By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Hayden, which advanced to the Class 3A state championship game for the second straight season, and 5A quarterfinalist and United Kansas Conference champion Seaman combined for 10 Top 22 spots to lead the TopSports.news' 2024 All-Shawnee County football team.
Hayden, which posted a 11-2 record this fall, is represented on the Top 22 by senior three-time honoree Jensen Schrickel along with seniors Broderick Desch, Treyton Tetuan and Jett Wahlmeier and juniors Jude Krentz and Kade while Seaman, 8-3 on the year, put seniors Briar Finley, Max Huston and Kaden Jordan and junior Cameron Brian on the Top 22.
Seaman quarterback Huston and wide receiver Finley were named the Shawnee County co-offensive players of the year while Jordan, a nose tackle, was named the county defensive player of the year and Brian was selected as the defensive newcomer of the year.
Hayden's Schrickel was selected as the Shawnee County all-purpose athlete of the year while Wildcat coach Bill Arnold, now 222-68 as a head coach, was named the county coach of the year.
Shawnee Heights junior quarterback Aiden Scott was a Top 22 pick and selected as the county offensive newcomer of the year after throwing for more than 3,100 yards.
Washburn Rural senior safety Kingston Leonard joins Schrickel and Huston as All-Shawnee County Top 22 repeat selections while the Junior Blues are also represented on the Top 22 by senior linemen Caden Estrada and Jacob Hawks.
Shawnee Heights also put junior Tyren Parker on the all-county Top 22, while 1A semifinalist Rossville is represented by senior Tayson Horak and junior Conner Bush, Silver Lake by senior Braden Strausbaugh and junior Dayne Johnson, Highland Park by seniors Ricky Crawford and Jamon Wilson and Topeka High by senior Jayden Norman.
All 10 Shawnee County high schools have representatives on either the Top 22, Second 22 or honorable mention list. Five county teams won at least six games this fall, with four winning at least one playoff contest.
TopSports.news selected the 2024 All-Shawnee County team after receiving input from county head coaches.
All-Shawnee County Top 22 capsules:
Cameron Brian, Seaman
CAMERON BRIAN, Seaman
A 6-foot-1, 195-pound junior linebacker, Brian was named the Shawnee County defensive newcomer of the year in his first season at Seaman after transferring from Cair Paravel Latin. Brian received All-United Kansas Conference first-team honors after helping the 8-3 Vikings win the conference title and advance to the Class 5A quarterfinals. Brian was in on 112 total tackles this fall with 10 tackles for loss.
Conner Bush, Rossville
CONNER BUSH, Rossville
A 5-foot-11, 176-pound junior running back/defensive back, Bush is a first-time All-Shawnee County honoree after helping lead the Bulldawgs to the Class 1A state semifinals and an 8-4 record. Bush carried the ball 79 times for 690 yards and 10 touchdown, caught 11 passes for 100 yards and a TD and led Rossville with 120 total tackles, including nine tackles for loss. Bush received All-Big East honorable mention on defense.
Ricky Crawford, Highland Park
RICKY CRAWFORD, Highland Park
Crawford, a 5-foot-10, 175-pound senior linebacker, earned All-Meadowlark Conference first-team honors this fall after helping Highland Park post a 6-3 record. Crawford was in on 46 total tackles for the Scots (32 solo stops) and had five tackles for loss, four sacks, two fumble recoveries and a touchdown. Crawford moves up to the All-Shawnee County Top 22 after earning Second 22 recognition as a junior.
Broderick Desch, Hayden
BRODERICK DESCH, Hayden
Desch, a 5-foot-9, 195-pound senior fullback/defensive tackle, moves up to the All-Shawnee County Top 22 after receiving honorable mention in 2023. Desch helped the Wildcats advance to the Class 3A state championship game for the second straight season, carrying the ball 78 times 436 yards and scored 13 touchdowns. He was also in on 20 tackles with three tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
Caden Estrada, Washburn Rural
CADEN ESTRADA, Washburn Rural
A 6-foot-1, 285-pound senior, Estrada filled several roles on the offensive line for the 3-6 Junior Blues and moves up to the All-Shawnee County Top 22 after being a Second 22 pick as a junior. Estrada earned first-team All-Centennial League recognition the past two seasons (the 2024 team has not been released) and helped Washburn Rural post an 11-1 record and advance to the Class 6A semifinals his junior season.
Bryer Finley, Seaman
BRYER FINLEY, Seaman
Finley, a 6-foot-5, 195-pound senior wide receiver, was named the Shawnee County co-offensive player of the year and the United Kansas Conference offensive player after catching 82 passes for 1,556 yards and 21 touchdowns in 2024. Finley helped lead the Vikings to an 8-3 record and the UKC championship. Finley received Second 22 All-Shawnee County recognition as a junior.
