By Ken Hansard

Fredonia senior Kadyn Ellis, a running back and defensive back for the Yellowjackets, had the kind of season last year that makes others take notice.  He amassed an eye-opening 73 tackles, including five tackles for loss and four sacks.  He also forced a fumble, recorded an interception and four PBU’s and was credited with forcing a safety.  Those numbers were a large part of the reason why Ellis was named by coaches to the All-League Team (Tri-Valley) and was additionally named to the All-District Team.  And now Ellis is being recognized as VYPE’s Poll Winner at D-Back for the Southeast Kansas region.

Ellis comes by his passion for the sport naturally, as a result of his father’s love of the game, “My dad has always loved football.  He’s helped coach at a lot of places, and he has a very good football IQ. When I was younger, we would go around the state – and sometimes around the country – just to watch high school football. He is the reason I love the sport so much and the reason I have a great understanding of the game.”

That “understanding of the game” has led him to many honors and has consequently helped him to earn the respect of his teammates, “I want to be leader both by voice and by action, and I strive to be someone everyone knows they can rely on. Both teammates and coaches expect a lot out of me on both sides of the ball, and I want to live up to that.”

Ellis also wants to help get his team over an obstacle that has been in their path recently.  “Fredonia has been 4-5 the last three seasons, and that is our biggest challenge – to best that record. We have a very talented team this year and hope to win out.”

To show just how resolved he is, Kadyn made some impressive gains in the weight room during the off-season, “During the offseason, Coach Svaty helped me establish a diet, and I lived in the weight room, putting on 10 pounds and increasing all of my lifting maxes by a substantial amount.”

Overall, Ellis just wants to enjoy one final season of high school ball.  His goals are simple and straightforward, “We obviously want to win more games, and I’d really like to play well enough to be recognized, as All-State, but what I am really excited about is playing at Gene John stadium in front of our town – that, and just playing one last season with my team.”

Kadyn also plays baseball for the Yellowjackets and is involved in FCCLA. He sports a 3.6 GPA in the classroom and is planning to play football collegiately.  He hopes to study to someday become a Physical Therapist.