Each year since 2006, MaxPreps has recognized outstanding performers in high school football. America's source for high school sports continues the tradition to close out the 2025 season by naming the top player in each state. Selections are based on team success and individual excellence in addition to local and state accolades.
Brody Schafer of
Lincoln (Sioux Falls) is the 2025 MaxPreps South Dakota High School Football Player of the Year. The 6-foot, 180-pound junior quarterback led the Patriots to a 10-2 record and Class 11AAA runner-up state finish.
For the season, Schafer completed 186 of 300
passes for 3,023 yards and 39 touchdowns. He added 143 carries for 1,288
yards on the ground and 18 more scores. He averaged 359.3 yards of total offense and nearly five touchdowns per
game.
In a 34-27 loss against Brandon Valley (Brandon) in the 11AAA state championship game, Schafer threw for 244 yards and two touchdowns to go with 138 yards on the ground and two more scores.
Schafer rushed for over 300 yards and four scores in a 42-28 win over Jefferson (Sioux Falls) in the semifinals, adding 169 yards through the air.
As a sophomore, Schafer led the Patriots to a 11AAA state title after accounting for 348 yards of total offense and three touchdowns in a 31-21 win over Brandon Valley. Over the last two seasons he has led Lincoln to a 21-3 record as the starting quarterback, throwing for 4,999 yards and 64 touchdowns to go with 2,103 yards on the ground and 31 more scores.
Each state's MaxPreps Player of the Year will be considered for inclusion in the MaxPreps All-America Team.
Past MaxPreps South Dakota Players of the Year
2020 — Tate Johnson, RB, Brandon Valley (Brandon)
2021 — Jacob Knuth, QB, Harrisburg
2022 — Lincoln Kienholz, QB, Riggs (Pierre)
2023 — Jack Smith, QB, Lincoln (Sioux Falls)
2024 — Landon Dulaney, WR, Brandon Valley (Brandon)
