Sophomore QB starts first game in playoffs, helps Eagles rout Belton 56-14

by Michael Smith, Grain Valley News
 
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Grain Valley sophomore quarterback Cohen Morris made his first varsity start under one of the biggest spotlights possible.
 
The Eagles played in a Class 5 District 7 semifinal game Friday against Belton and Morris filled in for injured starter Chase Neer, who was out with a shoulder injury.
 
The sophomore signal caller filled in nicely as he carried the ball five times for 67 yards and a touchdown. He also completed 4 of 7 passes for 112 yards and another score, which was a 12-yard scoring pass to junior wide receiver Terrell King during a 56-14 blowout of Belton at Moody Murray Memorial Field.
 
Grain Valley (7-3) will play against Raytown, who defeated Sedalia Smith-Cotton 37-0 in the other semifinal, at 7 p.m. next Friday at home. The Eagles defeated the Blue Jays earlier in the season 34-7.
 
The Eagles’ offense didn’t miss a beat with Morris in as they totaled 452 yards.
 
“We all know he can sling the rock,” senior offensive guard/defensive end Logan Bennett said of Morris. “He led the offense well for his first start. He’s young, but he is playing like he had a lot of experience right now.”
 
Senior tackle Will Page agreed.
 
“He did a great job,” Page said. “He had some perfect throws and some good touchdowns.
 
Grain Valley David Allie also had some high praise for his sophomore quarterback.
 
“He had a couple of pretty good throws that we didn’t end up catching,” Allie said. “He has a strong arm and he’s good at running the offense.”
 
He also got a lot of help from his stellar offensive line and sophomore running back Dawson Head, who dominated with 208 yards and four TDs on 14 carries. Backup running back Brody Davis added 43 yards and a score on five totes.
 
“We’re all seniors and we have been playing together for a long time,” Bennett said of the offensive line. “We all hang out outside of practice, so our chemistry is great. Our checks are always on point.”
 
During the game, King appeared to hurt his knee on his touchdown catch from Morris and his status is uncertain for next week’s game against Raytown. Neer could make his return against the Blue Jays as his status is week to week per Allie.
 
“Terrell hit his knee on that touchdown catch,” Allie said. “We are hoping he’s OK. We weren’t going to play him in the second half anyway. Chase is recovering and there is nothing torn or broken. We’ll see what happens next week.”
 
On defense, Grain Valley created three turnovers and allowed just 245 yards, with 88 coming in the second half when there was a running clock. One of those turnovers came on a pick six on a pass from Belton senior Cooper Shrum that senior safety Brody Jones returned 87 yards for a touchdown as time expired at the end of the first half.
 
He raced along the left sideline while dodging two tackles. He cut his run back to the far left side of the field and dove for the left pylon and scored, which was his first varsity touchdown.
 
“I have been working on getting a touchdown for three years now, and finally got it done,” Jones said. “Last time we played them, I got stopped just short on a kickoff return. I wasn’t going to let that happen again.”
 
Junior safety Owen Hames also had an interception of Shrum and junior cornerback Azryel Walker recovered a fumble on a reception from Belton’s Aaden Hall after senior linebacker Brett Boyle punched the ball out.