Eighth grader Kaynen Steinbach has made quite the impression this fall on the Stanley-Boyd middle school football field. Known for his hard work and playmaking ability, Steinbach helped lead his team to a big 24–6 win over Fall Creek — a game that will stick with him for a long time.
“When we played Fall Creek this fall, you could really see how much our team improved from last year,” Steinbach said. “In that game, I returned a kickoff for a touchdown and then kicked off to them on the next play. I was able to get down the field quickly after I kicked and instead of tackling the returner, I ripped the ball out of his hands and ran it back for another touchdown.”
Orioles middle school football coach Sam Goettl praised Steinbach’s drive, saying, “Kaynen Steinbach led the attack by setting the tone and determination by playing at a high level which resulted in a 24–6 win over Fall Creek.”
Steinbach’s love for football started early — at just two years old — when he began running routes in the yard with his dad. Over the years, he’s played a variety of positions, beginning as a wide receiver and safety in flag football before moving to running back and linebacker in tackle. This season, he took on a hybrid role, moving between running back and wide receiver, which he says he “really enjoyed.”
Outside of football, Steinbach is a multi-sport athlete, also participating in basketball, baseball, and track. One of his favorite memories with teammates actually came off the field — spending a weekend with many of them at the State Basketball Tournament in La Crosse last spring.
As for what inspires him to play? Steinbach points to his family’s annual trips to Badger football games, a tradition that helped spark his passion for the sport.
With his work ethic and love for competition, Steinbach represents the kind of athlete and teammate every program strives to have. The future looks promising for this young Oriole as he continues to grow both on and off the field.
