Photo by Avery Wells (Avery Wells)
By Aizak Miller
The Jag
It was getting late in the second half and the Blue Springs South Jaguars were down 2-1 on senior night to the Staley Falcons. The Jags had already beaten Staley earlier in the year 5-1 at Staley. The Jaguars senior forward Kaden Edwards with 5 minutes left in regulation tied the game at 2-2 and the single season goal record was officially broken.
“Breaking the record was great but none of it would be possible without my teammates and coaches,” Edwards said. “If I play bad, they are always there for me and supportive of me and if I play good, they are always happy for me, so without them this would not be possible.”
He has been playing soccer ever since he was 5 years old, making this season his 13th season. Breaking this record meant a lot to Edwards and it made him feel relieved with all his commitment and time invested into soccer.
“I’ve spent most of my life practicing and working so to finally get this reward it feels like all my hard work has paid off,” Edwards said.
One of his teammates and good friend, Alex Hunt, has been through it all with Edwards. They have played together since kindergarten and have been good friends ever since. Hunt said watching him break the record meant a lot to him.
“It’s been really cool to watch him progress and be right by his side the whole time, and to see him accomplish something like this makes me really happy for him,” Hunt said.
Coach Todd Findley was very complimentary about who Kaden is as a player and person.
“He is an amazing soccer player with strength and touch and shot, the greatest forward in the school’s history,” Findley said. “As a person he is high character, always does the right thing, one of the highest GPAs on the team, he acts and plays with poise and control. I can’t say enough about his character.”
Edwards being who he is has helped Coach Findley be a better coach.
“Kaden helps me show the younger players a true role model of success and how to handle yourself,” Findley said. “As a captain, he has shown me and others how somebody truly guides a team and handles success.”
Handling success is a trait that Kaden has for when he broke the record. He was focused on just winning the game.
“When I broke the record, I was excited, but I was like let’s just get this win,” Edwards said.
The Jaguars went 14-7-1 and 9-5 for 2nd place in conference. Coach Findley was happy with what this team accomplished.
“I’m extremely happy with what this group accomplished,” Findley said.
Being a team player is not easy, but it is something Coach Findley admires about Edwards.
“I think he’s shown younger players how to improve their game year by year, and while doing that representing yourself and your team with poise, control, and humbleness. He does not need or want the attention. He does it for the team,” Findley said.
With Blue Springs South soccer season ending, Kaden Edwards has left a legacy. He will not forget all the memories and teammates/coaches who have made the last 4 years special for him.
“Without them my high school career would not have been what it was. I am so thankful for all of them and for what impact they made on me as a person and player,” Edwards said. “I have made some of the best memories with these guys the last couple of years.”
