By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Hayden, which advanced to the Class 3A sub-state round, and 6A sectional partcipant Washburn Rural combined for 11 Top 22 spots on TopSports.news' All-Shawnee County football team while Highland Park's Tre Richardson and Rural's Ty Weber garnered the top individual honors.
Hayden, which posted a 10-2 record this fall, is represented on the Top 22 by seniors JC Cummings, Ben Evans and Joe Otting, junior Finn Dunshee and sophomore Jensen Schrickel while Washburn Rural, 8-3 on the year, put seniors Weber and Ma'kenttis Adams and juniors Packson Bettis, Branton DeWeese, JC Heim and Titan Osburn on the Top 22.
Highland Park's Richardson, who led the Scots to a breakout 6-3 season, was named the Shawnee County offensive player of the year while Weber was named the county defensive player of the year for the second straight season.
Richardson, a 5-foot-11, 175-pound senior, rushed for 1,964 yards and 27 touchdowns on 96 attempts and caught 40 passes for 1,079 yards and 15 TDs as the Scots snapped a 65-game losing streak in the season-opener and went on to record one of Highland Park's best seasons in school history.
Weber, a 6-3, 230 senior, recorded 134 total tackles (82 solos) with 19 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, three recovered fumbles, two sacks and an interception.
Hayden's Bill Arnold and Washburn Rural's Steve Buhler were named the Shawnee County co-coaches of the year.
Shawnee Heights junior running back Allen Baughman and Hayden's Dunshee, a running back/linebacker, were named the co-offensive newcomers of the year while Washburn Rural junior defensive end Jamond Lane was named the defensive newcomer of the year.
Baughman, 5-8, 180, rushed for 1,496 yards and 20 touchowns on 225 carries for the 5-5 T-Birds while Dunshee, 5-8, 160, rushed for 1,150 yards on 96 attempts and scored 17 total touchdowns for the 10-2 Wildcats.
Lane, 6-0, 280, was in on 44 tackles (23 solos) with six sacks, six tackles for loss, five forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and an interception return for a touchdown.
Rural's Weber and DeWeese, Highland Park's Richardson, Hayden's Otting and Rossville senior Jacob Carver are All-Shawnee County Top 22 repeat picks.
Seaman is represented on the Top 22 by seniors Kasen Hasenkamp, Sean Miller and Bryson Vawter, while Shawnee Heights put Baughman and senior Gavin Zuperku on the Top 22, Silver Lake is represented by juniors Eli Barnes and Tanner Martin, Rossville by Carver and junior Barrett Lietz and Topeka West by senior Malachi Berg.
All 10 Shawnee County high schools have representatives on either the Top 22 or Second 22 teams.
All-Shawnee County Top 22 capsules:
MA'KENTTIS ADAMS, Washburn Rural
A 5-9, 195 senior running back, Adams rushed for 1,396 yards and 17 touchdowns on 155 carries (8.8-yard average) and caught 19 passes for 168 yards and two TDs as Washburn Rural posted an 8-3 record and advanced to the sectional round of the 6A state playoffs.
ELI BARNES, Silver Lake
Barnes, a 5-11, 151 junior, caught 39 passes for 670 yards (17.2 yards per catch) and five touchdowns for the 6-3 Eagles. Barnes also picked off a pair of passes for Silver Lake and recovered a pair of fumbles on the year.
ALLEN BAUGHMAN, Shawnee Heights
A 5-8, 180 junior running back, Baughman was named the TopSports.news co-offensive newcomer of the year after rushing for 1,496 yards and 20 touchowns on 225 carries for the 5-5 T-Birds. Baughman, a first-team All-United Kansas Conference pick, rushed for more than 100 yards in seven games, including 284-yard and 222-yard performances.
MALACHI BERG, Topeka West
A four-year starter at quarterback for the Chargers the 6-2, 190 senior passed for 1,413 yards and five touchdowns while completing 53 percent of his passes. Berg, who is also a basketball standout for West, rushed for 845 yards and nine TDs and also contributed a receiving touchdown and a kickoff return for a TD.
