Breakout Stars and Unstoppable Coaches: Inside the 2025 Journal-World All-Area Football Team
A Year to Remember: The Coach Leading the Charge
In 2025, the Journal-World All-Area Football Team showcases incredible talent, as selected by our dedicated sports staff. Leading the charge is Drew Steffen, the Eudora Cardinals’ visionary head coach. Revered as the Coach of the Year, Steffen’s strategic prowess was instrumental in Eudora’s remarkable season, boasting the best regular-season record in the 4A East and a strong playoff performance. His leadership transformed the team’s offensive and defensive lines, creating a formidable force.
Player of the Year: Cage Crabill’s Unwavering Influence
The spotlight also shines on Cage Crabill, named Player of the Year. His remarkable efforts in the Frontier League as a senior center and defensive lineman propelled Eudora to a stellar 9-2 record, including an undefeated 6-0 league stretch. Crabill’s contributions were crucial in shaping the Cardinals’ winning campaign.
Rising Stars and Game Changers
Jaxon Becker from Lawrence High enchanted audiences with his finesse. Garnering second-team all-Sunflower League honors, Becker caught 32 passes for 452 yards, becoming the school’s all-time leading receiver. His teammate Josh Galbreath excelled as a linebacker, leading the league in sacks and earning first-team recognition. At Perry-Lecompton, Amos Brackenhoff was a force of nature, accumulating 859 rushing yards, delivering 94 tackles, and standing out in the Big East selection.
Power and Precision: The Linemen’s Dominance
Eudora’s Leland Bradshaw and Grayson Moody exemplify the raw power of their trenches. Bradshaw’s tenacity as a guard and defensive tackle pushed the team forward, while Moody trailed impressive stats with 1,500 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns. Over at Free State, Maddon Brittingham and quarterback Finn Moore were crucial gears in the offensive engine, driving pivotal moments throughout the season.
Behind the Defensive Line: Baldwin’s Brenden O’Connor
For Baldwin, Brenden O’Connor helmed the defense, showcasing agility and tactical acumen. With 72 tackles, O’Connor was instrumental in Baldwin’s defense, earning second-team honors for his impressive performances.
Celebrating Excellence
This showcase concludes with Honorable Mentions, applauding athletes who left their indelible marks on and off the field, embodying the spirit of teamwork and perseverance.
The 2025 Journal-World All-Area Football Team displays not just athletic excellence but also the resilience and passion that define high school sports. As stated in Lawrence Journal-World, these athletes and coaches paint a promising picture of what’s to come.
