(Glenwood) – Glenwood junior star Caden Johnson had a career-best year last football season. Today, he is the KMAland Boys Football Player of the Year.
Johnson’s 30-goal season broke a school record and helped push the Rams to the brink of the state tournament.
“I knew I wanted to attack more,” Johnson said of his season. “Finishing around the goal, and my teammates really helped me get the ball into deep areas where I could finish. It was a really great season.”
Johnson was one of 15 athletes statewide to score at least 30 goals, and he was one of only eight to also have at least 10 assists.
“I think I was more physical on the ball (this year),” Johnson said of his improvements from his second season. “I got stronger in the offseason and I could keep the ball better at my feet. And the pace of play. I was a little faster on the ball and off the ball, running errands, and my teammates found me when I ran errands.
As Johnson prepared for his record-breaking season, the Rams had their winningest season in eight years, posting 15 wins and advancing to a Class 2A substate final. Two of their three losses this season have come to eventual state champion Lewis Central.
“I think it gives us a little bit more hope that we were that group that could have been successful too,” Johnson said. “It was unfortunate, but we were so close to getting our own substate and meeting Lewis Central at the state tournament. It was a great season all around, we stood up to all the teams and did what we had to do in every game of the season.
Johnson is Glenwood’s first winner of the KMAland Boys Football Player of the Year award, joining Keaton Mann (Treynor) and Cole Jensen (Lewis Central) as previous winners. Listen to the full interview with Johnson below.
PREVIOUS WINNERS OF KMALAND BOYS FOOTBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR
2021: Keaton Mann, Treynor
2019: Cole Jensen, Lewis Central
2018: Cole Jensen, Lewis Central
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