Eagles Seize Momentum in Win Over Ruskin

by John Unrein

The Grain Valley Eagles were able to seize momentum in the second half of their football game against Ruskin, securing a 51-14 victory on homecoming.

“Turnovers and dropped passes were an issue as we went into halftime. We challenged the kids to execute better as well as showing them an advantage we saw of how they aligned to trips to the weak side that we wanted to attack. The kids responded. We need to start more games like we did the second half,” Head Coach David Allie said.

Grain Valley went into halftime with a narrow 17-14 lead. Big plays

offensively in the first half by the Eagles included a 36-yard run off tackle by Mason Guhse for a touchdown with 8:00 left in the first quarter. This was followed by a two -point conversion run by Bennett Disco out of the Eagles “Heavy Chevy” goal line package.

Other first half scoring included a safety against Ruskin forced by Grain Valley’s defense and a 14-yard touchdown run by Tanner Bailon on an inside reverse off toss sweep action with 2:38 left in the second quarter. The Eagles defense also applied consistent pressure to Ruskin’s quarterback during the first half, including a sack by Mitchel Alexander.

Ruskin answered with scoring of their own during the first half with an 88-yard touchdown run on a quarterback draw by Carlo Terrell, with 11:46 to go in the second quarter. Ruskin would also go on to add a 26-yard fade pass from Terrell to wide receiver Teron White with 1:00 to go in the second quarter. This would be the only scoring allowed by Grain Valley’s defense the rest of the game.

The Eagles took control of the reigns for themselves early in the 2 nd half. Grain Valley would move the ball effectively and go on to put up 34 unanswered points. Quarterback Cole Keller, running back Ethan Grasher, and the defense, via an interception return for a touchdown each contributed to scoring.

“In the second half we started attacking their edges. Trap worked well for us. So did speed option as we adjusted to what they were giving us. Cole lopes with his gate because of his height, but he’s fast. He’s a leader,” Allie said.

The defense closed the door hard on their opponent in the second half as well.

“Our defense held down their offense. That allowed us to be aggressive with our play calling. Giving us the ball back with the turnovers they created is obviously huge, and it was impressive considering some of the situations we put them in during the first half with turnovers. The offense and defense fed off each other in the second half and that’s what we have to continue to do,” Allie said.

Grain Valley will host Raytown South next Friday, October 19 in a conference game matchup.

“We want to carry some momentum into districts. You don’t necessarily want to say it this way, but the first nine games are practice for game ten and you want to continue past that. They (Raytown South) have a pretty good quarterback who’s big and athletic from what we’ve seen of them on film and I anticipate we’ll have our work cut out for us. We have to continue to stop making mistakes on our end,” Allie said.

The outcome of week nine will contribute to MSHSAA’s (Missouri State High School Activities Association) computer formula they use to determine week ten matchups in Missouri Class 4, District 7 playoff football.