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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
EDITOR'S NOTE: Over the coming weeks TopSports.news will recognize Shawnee County's all-time best teams in 21 sports as part of our Best of the Best project. The project continues with football and readers will have the opportunity to vote for teams in that sport through July 26, with the top teams in all categories announced in late July and August. To cast a vote for the Best of the Best, click on https://take.quiz-maker.com/poll4869619x1e314Fa6-151 while email votes/nominations will be also accepted at
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Shawnee County high schools first started fielding football teams in the early 1900s, with seven county schools posting undefeated seasons in the early days of Kansas prep football.
But the modern era of the sport began in 1969 with the advent of playoff football in Kansas and Shawnee County schools have continued that enviable record of success, posting 19 state tiles in four classes.
With over 110 years of teams to pick from, narrowing down TopSports.news Best of the Best teams to a top 10 is a daunting task, but the list of contenders has to start with the 10 county teams that have posted wire-to-wire undefeated campaigns in the playoff era.
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Washburn senior-to-be right-handed pitcher Casey Steward was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies Tuesday in the 19th round with the 583rd overall pick in the Major League Draft.
Steward was the first MIAA player to be picked in the draft this year.
"Casey Steward has been an impact player for Washburn baseball since the first day he stepped on campus," Ichabod head baseball coach Harley Douglas said in a Washburn Athletics release. "I am so happy for him and his family today!
"His commitment and dedication to his craft and being an Ichabod will be hard to replace. He was determined to make his mark in Washburn baseball history and it is safe to say he did it in a big way. What a tremendous day for Casey Steward, his family and all of Ichabod nation!"
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
OTTAWA -- Former Rossville star offensive lineman Jacob Carver is set to continue what has become a Bulldawg pipeline to Emporia State's football program this fall, with Carver to begin his freshman year with the Hornets next month.
The Bulldawgs' connections to ESU include Rossville coach Derick Hammes as well as former Bulldawg standouts Dawson Hammes and Cole Schumacher, who completed their Hornet careers last season, and Carver's former teammate, Brody Lietz.
But as deep as Rossville's connections to Emporia State run, Carver said his fellow Bulldawgs stayed out of the way when it came time for him to pick a college.
"They left it up to me and I just loved the environment that they had there, so I thought it fit right for me,'' said Carver, who will play for the East team in Saturday night's 50th Kansas Shrine Bowl at Hays.
"I kind of thought about a couple other schools but after just talking to the (Emporia State) coaches, I just felt like that was the perfect spot for me.''
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Darting Basketball Academy wrapped up its fourth 3 on 3 Summer League Monday night with a packed house at Shawnee Heights, culminating with the crowning of Most Valuable Players in five divisions.
Hudson Blanton received the MVP award in the 8-9-year-old boys division, while Vy Thomas was the 10-11 boys winner and Gaige Navarro took home MVP honors in the 12-13 boys division.
Teagan Wheat was the 10-11 girls MVP and Claire Puvogel received the MVP award in the 12-13 division.
The 3 on 3 Summer League for the high school division finished up last week, with the brother-sister combo of Ontarius and KK Emmot earning most valuable player honors.
- Details
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
EDITOR'S NOTE: Over the coming weeks TopSports.news will recognize Shawnee County's all-time best teams in 21 sports as part of our Best of the Best project. The project continues with boys cross country and readers will have the opportunity to vote for teams in that sport through July 25, with the top teams in all categories announced in late July and August. To cast a vote for the Best of the Best, click on https://take.quiz-maker.com/poll4868071x75d4DC58-151 while email votes/nominations will be also accepted at
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Local boys cross country teams have captured 12 state team championships in a whopping five decades, dating back to Topeka West's first title in 1968 through Washburn Rural's crown in 2019.
Now its time to see which one of those teams deserves the top spot on TopSports.news' Best of the Best list.
Legendary Hall of Fame coach Joe Schrag established Topeka West as a state power in the late 1960s and 1970s and the Chargers won their fourth championship in 1985.
Schrag led Topeka West to their first state championship in 1968 and the Chargers added titles in '74, '77 and '85.
Hayden followed West's lead with its first team title in 1975 under Jim Casper and Hall of Famer Ben Meseke followed with a dominating run from 1981 to 1995, with the Wildcats running off five Class 4A championships.