By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Undefeated Class 2A state champion Rossville and Centennial League tri-champion Washburn Rural combined for nine Top 22 spots on TopSports.news' inaugural All-Shawnee County football team while sweeping the individual awards.
Rossville, which wrapped up a second straight 2A state championship with Saturday's 35-12 win over Beloit, is represented on the Top 22 by seniors Corey Catron, Torrey Horak and Brody Lietz and junior Jacob Carver, with Catron and Horak being named the Shawnee County co-offensive players of the year.
Rossville senior stars Torrey Horak (left) and Corey Catron have been named TopSports.news' Shawnee County co-offensive players of the year after helping lead the Bulldawgs to a second straight undefeated Class 2A state title. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Derick Hammes has been named the TSN Shawnee County coach of the year after coaching the Bulldawgs to a second straight Class 2A state title. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Derick Hammes, who has coached Rossville to a 96-15 record (.865 percent) and five state titles over the past eight seasons, including 26 straight wins over the past two years, was named the Shawnee County coach of the year.
Washburn Rural, which posted a breakout 8-2 season, put seniors Robby Bolin, Connor Conklin and Giles Frederickson, junior Ty Weber and sophomore Branton DeWeese on the All-Shawnee County Top 22, with Weber being named the Shawnee County defensive player of the year.
Ty Weber
The Junior Blues swept the newcomer of the year awards, with DeWeese earning the offensive honor and sophomore Packson Bettis tapped for the defensive award.
Cair Paravel Latin, which posted an 11-0 record and captured the Kansas Christian Athletic Association state championship, put senior stars Carter Brian and Noah Hastert on the Top 22, while 6-4 Seaman is represented by seniors Camden Barta, Brody Gormley and Casen Stallbaumer.
Silver Lake, which advanced to the 2A state semifinals, is represented on the All-County Top 22 by seniors Daigan Kruger and Triston VandeVelde, while Shawnee Heights seniors Matthew Etzel and Jarin Sanders both earned Top 22 honors after helping lead the T-Birds to a 5-5 record.
Topeka High seniors Tylan Alejos and Danny Saili, Hayden junior Joe Otting and Highland Park junior Tre Richardson round out the Top 22 selections.
All 10 Shawnee County high schools have multiple players on either the Top 22 or Second 22 teams.
All-Shawnee County Top 22 capsules:
Tylan Alejos
TYLAN ALEJOS, Topeka High -- A 5-foot-9, 190-pound senior running back/defensive back, Alejos was a All-Centennial League first-team selection at running back and received honorable mention on defense. Alejos rushed for 1,327 yards on 202 carries and scored 18 total touchdowns while recording 40 tackles (16 solo) and a pass interception.
Camden Barta
CAMDEN BARTA, Seaman -- Barta, a 6-3, 200 senior quarterback/defensive back, received All-Centennial League second-team recognition on both sides of the ball for the Vikings. Barta completed 138 of 224 passes for 2,219 yards and 23 touchdowns, rushed for 196 yards and four touchdowns and had 51 tackles and an interception.
Robby Bolin
ROBBY BOLIN, Washburn Rural -- Bolin, a 6-2, 190 senior wide receiver/defensive back, earned All-Centennial League first-team honors at receiver and was a second-team all-league pick at defensive back. Bolin caught 33 passes for 517 yards and 10 touchdowns, averaging 15.7 yards per catch.
Carter Brian
CARTER BRIAN, Cair Paravel Latin -- A 6-1, 176 quarterback, Brian helped lead Cair Paravel to a perfect 11-0 record and the Kansas Christian Athletic Association state championship this fall. Carter completed 147 of 215 pass attempts for 2,515 yards and 51 touchdowns while throwing just one interception.
Jacob Carver
JACOB CARVER, Rossville -- The 6-2, 286 Rossville junior lineman has been a key perfomer for Bulldawg teams that have gone a perfect 26-0 with a pair of Class 2A state championships over the past two seasons. Carver is a three-year starter for Rossville.
