Five years into its varsity reset, the Grandview football program is about to embark on a new journey under a new head coach and plenty of new varsity players.
The Eagles’ 2016 season ended early because of a depleted roster and prompted a retreat to junior-varsity-only status in 2017. That experience is becoming more of a cautionary tale than a bad memory for those associated with Grandview football. Former head coach Dave Dallas put the Eagles back on the right course over the last five years, and now it’s Jason Kimminau’s job to keep them there. Kimminau was an assistant for Dallas last year when Grandview finished 7-4 and beat Cuba in the Class 2 District 2 playoffs. The Eagles’ season and an era ended in the district semifinals to Duchesne.
“Overall, the effort and the attitude has been really good,” Kimminau said when practice started last week. “The kids are excited to be here, go to work and I think they’re having a lot of fun. You had a big change in the coaching staff, graduated a big, strong senior class and brought in a lot of new faces. So far we’ve enjoyed what we have seen.”
Keeping football viable at Grandview depends on the retention rate from year to year. Kimminau said all of the non-senior players on the roster in 2021 have returned and they’ve added new players in each grade. Still, the Eagle mentor has to replace his starting quarterback, most skill position players and four-fifths of the offensive line, not to mention first team all-state defensive back Chase Wilson. He was a leader of the big 2022 graduating class that pushed the program forward through thick and thin.
“Coach Dallas did a lot of work to get this program moving in the right direction. Success leads to more people playing,” Kimminau said. “I can deal with a loss as long as we’re working hard and competing.”
Not all of the Eagles’ top players graduated. Third team all-state linebacker Austin Blankenship, a senior, led them with 114 tackles a year ago. At 6-0, 175 pounds, Kimminau said Blankenship might look like the prototypical middle linebacker, until the ball is snapped.
“He finds the football faster than just about anybody I’ve ever seen,” Kimminau said. “He gets downhill quick and he’s ready to hit somebody.”
That’s what Blankenship said he likes to do.
“I read the play and get to where I need to be and my team helps me do that,” Blankenship said. “I like chasing down (the ballcarrier) and hitting them. That’s the best part. I’m more of a run defender. I feel I can read the run plays well, the counters, powers.”
Blankenship said he wants to make first team all-state this year.
“I just have to keep working hard and have my team behind me,” he said. “I’m going to keep trying to point the guys in the right way and keep this rebuild going until it’s not a rebuild anymore.
“I like the atmosphere here. The coaches and players are great. It’s like a little family.”
Grandview’s run-first offense is the antithesis of the popular spread offenses that pass on most downs. Kimminau said the option attack stays in place despite the turnover in the backfield and on the line. Last season, Wilson (42 carries, 279 yards), junior Camron Hagen (87-588), Eric O’Brien (86-497), Ryan Ruble (84-229) and quarterback Clayton Riddle (93-318) kept defenses guessing on who was carrying the ball. Hagen and junior Nash Moore (33-156) will start at running back.
“They did well when they got reps last year,” Kimminau said.
Junior Jacob Walker was the starting junior varsity quarterback a year ago, making his transition as Riddle’s replacement easier. Plus, Kimminau worked with Walker last year.
“He’s getting a chance to be the leader of the offense and I think he’s ready for that,” Kimminau said. “He wants to compete. He likes to run and that’s OK because we’re utilizing similar option- play styles we used last year and that affords him the opportunity to do those things. He has a decent arm as well.”
Four senior starters on the offensive line have graduated, leaving junior right guard Ethan Ottolini as the only returner. Senior Jayce Poole is a candidate to start at guard or center.
“We have a solid mix of size and quickness,” Kimminau said.
The same can be said on the defensive front. Time will tell who replaces last year’s seniors, and there will be overlap on both sides of the ball. Moore plays middle linebacker and sophomore Owen Potter has been practicing at nose tackle.
Wilson, John Grimm, Preston Isaacson and Ryan Ruble gave the 2021 Eagles great coverage in the secondary to go with solid run support. That unit is under construction too.
“We’re going to find guys ready for the opportunity to fill those positions,” Kimminau said.
O’Brien was honorable mention I-55 all-conference as a kicker a year ago, while the JV didn’t carry a kicker. Open tryouts are being held to fill the void.
Grandview kicks off the season at Class 1 Paris (Mo.), which also has co-op players from Faith Walk and Madison. The Coyotes finished 1-9 last year, their only win coming over Bayless of the I-55 Conference.
“Honestly, I’m not even thinking about opening night,” Kimminau said as he was about to start practice last week. “I’m thinking about practice today. I can guarantee I will be nervous when it gets here. But I’m excited. That’s the biggest thing.”
Grandview Eagles (I-55 Conference)
2021: 7-4
Aug. 27 at Paris with Madison, Faith Walk, 2 p.m.
*Sept. 2 Bayless, 7 p.m.
*Sept. 9 at St. Pius X, 7 p.m.
Sept. 16 at St. Dominic, 7 p.m.
Sept. 23 Perryville, 7 p.m.
*Sept. 30 at Herculaneum, 7 p.m.
*Oct. 7 Jefferson, 7 p.m.
*Oct. 14 at St. Vincent, 7 p.m.
Oct. 21 Chaffee, 7 p.m.