Grandview hired Dave Dallas as its head football coach in 2017 with a singular task in mind: Bring back the Friday night lights.
They were dark that fall as Dallas started reconstructing the program by playing only a junior varsity schedule. Then they finished 0-10 upon their return to varsity games in 2018. The next year, the Eagles finally showed progress, winning twice. Last fall Grandview posted its first winning record (5-4) of the 21st century, playing in the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Nevertheless, a 55-0 loss to Cuba in the Class 2 District 2 playoffs showed how far the Eagles have yet to go to contend for district championships. They were 2-2 in the I-55 Conference and didn’t play Bayless or Valle Catholic because of COVID-19.
Quarterback Clayton Riddle is one of 10 seniors who will try to push Grandview to the next level and leave behind a winning legacy for a long-beleaguered program. Riddle (5-10, 155) split time under center with Jakob Brand the past two years; Brand graduated this spring.
“I think the experience of knowing how to win games helps a lot,” Riddle said. “That’s going to be a big key for us this year. Controlling the pace will be huge for us. The efficiency of our offense will play to our side.
“We have more backs who can get the ball more frequently. Instead of running a pro set with two backs, we have three that can get the ball at any time.”
Riddle hit the weight room in the offseason, gained strength and is ready to run the ball more this fall. Last year he finished with negative rushing yardage because of the sacks he sustained.
“He’s ready to have a good year. The last couple of years he battled it out with Jakob and now he’s taken the team on his back,” Dallas said.
The Eagles return two of their top four ball carriers from a year ago in seniors Chase Wilson (761 yards) and Eric O’Brien (312). Ryan Ruble rushed for more than 100 yards last fall. Wilson rushed for more than 100 yards in three games and had a season-high of 161 against Chaffee. He was selected to the I-55 all-conference first team.
“We feel we have a stable of pretty good running backs,” Dallas said.
Seniors John Grimm and Quinton Hopper are penciled in at wide receiver although neither caught a pass last year. The returning starters on the offensive line are seniors Brandon Volner (center) and Austin Welch (guard) and sophomore Ethan Ottolini (guard).
On defense, Grandview picked up a potential starter in junior Austin Blankenship, who transferred from St. Clair. Riddle plays linebacker and makes all the defensive calls. He led the Eagles with 80 tackles in 2020. Dallas said O’Brien, a second-team all-conference pick at linebacker, had a stellar year defensively with 76 tackles, a fumble recovery and interception. He’s also the kicker and the punter.
Volner and Welch will anchor the defensive line.
Grandview opens at Principia on Aug. 27 and visits Bayless Sept. 3 before hosting I-55 rival St. Pius X on Sept. 10. A year ago, the Lancers breezed past the Eagles 41-16, rushing for 251 yards and passing for 174 more.
The goal for Dallas always was more than winning and losing games, but when this year’s senior class graduates, it will close the latest chapter of a once-flickering program that has found new life.
“The guys are familiar with what we want to accomplish and that’s the big thing,” Dallas said. “We’ve got a good senior class that’s provided leadership. The expectation’s there to raise the bar.
“It’s been really satisfying. I’m going on 39 years of coaching and last year was one of the best moments I’ve had. It’s not all about the wins and losses, it’s about getting the best out of the kids on the field and in the classroom.”