Corey Catron
COREY CATRON, Rossville -- Catron, a 5-8, 166 senior, was a star at running back and linebacker for the 13-0 state-champion Bulldawgs and also turned in a clutch performance at quarterback for the Bulldawgs when Torrey Horak went out with an injury. Catron rushed for 1,315 yards and 26 touchdowns on 196 carries and completed 32 of 58 passes for 456 yards and six touchdowns. Defensively, Catron was in on more than 100 tackles.
CONNOR CONKLIN, Washburn Rural -- A 6-1, 195 senior linebacker, Conkin earned second-team All-Centennial League recognition after helping the Junior Blues earn a share of the league championship. Conklin recorded 94 total tackles (69 solo) with seven tackles for loss, five sacks and two interceptions.
Branton DeWeese
BRANTON DeWEESE, Washburn Rural -- DeWeese, a 6-0, 165 sophomore, was named the All-Centennial League first-team quarterback and selected as TopSports.news' offensive newcomer of the year. DeWeese completed 132 of 205 pass attempts for 1,650 yards and 21 touchdowns while throwing just three interceptions.
Matthew Etzel
MATTHEW ETZEL, Shawnee Heights -- The 6-2, 220 senior defensive lineman earned first-team All-United Kansas Conference honors for the T-Birds after helping Shawnee Heights rebound from an 0-3 start to post a 5-5 record. Etzel also handled kicking chores for the T-Birds, earning second-team All-UKC recognition.
Giles Frederickson
GILES FREDERICKSON, Washburn Rural -- Frederickson, a 5-11, 185 senior, received first-team All-Centennial League honors at kicker for Washburn Rural despite missing two games due to complications from a copperhead bite. Frederickson kicked 33 of 35 extra points and six field goals, including a long of 46 yards. Frederickson also registered 18 touchbacks on kickoffs.
Brody Gormley
BRODY GORMLEY, Seaman -- The 6-6, 215 senior had a breakout season for the Vikings as a wide receiver, defensive lineman and punter. Gormley earned first-team All-Centennial League first-team honors on offense and second-team honors on defense and as a punter. Gormley caught 30 passes for 735 yards and 10 touchdowns, registered 34 tackles with nine sacks and seven tackles for loss and averaged 37 yards as a punter with 11 punts inside the 20.
Noah Hastert
NOAH HASTERT, Cair Paravel Latin -- A 6-6, 230 tight end/defensive end, Hastert had a big year on both sides of the ball as Cair Paravel went 11-0 and won the KCAA state championship. Hastert had 46 pass receptions for 921 receiving yards and 22 touchdowns and had 38 tackles (26 solo) with 15 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks.
Torrey Horak
TORREY HORAK, Rossville -- Horak, a 5-11, 171 quarterback/defensive back, has helped lead Rossville to back-to-back 13-0 records and Class 2A state championships. Despite missing time with a shoulder injury, Horak completed 85 of 132 pass attempts for 1,337 yards and 12 touchdowns and rushed for 1,008 yards and 14 TDs on 102 attempts.
Daigan Kruger
DAIGAN KRUGER, Silver Lake -- Kruger, a 5-10, 170 senior quarterback, turned in a big senior season as Silver Lake advanced to the Class 2A state semifinals before losing to eventual champion Rossville. Kruger is also one of the state's best wrestlers in Class 3A-1A, placing third at state a year ago. Kruger passed for more than 1,928 yards and 23 touchdowns on the season while also running for more than 500 yards.
Brody Lietz
BRODY LIETZ, Rossville -- A 6-3, 241 senior lineman, Lietz has played a big role as Rossville posted back-to-back 13-0 seasons and back-to-back Class 2A state championships. Lietz has been a three-year starter for the Bulldawgs.
Joe Otting
JOE OTTING, Hayden -- Otting, a 6-4, 275 offensive and defensive lineman, helped lead Hayden to the second round of the Class 3A playoffs and an 8-2 record this fall. Also an All-Shawnee County basketball honoree for the Wildcats, Otting is regarded as one of the state's top Division I football prospects, receiving multiple D-I offers prior to his junior year.
