KFBCA Top 11: Brayden Kunz

The Kansas Football Coaches Association picked their All-State teams in early December, including the All-Class Top 11. Kansas Pregame is providing capsules for each of the Top 11 selections. Check out Conway Springs running back and linebacker Brayden Kunz's capsule below. For a look at the complete 2023 KFBCA All-State teams click here.

After a rocky 0-2 start against CPL powers Garden Plain and Kingman, there was simply no stopping Conway Springs on their path to a 1A state title. The Cardinals reeled off 11 straight victories and punctuated the season with a 35-6 state championship victory over Jefferson County North.

The victory was the school’s eighth total state title, but the first since 2011, the first in 1A, and the second in Matt Biehler’s 15 seasons as head coach after he led the Cardinals to a 3A title in the previously mentioned 2011 season.

Leading the way for Conway Springs was senior running back Brayden Kunz, a 6-2, 205 pound two-way force that has dominated on the gridiron over the last three seasons.

Kunz primarily waited in the wings as a freshman, getting on the field for special teams and mop-up duty with 140 total yards and two total touchdowns, along with 18 tackles and an interception, for a team that finished 8-2 after a 1A quarterfinals loss to Inman.

It was in his sophomore season that his abilities began to emerge through the medium of Biehler's latest iteration of Conway Springs’ famed single wing, carrying the ball 128 times for 1,120 yards, and 18 TDs on 8.8 yards per carry, along with career highs of three receptions for 100 yards and two TDs.

The sophomore’s star also began to shine defensively, where he recorded 58 tackles, 8.5 tackles-for-loss, two fumble recoveries, and a sack.

Kunz’s efforts earned him first team All-CPL honors and helped the Cardinals to an 8-3 record with another appearance in the state quarterfinals where they were again defeated by Inman. 

As a junior, Kunz became the centerpiece of the Conway Springs offense, more than doubling his touches and yardage from the year before with 300 carries for 2,266 yards and 27 TDs on 7.6 yards per carry.

Defensively his impact was massive as well, with 85 tackles, 10.5 tackles-for-loss, five sacks, two interceptions, a pass deflection, three fumble recoveries, and a defensive TD.

According to his coach, Kunz’s abilities don’t just stem from his physical dominance on the field.

“Brayden is a tremendous student of the game,” Biehler said. “He understands his opponent and the play developing.”

And along with that studious nature is a dogged determination to succeed.

“Brayden is never satisfied,” Biehler said. “He continues to work on strength, speed, and endurance to be as dominant as possible. He also prepares by watching film on his opponents.”

After an 0-3 start, the Cardinals’ two-way star and his team embarked on a seven game win streak that led them to the state semifinals, but they were again defeated by Inman and ended their season 7-4.

Kunz received All-State honors at both running back and linebacker, along with 1A Defensive Player of the Year from Sports in Kansas. At this point, the junior had built considerable hype going into his senior season.

Kunz proved it was more than just hype as he carried the ball 295 times for a school record 2,806 yards and 24 TDs on 9.5 yards per carry with a 215.8 yards per game average. He also threw two TDs on three pass attempts. 

Defensively, he recorded 108 tackles, five tackles-for-loss, a forced fumble, and an interception.

“He was a workhorse,” Biehler said. “Gaining a school record 2,806 yards and 300 yards in the championship game, he was a major part of our offense. He also would dominate on the defensive side from his inside linebacker position. He has the ability to play sideline to sideline and always in the play.”

During the Cardinals 11 game stretch of wins that resulted in a title, Conway Springs managed to get payback on Inman in a 37-8 regular season drubbing of a 3-6 Teuton squad.

Along with their revenge win, Kunz and company also took on league opponent Medicine Lodge twice, once in a 40-34 Week 4 matchup, and then again 1A state semifinals, where they again overcame the Indians 34-19.

“Brayden is a force to be reckoned with on offense,” head coach Nick Schmidt said. “We sat in the coaches office and pondered on what was the best way to stop him when he has such an incredible line in front of him and he is such a strong runner. We schemed and schemed, and we played them twice giving up a combined 500-plus rushing yards. I look forward to helping coach him in the Shrine Bowl. He is well deserving and one of the better athletes in the state of Kansas”

Along with his ability to dominate statistically, Kunz also has the ability to help lift his teammates.

“Brayden is the type of leader that uses his voice to motivate, encourage, and bring the best out in those around him,” Biehler said. “Also, the type that goes to work and others follow his example.”

Along with his KFBCA Top 11 nod, Kunz earned All-State and All-League on both offense and defense, a Shrine Bowl selection, and 1A Offensive Player of the Year by Sports in Kansas, among other accolades.

Kunz has a DI offer to play football for Southeast Missouri State, along with countless DII and JUCO offers. But the decision to play college football is complicated for Kunz, who along with being among the top 11 seniors in the state, is also a top 20 calf roper in the world and is a national finalist in high school rodeo. 

The “Conway Springs Cowboy,” as he’s been coined by Chet Kuplen of Sports in Kansas, now has a tough decision to make on whether to compete in football, rodeo, or both.

“He plans to continue playing football,” Biehler said. “He is a 4.0 student-athlete that is up for our Valedictorian this year. He also is tremendous in rodeo and works hard to remain one of the top in the nation. He has a difficult decision to make but I know with a very supportive family he will make the best one for him.”