PACKSON BETTIS, Washburn Rural
Bettis, a 6-3, 235 junior defensive end, recorded 61 tackles (38 solos) with 10 sacks, 13 tackles for loss, 12 quarterback pressures and a forced fumble to play a key role for a Washburn Rural team that posted an 8-3 record and advanced to the third round (sectional) of the 6A playofffs.
JACOB CARVER, Rossville
A 6-2, 300 offensive tackle, Carver is a four-year starter for Rossville, helping the Bulldawgs win two 2A state championships, and is a repeat selection on the TopSports.news All-Shawnee County Top 22. Carver is also a star wrestler for Rossville, advancing to the 3A-1A state championship match last season and finishing second. Carver was also All-County in wrestling.
JC CUMMINGS, Hayden
Cummings, a 5-10, 189 senior running back/linebacker, was a leader for Hayden's defensive unit while also rushing for 652 yards on 75 carries, catching six passes for 123 yards and scoring nine touchdowns. Cummings helped the Wildcats post a 10-2 record and reach the 3A sub-state round in the 2022 season.
BRANTON DeWEESE, Washburn Rural
DeWeese, a 6-0, 185 junior, was named to the TopSports.news' Top 22 for the second straight season after completing 143 of 234 pass attempts for 1,884 yards and 25 touchdowns for the 8-3 Junior Blues. DeWeese had a 61 percent completion rate while also rushing for 253 yards and six TDs on 61 attempts..
FINN DUNSHEE, Hayden
Dunshee, 5-8, 160 running back/linebacker, rushed for 1,150 yards on 96 attempts and scored 17 total touchdowns for the 10-2 Wildcats, who advanced to the sub-state round of the 3A playoffs. The all-county co-offensive newcomer of the year, Dunshee caught 10 passes for 207 yards and had five kickoff returns for 231 yards. Dunshee scored on offensive, defense and special teams for Hayden.
BEN EVANS, Hayden
A 6-2, 275 offensive and defensive lineman, Evans was a multi-year starter for the Wildcats, who went 10-2 this past season and advanced to the sub-state round in the 3A playoffs. Evans helped pave the way for a Hayden offensive unit that rushed for 3,032 yards and finished the year with 4,465 yards of total offense.
KASEN HASENKAMP, Seaman
A 6-0, 205 senior defensive lineman, Hasenkamp was a leader in the trenches for the 4-4 Vikings, recording 45 tackles with 11 tackles for loss, six sacks and a forced fumble. Hasenkamp received second-team All-United Kansas Conference recognition on defense as a senior.
JC HEIM, Washburn Rural
Heim, a 6-3, 215 junior outside linebacker, was in on 73 tackles (48 solos) with 15 tackles for loss, five sacks, seven quarterback pressures, five forced fumbles, three recovered fumbles (one for a touchdown) and three blocked punts to help lead Washburn Rural to an 8-3 record and the sectional round of the 6A playoffs.
BARRETT LIETZ, Rossville
A 6-0, 235 junior, Lietz was a standout on both sides of the ball for the 5-5 Bulldawgs at offensive guard and defensive end this fall after playing a key role for Rossville's 2A state championship team in 2021. Lietz was in on 35 tackles this past season with six sacks and six tackles for loss.
TANNER MARTIN, Silver Lake
Martin, a 6-0, 178 junior, completed 134 of 228 pass attempts (58.8 percent) for 2,175 yards and 16 touchdowns as Silver Lake posted a 6-3 record on the season. Martin also rushed for 542 yards and eight TDs on 116 carries and contributed three sacks, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
SEAN MILLER, Seaman
Miller, a 6-2, 230 senior offensive/defensive lineman for the 4-4 Vikings, served as team captain for Seaman and was a first-team All-United Kansas Conference selection on offense as a center. As a junior, Miller earned All-Centennial League second-team recognition before the Vikings moved to the UKC this fall.
TITAN OSBURN, Washburn Rural
A 6-2, 175 junior wide receiver, Osburn had a breakout season for the 8-3 Junior Blues, catching 32 passes for 668 yards and 12 touchdowns while averaging 21.1 yards per catch. Osburn helped Washburn Rural win a pair of playoff games to reach the sectional round of the 6A playoffs.