Tre Richardson
TRE RICHARDSON, Highland Park -- A 5-11, 175 junior wide receiver and returner, Richardson is regarded as one of Shawnee County's most dynamic players despite playing on a winless Highland Park team. Also a standout in basketball and a state medalist in track and field, Richardson earned first-team All-Centennial League recognition at returner and was a second-team all-league pick at receiver. Richardson caught 32 passes for 523 yards, carried the ball 38 times for 674 yards and was one of the state's top returners.
Danny Saili
DANNY SAILI, Topeka High -- In his first season at Topeka High after transferring from Jefferson West, the 6-3, 375 senior lineman was named to the All-Centennial League first team on both offense and defense. Saili anchored Topeka High's defense, recording 38 tackles with eight tackles for loss, four sacks, three forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.
Jarin Sanders
JARIN SANDERS, Shawnee Heights -- A 5-9, 165 senior running back, Sanders earned first-team All-Kansas Conference honors after helping lead Shawnee Heights to a 5-5 record and the second round of the Class 5A playoffs. Sanders rushed for 1,142 yards and 12 touchdowns and had 31 pass receptions for four TDs.
Casen Stallbaumer
CASEN STALLBAUMER, Seaman -- Stallbaumer, a 6-2, 200 senior wide receiver/defensive back, earned first-team All-Centennial League honors on offense and second-team recognition on defense. Stallbaumer caught 58 passes for 759 yards and five touchdowns and had 35 tackles with seven tackles for loss and two sacks.
TRISTON VANDEVELDE, Silver Lake -- A 5-9, 198 senior offensive lineman, VandeVelde helped Silver Lake advance to the Class 3A state semifinals before losing to eventual champion Rossville. VandeVelde is also a standout wrestler for the Eagles, placing fifth in Class 3A-1A as a junior.
Ty Weber
TY WEBER, Washburn Rural -- Weber, a 6-3, 240 junior linebacker, was named the TopSports.news Shawnee County defensive player of the year after helping lead the Junior Blues to an 8-2 record and a share of the Centennial League title. Weber was named to the All-Centennial League first team after recording 106 total tackles (63 solo) and a single-game high of 17 stops. Weber had seven tackles for loss and forced two fumbles.
TopSports.news All-Shawnee County Football
Top 22
Player, school Pos. Ht. Wt. Gr.
Tylan Alejos, Topeka High RB/DB 5-9 190 Sr.
Camden Barta, Seaman QB/DB 6-3 200 Sr.
Robby Bolin, Washburn Rural WR/DB 6-2 190 Sr.
Carter Brian, Cair Paravel QB 6-1 176 Sr.
Jacob Carver, Rossville OL 6-2 286 Jr.
Corey Catron, Rossville RB/LB 5-8 166 Sr.
Connor Conklin, Washburn Rural LB 6-1 195 Sr.
Branton DeWeese, Washburn Rural QB 6-0 165 So.
Matthew Etzel, Shawnee Heights DL 6-2 220 Sr.
Giles Frederickson, Washburn Rural K 5-11 185 Sr.
Brody Gormley, Seaman WR/DL/P 6-6 215 Sr.
Noah Hastert, Cair Paravel TE/DE 6-6 230 Sr.
Torrey Horak, Rossville QB/DB 5-11 171 Sr.
Daigan Kruger, Silver Lake QB 5-10 185 Sr.
Brody Lietz, Rossville OL/DL 6-3 241 Sr.
Joe Otting, Hayden OL/DL 6-4 275 Jr.
Tre Richardson, Highland Park WR/Ret. 5-11 175 Jr.
Danny Saili, Topeka High OL/DL 6-3 375 Sr.
Jarin Sanders, Shawnee Heights RB 5-9 165 Sr.
Casen Stallbaumer, Seaman WR/DB 6-2 200 Sr.