Jacob Hawks, Washburn Rural
JACOB HAWKS, Washburn Rural
A 6-foot-9, 315-pound senior offensive tackle, Hawks finished off a banner career for Washburn Rural this fall and moves up to the All-Shawnee County Top 22 after being a Second 22 pick as a junior. Hawks earned first-team All-Centennial League recognition as a junior (the 2024 team has not been released) after helping the Junior Blues post an 11-1 record and advance to the Class 6A semifinals.
Tayson Horak, Rossville
TAYSON HORAK, Rossville
A 5-foot-9, 156-pound senior quarterback/defensive back, Horak moves up to the All-Shawnee County Top 22 after being a Second 22 selection in 2023. Horak led Rossville to the Class 1A state semifinals and an 8-4 record this fall, completing 101 of 172 passes for 1,507 yards and 17 touchdowns and carrying the ball 147 times for 1,132 yards and 15 TDs. Defensively Horak was in on 42 tackles. Horak was a first-team All-Big East pick as an all-purposee player.
Max Huston, Seaman
MAX HUSTON, Seaman
Huston, a 6-foot-1, 185-pound senior quarterback, completed 170 of 266 passes for 2,532 yards and 29 touchdowns and rushed for 779 yards and 13 TDs as the Vikings posted an 8-3 record and advanced to the quarterfinal round of the Class 5A playoffs. Huston was named the Shawnee County co-offensive player of the year with teammate Bryer Finley and was an All-United Kansas Conference first-team pick and All-Shawnee County Top 22 selection for the second straight season.
Dayne Johnson, Silver Lake
DAYNE JOHNSON, Silver Lake
Johnson, a 6-foot-2, 175-pound junior wide receiver/defensive back, had a big year on both sides of the ball for 7-3 Silver Lake. Johnson caught 51 passes for 835 yards and nine touchdowns and spearheaded the Eagles' defense, including six interceptions on the year. Johnson earned first-team recognition on both sides of the ball on the All-Big East League team. Johnson received all-county honorable mention as a sophomore.
Kaden Jordan, Seaman
KADEN JORDAN, Seaman
A 6-foot-2, 305-pound senior nose tackle, Jordan was named the Shawnee County defensive player of the year and was an All-United Kansas Conference first-team selection after helping lead the Vikings to an 8-3 record, the UKC championship and the Class 5A quarterfinals. Jordan was in on 57 total tackles with 15 tackles for loss, two sacks and a forced fumble. Jordan moves up to the All-Shawnee County Top 22 this fall after being a Second 22 pick in 2023.
Jude Krentz, Hayden
JUDE KRENTZ, Hayden
A 5-foot-8, 180-pound junior linebacker, Krentz led the Hayden defense with 132 tackles as the Wildcats posted an 11-2 record and advanced to the Class 3A state championship game for a second straight season. Krentz also saw spot duty on offense, carrying the ball 21 times for 128 yards.
Kingston Leonard, Washburn Rural
KINGSTON LEONARD, Washburn Rural
Leonard, a 5-foot-10, 180-pound senior safety, is one of three All-Shawnee County Top 22 repeat selections after completing a standout career for the Junior Blues. Leonard turned in another strong season for the 3-6 Junior Blues this fall after a breakout year as a junior, helping Rural post an 11-1 record and advance to the Class 6A semifinals while ranking among the state leaders with nine interceptions, including one pick six.
Kade Mitchell, Hayden
KADE MITCHELL, Hayden
Mitchell, a 5-foot-8, 170-pound junior running back/defensive back, moves up to the All-Shawnee County Top 22 this season after receiving Second 22 honors and being named the co-offensive newcomer of the year as a sophomore. Mitchell carried the ball 104 times for 808 yards, caught 34 passes for 543 yards and scored 26 total touchdowns this season for the 11-2 Wildcats while being in on 72 tackles (48 solo) with three interceptions.
Jayden Norman, Topeka High
JAYDEN NORMAN, Topeka High
A 6-foot-1, 180-pound senior, Norman helped lead Topeka High to a much-improved 4-5 record this season, excelling as a receiver while also handling the punting and placekicking duties for the Trojans. Norman moves up to the All-Shawnee County Top 22 after receiving honorable mention last fall and Second 22 recognition as a sophomore. Norman was a first-team All-Centennial League selection as a junior (the 2024 team has not been released).
