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Tom Lane State Farm Insurance Male Athlete Of The Month: Grady Farrell Emerges As Three-Sport Force For Eagles

From deep touchdown catches to a buzzer-beating basketball shot, Farrell has become a consistent source of big moments for the Eagles.

Chris Rhodes, Reporter

Aug 26, 2026 9:49 AM Aug 26, 2026 5:01 PM

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BETHALTO — Grady Farrell, a member of the Civic Memorial High School Class of 2027, has continued to make an impact for the Eagles in Bethalto through contributions in football, basketball, and track and field.

Farrell, a wide receiver and defensive back, opened the 2026 football season as one of Civic Memorial’s top playmakers in a 36-26 victory over Newton this past Friday night. He caught three touchdown passes from quarterback Luke Clouser and finished with 134 receiving yards.

Grady is a Tom Lane State Farm Insurance Male Athlete Of The Month for the Eagles.

His first touchdown came on Civic Memorial’s opening offensive play, when Clouser connected with Farrell on a 76-yard scoring pass. Farrell also played a key role in the Eagles’ 2025 victory over Jersey, catching four passes for 133 yards and three touchdowns.

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"I was nervous all week before the Newton game, and I've been watching film nonstop, and I was able to get it done." CM wide receiver Grady Farrell said

With his ability to make plays down the field, Farrell enters the 2026 season as one of the players opposing defenses will have to account for.

"Grady is a playmaker; sometimes when you have guys like Grady, it's awesome. You can't coach that. He jumped up in double coverage to get that third touchdown, and it was awesome," CM football coach Nick Smith said.

Farrell also delivered a memorable moment on the basketball court. Civic Memorial head boys basketball coach Lee Green described Farrell’s half-court launch for a 57-55 win over Highland on Dec. 22, 2025, as “a moment Grady and his family and teammates will remember for the rest of their lives.”

The shot came from about 50 feet from the basket at the buzzer and served as a literal buzzer-beater for Civic Memorial.

In track and field, Farrell helped the Eagles’ boys 4x200 relay team break a school record at the O’Fallon Relays. The team of Parker Walters, Ty Books, Reed Wallace and Farrell recorded a time of 1:33.22, breaking a mark that had stood since 1979.