JOE OTTING, Hayden
Otting, a 6-5, 281 offensive and defensive lineman, is a three-sport standout for the Wildcats who has made an oral commitment to play football at Notre Dame. Otting is an TSN All-Shawnee County Top 22 repeat pick and was also an all-county basketball selection last season and qualified for the state track meet. Otting helped lead the Wildcats to a 10-2 record and a 3A sub-state berth this fall.
TRE RICHARDSON, Highland Park
Also a standout in basketball and a state champion in track and field, Richardson, a 5-11, 175 senior, is a repeat TSN All-Shawnee County Top 22 selection and earned first-team All-Meadowlark Conferenc recognition at receiver and was named conference offensive player of the year. Richardson rushed for 1,964 yards and 27 touchdowns on 96 attempts and caught 40 passes for 1,079 yards and 15 TDs. Richardson also had 868 return yards and passed for 144 yards and three TDs.
JENSEN SCHRICKEL, Hayden
Schrickel, a 5-9, 145 sophomore, was a standout on offense, defense and special teams for the 10-2 Wildcats, who made it to the 3A sub-state round. Schrickel caught 35 passes for 686 yards, carried the ball 10 times for 182 yards, kicked two field goals and 31 of 33 extra points, had three punt returns for 124 yards four kickoff returns for 126 yards. Schrickel scored 18 total touchdowns
BRYSON VAWTER, Seaman
A 6-1, 210 senior running back/linebacker, Vawter rushed for 626 yards and eight touchdowns for the 4-4 Vikings and also registered 62 tackles with six tackles for loss and a fumble recovery. Also an All-Stater in baseball, Vawter was an All-United Kansas Conference first-team selection at running back and received honorable mention at linebacker. Vawter received second-team All-Centennial League honors as a junior.
TY WEBER, Washburn Rural
Weber, a 6-3, 230 senior inside linebacker, was named the TopSports.news Shawnee County defensive player of the year for the second straight seaon after helping lead the Junior Blues to an 8-3 record and the third round of the 6A playoffs. Weber recorded 134 total tackles (82 solos) with 19 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, three recovered fumbles, two sacks and an interception.
GAVIN ZUPERKU, Shawnee Heights
A 6-1, 240 senior offensive lineman, Zuperku was a three-year starter for the T-Birds, who posted a 5-5 record in the 2022 season. Zuperku earned first-team All-United Kansas Conference honors as a senior after helping pave the way for Shawnee Heights to gain 2,014 rushing yards and 2,644 total yards this fall.
TopSports.news All-Shawnee County Football
Top 22
Player, school Pos. Ht. Wt. Gr.
Ma'kenttis Adams, Washburn Rural RB 5-9 195 Sr.
Eli Barnes, Silver Lake WR/DB 5-11 151 Jr.
Allen Baughman, Shawnee Heights RB 5-8 180 Jr.
Malachi Berg, Topeka West QB 6-2 190 Sr.
Packson Bettis, Washburn Rural DL 6-3 235 Jr.
Jacob Carver, Rossville OL 6-2 300 Sr..
JC Cummings, Hayden RB/LB 5-10 189 Sr.
Branton DeWeese, Washburn Rural QB 6-0 185 Jr.
Finn Dunshee, Hayden RB/LB 5-8 160 Jr.
Ben Evans, Hayden OL/DL 6-2 275 Sr.
Kasen Hasenkamp, Seaman DL 6-0 205 Sr.
JC Heim, Washburn Rural LB 6-3 215 Jr..
Barrett Lietz, Rossville OL/DE 6-0 235 Jr.
Tanner Martin, Silver Lake QB 6-0 178 Jr.
Sean Miller, Seaman OL/DL 6-2 230 Sr.
Titan Osburn, Washburn Rural WR 6-2 175 Jr.
Joe Otting, Hayden OL/DL 6-5 281 Sr.
Tre Richardson, Highland Park WR/Ret. 6-0 175 Sr.
Jensen Schrickel, Hayden WR/DB/K 5-9 145 So.
Bryson Vawter, Seaman RB/LB 6-1 210 Sr.
Ty Weber, Washburn Rural LB 6-3 230 Sr.
Gavin Zuperku, Shawnee Heights OL 6-1 240 Sr.
Second 22
Player, school Pos. Ht. Wt. Gr.
