Kansas Pregame 8-Man Top 8: Kaden Schafer

Kansas Pregame polled 8-Man coaches earlier this month who voted for the top four seniors they coached against this season. Kansas Pregame staffers then used those votes to develop a Top 8 list of seniors for each division. Kansas Pregame will provide features for each of the 16 Top 8 selections. Check out the eighth of those profiles below:

Kaden Schafer, OL/DL, 5-10, 230, Little River, 8-Man Division I

Kaden Schafer was a pivotal cog on one of the best offensive lines in the state during the 2021 season. The senior switched between center and guard halfway through the season and shared the interior line with fellow Pregame Top 8 selection, senior guard Kyle Bruce, as well as all-state honorable mention Carter Holloway - who swapped positions with Schafer.

The trio allowed Little River’s skill position players to run amok all season long, totalling 4,447 yards of offense on the year, even more impressive considering the graduation of standouts Graham Stephens and Jayden Garrison off last year’s title team. At 5-10, 230 pounds, Schafer was able to utilize his powerful build to move defenders almost at will.

“His footwork and physicality set him apart,” coach Kevin Ayers said. “He is aggressive and quick off the ball and can move people. He is a warrior in the weight room and that mentality translates to the field.”
 
The senior’s intelligence and outward personality were also valuable assets for his team.

“Kaden played guard and center for us and was our vocal leader,” coach Kevin Ayers said. “He has an excellent working knowledge of our scheme and communicates that with his teammates.”
 
For Schafer, a leadership role wasn’t tough to step into.

“It came pretty natural,” Schafer said. “In school I was always known for being loud. We lost some great leaders the year before so I knew that there were some big shoes to fill.”

The shoes Schafer is referring to are those of a senior class that went 34-9 over their four years and capped it all off with an 11-2 state championship season in 2020.

Schafer and company didn’t disappoint, and for as valuable as he was on offense, the senior was every bit as important defensively, finishing the season with 72 tackles, 15 tackles-for-loss, 3.5 sacks, three hurries, an interception, three deflected passes, two fumble recoveries, and a blocked punt.

Little River won their first 12 games of the season and earned a spot in the state championship game with a chance to repeat, but it wasn’t to be, as Meade would not be denied a 22-14 title game victory.

While Schafer, like anyone else, would’ve preferred a state title over runner-up, there is more to his connection with his team, coaches, and community than what is placed in the win-loss column.

“I would say being a family more than a football team [is what we attribute to our success], Schafer said. “Coach Ayers preaches that all the time and I firmly believe it; ‘We play harder as a family.’ Also, the coaches, without their knowledge, we wouldn’t have gotten far. And last, the fans, they bring a great atmosphere to the field every time we step on the field to play.”

After he finishes his senior season, Schafer plans to attend Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology.

“I had a blast playing with the team,” Schafer said. “We had some great players and great coaches. I made lots of memories that will last a lifetime!”

*Editor's Note: Kansas Pregame has opted to include only seniors in our Top 8 list in an effort to reward them for their success in high school. This year, especially in Division II, there were a number of top players who were juniors. Axtell's Isaac Detweiler, Wheatland-Grinnell's Jett Vincent and Thunder Ridge's Dylan Bice are just a few of those likely among the Top 8 players in the classification. Fortunately, multiple other outlets have recognized those athletes for their contributions this season and Kansas Pregame will consider each of them for feature coverage in our 2022 Football Preview along with the many other top returning players from across the state.