with Iowa Central Community College, was a Missouri Football Coaches Association third-team Class 5 all-state selection after rushing for 1,452 yards and 18 touchdowns for the Eagles last fall.
When he arrived at practice he was sporting his ever-present smile, even though his right eye was nearly swollen shut after a sting.

"I don't know what stung me, but it got me good," Palmer said, chuckling. "But nothing could keep me away from playing in this game. I get to play one last game with Coach Allie and his assistants and be on the field with my brothers for one more game.

"And we all have just on goal: BEAT KANSAS!"

This game is something new for Palmer, who moved to Grain Valley from Iowa before his senior year.

"They don't have all-star games in Iowa," Palmer explained. "When I was told I made the all-star team, I didn't really know what Coach Allie was talking about. Now, we're playing for Coach Allie, we're representing our high school, and the state of Missouri. Man, I wish it was Friday night right now!"

Barr, a three-sport athlete at Grain Valley (football, basketball and baseball), is eager to share his knowledge of Eagles football with his Missouri teammates.

"It's been fun helping the (Missouri) players become more familiar with our offense and defense," Barr said. "If I was a guy, and knew that one of my teammates had played for the head coach, I'd be asking them all sorts of questions.

"And I want to do anything I can do to help my teammates and beat Kansas.

"And as I look around, and see the talent and depth we have, I think we have a good chance to get that done."

Like his teammates, defensive lineman Alex Osborn will have a big cheering section Friday night in Liberty.

"I think we could fill the stadium with just my family," Osborn jokingly said. "I have four brothers. I'm the oldest, and they all want to play football. Well, my brother Archer is just 3, but I know Ethan (seventh grade), Isaiah (second game) and Owen (kindergarten) all want to play.

"Think you'll be around long enough to write about them (laughing)."

He said he's never played with a team that has talent and depth like the Missouri all-stars.

​"You look at our team, and every player, at every position, is the best of the best. There has been a lot of competition in our practices, and that's just going to make us a better team when we play Kansas Friday night."

Five members of the Grain Valley High School football team, from left, Toby Inman,  Alex Osborn, Eli Monrian, Robert Palmer and Aaron Barr, are now part of the Greater Kansas City Football Coaches Association's Missouri vs. Kansas Mo-Kan Missouri all-star football game that will be played at 7 p.m., Friday at Liberty High School. A sixth member of the Eagles, Korbyn Goodwin, was not available for the photo. Photo courtesy Bill Althaus

Grain Valley Assistant Coach Mike Tarrants. Photo credit: Bill Althaus

Grain Valley head coach David Allie. Photo credit: Bill Althaus
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