Callen Barta, Seaman WR/DB 6-3 180 Jr
Jayden Berry, Shawnee Heights DB 5-8 155 Sr.
Jack Bloom, Seaman RB/DB 6-0 185 Jr.
Jachin Bonura, Cair Paravel WR/Ret. 5-9 150 Sr.
Carter Charvat, Hayden OL/DL 6-2 210 Jr.
Wyatt Conklin, Washburn Rural LB 6-2 200 Sr.
A'ydran Drew-Gregory, Highland Park WR/DB 6-2 170 Sr.
Christian Gonzales, Shawnee Heights DL 6-1 280 Jr.
Lukas Hanks, Washburn Rural TE 6-4 230 Sr.
Troy Heiman, Silver Lake WR 6-2 165 Sr.
Braiden Hensley, Rossville SB 6-0 185 Sr.
Mackey James, HIghland Park LB 5-10 215 Sr.
Jaye Jones, Shawnee Heights DB 5-11 180 Sr.
Jamond Lane, Washburn Rural DE 6-0 280 Jr.
Jayden Moore, Shawnee Heights WR/DB 5-11 165 Jr.
Jayden Norman, Topeka High WR 5-11 160 So.
Kade Perine, Rossville SB 5-8 155 Sr.
Braydn Rose, Hayden RB/LB 5-9 179 Sr.
Amr Sabbarini, Washburn Rural WR 6-0 185 Sr.
Shane Sexton, Washburn Rural OL 5-10 255 Jr.
Peyton Wheat, Topeka High QB 6-0 190 Sr.
Sean Wunder, Shawnee Heights LB 6-0 200 Sr.
Honorable mention
Cair Paravel: Tague Adams, sr; Jesiah Bonura, jr.; Jude Borchers, sr.;Cameron Brian, fr; Noah Collins, jr.; Logan Pasta, jr; Evan Will, jr. Hayden: Jude Konrade, jr.; Ayden McGibboney, fr.; Treyton Tetuan, so.; Josiah Todwong, jr.; Jett Wahlmeier, so. Highland Park: Andrian Burney, so; Kei'Juan Johnson, sr.; Andres Ochoa-Perez, fr.; Isaac Shafer, jr. Rossville: Trenton Barker, sr.; Brock Bush, so.; Camden Horak, jr.; Mahliq Jackson, sr.; Aryon Klesath, sr; Cedric Leistenschneider, jr. Seaman: Logan Cox, sr.; Max Huston, so.; Kaden Jordan, so.; Jaxson Thomas, sr. Shawnee Heights: Rykan Carver, jr.; Carson Christian, sr.; Alex Dawkins, jr.; Alex Dittman, jr.; Aiden Fennell, sr.; Nick Freeland, sr.; Jayden Holly, jr.; Jacob Malcom, jr.; Alex McHardie, jr.; Ben Penrod, sr. Silver Lake: Brody Deiter, so.; Braxton McDaniel, sr.; Blake Redmond, jr.; Chase Root, jr.; Kaden Walker, sr. Topeka High: BJ Canady, jr.; Tevante Ewing, so.; Elijah Kincade, jr.; Isaiah Kincade, sr.; Jaziah Mack, jr.; Malachi Murph, fr. Topeka West: Xavier Alexander, sr.; Jace Banks, jr.; Drake Coffman, jr.; Eadrian Cooper, so.; Kamen Jones, sr.; Souky Phommasane, sr.; Kyrece Robinson, jr. Washburn Rural: Carson Alfonsi, sr.; Caden Estrada, so.; Zach Franco, sr.; Jacob Hawks, so; Jaren Heim, jr.; Nate Miller, jr.; TJ Minikwu, fr.; Jaiden Shahid, sr; Dayten Smoot, sr.; Walker Thompson, sr.; Daniel VanWagoner, sr.;
Offensive player of the year -- Tre Richardson, sr., Highland Park.
Defensive player of the year -- Ty Weber, sr., Washburn Rural.
Co-offensive newcomers of the year -- Allen Baughman, jr., Shawnee Heights, and Finn Dunshee, jr., Hayden.
Defensive newcomer of the year -- Jamond Lane, jr., Washburn Rural.
Co-Coaches of the year -- Bill Arnold, Hayden, and Steve Buhler, Washburn Rural