In a perfect world for Grandview football head coach Jason Kimminau, his team’s roster would be a steady assortment of under- and upperclassmen every year.
It also would help to have more than 14 in uniform, but that’s Kimminau’s head count as the program battles an old problem of low turnout. Eagle fans still remember when Grandview played JV-only back in 2017.
Last year the Eagles finished 3-7 overall and 2-4 in the I-55 Conference with 12 seniors. Now, only three players are in their final year: Jacob Hassos, Damian Maxwell and Skyler Melton.
“It’s a weird cycle we’re trying to break here at Grandview,” said Kimminau, who’s starting his third year in charge. “I don’t want to be that person who waits on that one good class. It’s tough to build your talent base.”
A number of juniors enter their third year on the varsity. Isaac Walker (end) and Tucker Rhinehart (line) return after making the all-conference first team on defense. Lucas Hannah and Cameron Brooks are returning on offense and defense.
The loss of 2024 graduate Nash Moore is the biggest hole to fill. Moore was a first-team all-league pick at fullback and linebacker and led Grandview with more than 1,000 yards rushing and 87 tackles.
“We lost a big chunk of our offense and defense (from) last year,” Kimminau said. “Nash Moore was really big for us. We need to fill those spots from those seniors. But a lot of guys coming back have been around since they were freshmen or sophomores. We have a solid junior class.”
That includes second-year starting quarterback Brendan Martin, who completed 60 of 110 passes for 800 yards. He threw more interceptions (seven) than touchdowns (six), but also contributed 136 yards rushing with a TD.
“He’s gotten more comfortable,” Kimminau said. “He did a great job as a sophomore. He’d never played QB before and from day one he was the guy. We want to see that growth as a leader out of him.”
Grandview started 2-0 last season but in the Week 2 conference victory over Bayless, Melton’s season ended when he broke his ankle. He returns at running back and linebacker.
“Losing him hurt us and we’re excited to see what he can do in a full season,” Kimminau said.
Junior Wyatt Keim can line up in multiple skill positions and tied Moore with eight touchdowns last year and 591 yards of total offense. In last year’s opener against Skyline, Keim rushed for 107 yards and scored three TDs. Walker, who rushed for 216 yards a year ago, can plug into the offense in many ways.
“Isaac filled a lot of roles in the past. Wyatt has done a ton for us and will again,” Kimminau said. “After that it will be a lot of guys who haven’t been asked to fill spots before.”
Rhinehart is a two-way starter on the line. Hassos and Rhinehart are the two returning starting tackles. The rest of the unit is still to be determined.
“(Rhinehart) is a staple of the line and you know what you’re going to get out of him,” Kimminau said. “After last year, with his continued growth, he got a lot of respect in the conference. People knew where he lined up was going to be our strong side.”
Defensively, the 2023 Eagles surrendered 91 points in their final two games, but Kimminau said this year’s unit will be much improved because of experience.
“Isaac and Wyatt are two focal points of what we do on offense and defense,” he said. “They’re good football players, so you want to put them in spots to succeed so the team can, too.”
Sophomores Brock Poole, Quinton Byers and Aaron Smith all played on the varsity as freshmen. They’re ready for more playing time, the coach said.
A storm in May damaged the artificial turf at Grandview’s stadium, but repair work by ATG of Festus was completed and was ready for the first day of practice Monday.
The Eagles kick off the season at home against Chaffee, which beat them 41-6 last year. Grandview stays home in Week 2, opening Quad County Conference play against Bayless-Hancock of south St. Louis. The Eagles are 3-0 against the Bronchos.
The I-55 Conference disbanded earlier this year and regrouped as the Quad County Conference, subtracting St. Pius X but adding Cuba.
“After the first two weeks last season, we felt really good, then Skyler got hurt and stuff sometimes comes up that’s out of your control,” Kimminau said.