Great writeup by the great Bill Althaus leading into tonight's game.
By Bill Althaus bill.althaus@examiner.net
Grain Valley looks to avenge last year’s quarterfinal loss in burgeoning rivalry with Fort Osage
The Fort Osage and Grain Valley football teams are very familiar with each other.
The Indians and Eagles have met three times over the last two seasons, including this year’s season opener, a 33-14 Fort Osage win, and last year’s Class 5 state quarterfinal.
Now they will face off again for a fourth time in another highly anticipated Class 5 state quarterfinal playoff matchup at 7 p.m. Friday at Fort Osage.
The Indians have won the previous three games against an Eagles team that has won three consecutive district championships. Fort Osage, which beat the Eagles in a tight 9-8 battle in the regular season, claimed a 35-0 win in last year’s quarterfinal in a game that was scoreless at halftime.
“Our games against Fort Osage have really developed into a great rivalry,” Eagles coach David Allie said. “And we’ve got our work cut out for us Friday night. I know it’s an old coaching cliche, but I think the team that makes the fewest mistakes will win the game.
“And they have some game-changers we have to be aware of like (Larenzo) Fenner, who does it all for that team; (Greg) Menne, who is a great team leader; and that sophomore running back (Ryver Peppers) who has had a monster season.
“Then you look at their defense and they’re all playing at such a high level. (defensive back Roman) Tillmon had a big game last week against Oak Park, and it seems like whenever they need to make a big stand, they find a way to make it.”
Grain Valley (9-2), which has won eight in a row, comes into the game following a 43-0 rout of Raytown in the District 7 title game.
Quarterback Caleb Larson got the job done with his legs, running for two touchdowns, and D.J. Harris also scored twice on the ground. Austin Schmitt booted three field goals and the Eagles defense allowed just 110 yards of total offense.
Larson has accounted for 1,825 yards of total offense this season, rushing for 990 and 12 touchdowns and passing for 835 yards and five scores. The Eagles have also relied on a three-headed monster at running back, with Ty Williams (544 yards, 10 TDs), Christian Lanear (532, 6) and Harris (454, 7) sharing the load.
Fort Osage (9-2), which has won seven straight, played one of its strongest second halves of the season in a 44-25 victory over Oak Park in last week’s District 8 final.
The Northmen had 261 yards of offense and running back Travon Pankey had scored three touchdowns in the first half, which Fort Osage led 27-19.
“No coach, no team is better at making halftime adjustments than Coach (Brock) Bult and our team,” said Tillmon, who has 115 tackles, including 15 for loss, and three interceptions this season. “We were ready for the second half, and Oak Park wasn’t prepared for what we were doing.”
The Indians held Oak Park to just 95 yards and one late touchdown in the second half of the win.
“We made some adjustments, but the guys went out and got the job done on the field,” said Bult, who is a Grain Valley graduate.
“It should be a great game against Grain Valley. We’re still looking for our first complete game of the season, and we hope it comes Friday night.”
The Indians have won three consecutive district titles and have an offense always seems to make the big play when it is most needed.
Fenner is one of the premier return men in the state and one of Menne’s favorite targets when he’s throwing the ball with a team-high 673 yards on 48 receptions. Menne, who recently committed to Southeast Missouri, has thrown for 1,243 yards and 17 touchdowns after battling some injuries. Peppers has 1,190 yards rushing, 384 yards receiving and a combined 24 touchdowns. And Xander Shepherd is a weapon in the kicking game, making 9 of 12 field goal attempts, including a 43-yarder, and 47 of 49 extra points.
And the defense, led by senior defensive tackle Brock Branstietter (41 tackles, 11.5 for loss, 3.5 sacks) and sophomore linebacker Anthony Thompson (123 tackles, 14.5 for loss), has continued the great tradition that began years ago when Bult was the defensive coordinator.
The temperature could be in the low 20s for the game, and Bult said the team that can block out that factor will have an edge.
“You can’t go out in a big game like this worrying about the weather,” Bult said. “It’s going to be a physical challenge to stop a great team like Grain Valley, but it’s also going to be a mental challenge, because we haven’t played in this type of cold this season.
“We know what our offense can do, Menne is a great leader and we have a great line and so many offensive weapons that you can’t key on just one guy like Fenner or Peppers.
“And our defense is so young and has just gotten better every game this season. And our special teams have been a big part of our team all season, so we’re going to keep working hard in practice this week and we’re excited about the game.”