Tyren Parker, Shawnee Heights
TYREN PARKER, Shawnee Heights
A 6-foot-3, 187-pound junior wide receiver/defensive back, moves up to the All-Shawnee County Top 22 this season after receiving honorable mention as a sophomore. Parker, who has received multiple Division I offers, caught 50 passes for 946 yards and 11 touchdowns and was also in on 48 tackles (32 solo) with a pair of interceptions and five pass breakups. Parker was a first-team All-United Kansas Conference pick on offense and a second-team honoree on defense.
Jensen Schrickel, Hayden
JENSEN SCHRICKEL, Hayden
Schrickel, a 5-10, 160 junior wide receiver/defensive back, is a three-time All-Shawnee County Top 22 selection after helping lead Hayden to an 11-2 record and a second straight runnerup finish in Class 3A. A multi-time state champion in track and field, Schrickel caught 49 passes for 799 yards, carried the ball 56 times for 606 yards, had six kickoff returns for 176 yards, had five punt returns for 80 yards and scored 23 total touchdowns and a 2-point conversion. Defensively, Schrickel was in on 33 tackles and he was named the county all-purpose athlete of the year.
Aiden Scott, Shawnee Heights
AIDEN SCOTT, Shawnee Heights
A 6-foot-5, 195 pound junior, Scott was named the Shawnee County offensive newcomer of the year in his first season as the starting quarterback for the T-Birds. Scott completed 190 of 317 pass attempts for 3,103 yards and 32 touchdowns, with just six interceptions. Scott also rushed for 106 yards and four touchdowns, earning second-team All-United Kansas Conference recognition.
Braden Strausbaugh, Silver Lake
BRADEN STRAUSBAUGH, Silver Lake
A 6-foot-2, 190-pound senior, Strausbaugh anchored the Silver Lake offensive and defensive lines this past season as the Eagles went 7-3 on the season. Strausbaugh was named to the All-Big East first team on both sides of the ball and moves up to the All-Shawnee County Top 22 after being a Second 22 honoree as a junior.
Treyton Tetuan, Hayden
TREYTON TETUAN, Hayden
Tetuan, a 6-foot, 210-pound senior tight end/defensive end, moves up to the All-Shawnee County Top 22 this season after receiving all-county honorable mention last fall. Tetuan was relied on heavily as a blocker for a Wildcat team that rolled up 4,420 yards of total offense in an 11-2 season but also caught six passes for 75 yards and two touchdowns, including a TD in the state championship game. Defensively Tetuan was in on 37 tackles with three tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks.
Jett Wahlmeier, Hayden
JETT WAHLMEIER, Hayden
Wahlmeier, a 5-foot-9, 192-pound senior quarterback, moves up to the All-Shawnee County Top 22 this fall after receiving honorable mention in an injury-shortened junior season. Wahlmeier completed 141 of 219 pass attempts for 2,121 yards and 23 touchdowns this season while throwing just one interception as the Wildcats posted an 11-2 record and advanced to the Class 3A state championship game for a second straight season. He also carried the ball 30 times for 117 yards and scored two TDs.
Jamon Wilson, Highland Park
JAMON WILSON, Highland Park
A 5-foot-10, 180-pound senior running back/slot/returner, Wilson moved up to the All-Shawnee County Top 22 after receiving honorable mention as a junior. Wilson compiled 2,105 all-purpose yards for the 6-3 Scots this fall. Wilson carried the ball 62 times for 794 yards, had 517 receiving yards and 824 return yards. Wilson, who scored 19 touchdowns and 118 points, was named the Meadowlark Conference offensive and special teams player of the year.
TopSports.news All-Shawnee County Football
Top 22
Player, school Pos. Ht. Wt. Gr.
Cameron Brian, Seaman LB 6-1 195 Jr.
Conner Bush, Rossville RB/DB 5-11 176 Jr.
Ricky Crawford, Highland Park LB 5-10 175 Sr.
Broderick Desch, Hayden FB/DT 5-9 195 Sr.
Caden Estrada, Washburn Rural OL 6-1 285 Sr.
Bryer Finley, Seaman WR 6-5 195 Sr.
Jacob Hawks, Washburn Rural OL 6-9 315 Sr.
Tayson Horak, Rossville QB/DB 5-9 156 Sr.
Max Huston, Seaman QB 6-1 185 Sr.
Dayne Johnson, Silver Lake WR/DB 6-2 175 Jr.
Kaden Jordan, Seaman NT 6-2 305 Sr.
Jude Krentz, Hayden LB 5-8 180 Jr.
Kingston Leonard, Washburn Rural DB 5-10 180 Sr.
Kade Mitchell, Hayden RB/DB 5-8 170 Jr.
Jayden Norman, Topeka High WR/K/P 6-1 180 Sr.
Tyren Parker, Shawnee Heights WR/DB 6-3 187 Jr.
