This has been a year of firsts for the Grain Valley football team.
It’s the first time in the storied career of coach Forrest Rovello that the team has used a platoon system, and tonight marks the first time the 8-2 Eagles will participate in a Class 4 playoff game.
Austin Gouldsmith, Trace Goade and the Eagles will travel to Ruskin High School at 7 tonight to open regional play against 6-4 Hickman Mills.
“This is the time of year I tell the kids to have fun,” said Rovello, who began coaching at Grain Valley when it was a Class 2A school. “Everything from here on out is gravy. I’m so proud of these guys and what they accomplished this year, and we’re going to have some fun in the playoffs.”
The Eagles had won six in a row before losing last week’s regular-season finale 37-12 at state power Harrisonville.
Tonight, the Eagles will attempt to wipe the bad taste from that loss out of their mouths.
“We want to start another winning streak,” said senior quarterback Austin Gouldsmith, who has scored 19 touchdowns this season. “Harrisonville is a great team and if we win against Hickman Mills, we will probably see them again.
“But we’re not looking past any opponent at this time of the year. If you’re still playing, you’re a very good team and we know Hickman is going to be a great opponent.”
Goade, the battering ram fullback/linebacker who is one of the few Eagles to play on both sides of the ball, agrees.
“We’re excited to still be playing,” said Goade, who has scored 14 touchdowns himself. Austin, Drew (Liddle, offensive lineman) and I have been playing football together since the Little League days in Blue Springs. We’re all seniors and we don’t want the season to end. To say we’re fired up for Hickman Mills would be an understatement.”
One big reason the Eagles have had so much success on the offensive side of the ball is Liddle, a massive lineman who protects Gouldsmith and clears the way to the end zone for Goade.
“I tell the guys on offense the five most important players on the team are the offensive linemen, and Drew Liddle has been a good one for a long time,” Rovello said. “The line has done a great job this year, and Trace is gone of those players whose motor is always running. I think he gets stronger as the game goes along. And Austin is one of the greatest athletes we’ve ever had in our program – maybe the best.
“He just gets the job done out there every game. We have a lot of confidence in him.”
While Rovello’s idea of platooning this season was initially met with skepticism, it has played a major role in the team’s success.
“I’m not as winded, or tired mentally and physically, in the fourth quarter as I was last year when I played offense and defense,” Gouldsmith said. “I really like it. We’re as strong in the fourth quarter as were are in the first quarter – and when we play a team that doesn’t platoon, you can tell.
“I think it gives us a big advantage late in the game.”