Jensen Schrickel, Hayden WR/DB 5-10 160 Sr.
Aiden Scott, Shawnee Heights QB 6-5 195 Jr.
Braden Strausbaugh, Silver Lake OL/DL 6-2 190 Sr.
Treyton Tetuan, Hayden TE/DE 6-0 210 Sr.
Jett Wahlmeier, Hayden QB 5-9 192 Sr.
Jamon Wilson, Highland Park RB/Slot 5-10 180 Sr.
Second 22
Player, school Pos. Ht. Wt. Gr.
Xander Blasing, Hayden OLB 6-1 201 Jr.
Parker Busenitz, Shawnee Heights WR/DB 5-10 170 Sr.
Brock Bush, Rossville LB 6-2 189 Sr.
Hayden Cummings, Seaman LB 5-10 190 Sr.
Jack Donovan, Rossville WR/DB 5-11 166 Jr.
AJ Gallegos, Shawnee Heights WR 5-9 150 Jr,
Dallas Gardenhire, Seaman OL 6-3 240 Sr.
Andre Johnson, Rossville FB/LB 6-0 211 Jr.
DJ Johnson, Topeka High LB/DL 6-1 215 Sr.
Noah Kobuszewski, Seaman TE 6-4 240 Jr.
Julian McGivern, Hayden OL/DL 5-8 200 Jr.
Kaden McKinney, Seaman RB 6-2 180 Jr.
Wilson Miller, Washburn Rural CB 6-0 190 Sr.
Cooper Martin, Topeka High OL 6-0 200 Sr.
Malachi Murph, Topeka High DB/LB 5-11 190 Jr.
Jase Pavlik, Cair Paravel Latin QB/S 5-10 160 Sr.
Tremaine Savage, Highland Park DB 5-10 180 Sr.
Dysen Schooler, Silver Lake QB 5-7 177 Sr.
Elijah Thomas, Highland Park OL 6-4 270 Sr.
Lafayette Thompson, Washburn Rural RB 5-7 160 Sr.
Leo Wehrli, Rossville DL 6-3 291 Sr.
Kaden Whitehurst, Seaman DB 6-0 165 Sr.
Honorable mention
Cair Paravel: Tobias Bonura, jr.; Billy Lanich, sr.; Ben Roeder, sr. Hayden: Mason Becker, so.; Colt Ellerman, jr.; Connor Hanika, jr.; Brady Heinen, sr.; Jackson McGivern, jr.; Andrew Rohr, jr.; Logan Saenz, jr. Highland Park: G'Honi Montgomery, so.; David Ochoa-Perez, jr.; Craige Sipple, sr.; Joshua Weeks, jr. Rossville: Kameron Badura, sr.; Will Koch, sr.; Vincent Daniel, jr. Seaman: Brogen Brown, jr.; Ethan Geiger, sr.; Thomas Osborne, sr.; Braden Tillman, sr.; Brayden Warren, jr. Shawnee Heights: Liam Benz, sr.; Blake Coffman, jr.; Royce Daniels, jr.; Camden Granado, jr.; Hunter McGrann, sr.; Gavin Newberry, sr.; Brett Rantz, sr.; Henry Schattilly, jr; Will Skaggs, so.; David Wakes, jr. Silver Lake: Logan Cathcart, sr.; Brody Deiter, sr.; Myles Fisher, so.; Kendrick VandeVelde, fr. Topeka High: Saron Carter, sr.; Tevante Ewing, sr.; Adam Humphrey, jr.; Trey Lutz, so.; Zane Smith, jr.; Rock Williamson, jr. Topeka West: Trey Barr, sr.; Elijah Berg, sr.; Logan Hunninghake, jr.; Damon Webb, so. Washburn Rural: Jadyn Baum, so.; Baron Blankenship, sr.; Sammy Brumley, jr.; Jayden Cooper, jr.; Ayden Crosswhite, jr.; Conner Danielson, sr.; Elijah Gaines, jr.; Brady Goeden, sr.; Brody Haas, so.; Jordy Heim, jr.; John Hoytal, jr.; Dallas Koelling, sr.; Calvin Manthe, sr.; TJ Minikwu, jr.; Blake Recinos, sr.; Kellon Roth, jr.; Brody Schwinn, so.; Dylan Tajchman, jr.
Co-offensive players of the year -- Max Huston, Seaman, and Bryer Finley, Seaman.
Defensive player of the year -- Kaden Jordan, Seaman.
All-purpose athlete of the year -- Jensen Schrickel, Hayden.
Offensive newcomer of the year -- Aiden Scott, Shawnee Heights.
Defensive newcomer of the year -- Cameron Brian, Seaman.
Coach of the year -- Bill Arnold, Hayden.