Triston VandeVelde, Silver Lake OL 5-10 189 Sr
Ty Weber, Washburn Rural LB 6-3 240 Jr.
SECOND 22
Player, school Pos. Ht. Wt. Gr.
Malachi Berg, Topeka West QB 6-2 190 Jr.
Packson Bettis, Washburn Rural DL 6-2 210 So.
Jachin Bonura, Cair Paravel WR/Ret. 5-8 140 Jr.
Kaden Brown, Rossville SB/DB 5-8 156 Sr.
Orrin Busenitz, Shawnee Heights OL 6-2 295 Sr.
Callan Carver, Shawnee Heights QB 5-11 165 Sr.
Jack Chisham, Hayden RB/DB 5-11 165 Sr.
Braden Colley, Seaman TE/LB 6-1 195 Sr.
Elliott Cooper, Topeka West TE/DL 6-3 225 Sr.
Austin Fager, Washburn Rural DL 5-10 180 Sr.
Tyler Gilchrist, Hayden DB 5-11 170 Sr.
Mshewe Hale, Rossville LB 5-10 221 Sr.
Lukas Hanks, Washburn Rural TE 6-4 245 Jr.
JC Heim, Washburn Rural RB/LB 6-3 195 So.
Ja'Vion Lee, Topeka West RB 5-11 158 Sr..
Landon MacEwan, Washburn Rural DB 6-1 190 Sr.
Tyrell Reed, Highland Park RB 5-8 175 Jr.
Gannon Remer, Silver Lake WR 6-1 145 Sr.
Brogan Renfro, Silver Lake RB 5-8 145 Sr.
Amr Sabarrini, Washburn Rural WR 5-11 170 Jr.
Rusty Ullery, Shawnee Heights LB 6-1 190 Sr.
PJ Vargas, Seaman WR/DB 5-11 185 Sr.
Honorable mention
Cair Paravel: Jesiah Bonura, so.; Jude Borchers, jr.; Ian Brian, so.; Noah Collins, so.; Max Colombo, sr.; Simon Everhart, so.; Evan Will, so. Hayden: Carter Charvat, so.; JC Cummings, jr.; Ben Evans, jr.; Kaelin Rice, sr. Highland Park: Gabe Davis, jr.; Morgan Dean, sr.; A'ydran Drew-Gregory, jr.; Mackey James, jr,; Kellan Spruce, sr.. Rossville: Pedro Arantes, sr.; Raphael Cooney, sr.; Tagan Kippes, sr; Barrett Lietz, so; Kade Perine, jr. Seaman: Callen Barta, so.; Logan Cox, jr.; Kasen Hasenkamp, jr.; Kobe Jordan, sr.; Sean Miller, jr.; Jaxson Thomas, jr.; Bryson Vawter, jr.; Gavin Wilhelm, sr. Shawnee Heights: Dawson Block, sr.; Ja'Laveyn January, sr.; Jacob Malcom, so.; Jayden Moore, so.; Carter Olson, sr.; Garrett Peery, sr.; Diego Ruiz, sr.; Harlan Watson, sr. Silver Lake: Channer Feuerbacher, sr.; Kale Frehe, sr.; Preston Gillen, sr. Topeka High: BJ Canady, so.; Jacob Jackson, sr.; Isiah Kincade, so.; Logan McDaniel, sr. Topeka West: Xavier Alexander, jr.; Jaq'Son Bush, sr.; Dontrey Jones-Washington, sr.; Kyrece Robinson, so.; Jamal Shahid, sr.; Washburn Rural: Ma'Kenttis Adams, jr.; Antonio Carcamo, sr.; Wyatt Conklin, jr.; Zach Franco, jr.; Noah Haskins, sr; Jaren Heim, so.; Shane Sexton, jr.; Shane Slocum, sr.; Dayten Smoot, jr.; Walker Thompson, jr.; Adrian Tibbetts, sr.; Daniel VanWagoner, jr.; Kason Williams, jr.
Co-offensive player of the year -- Corey Catron, sr., Rossville, and Torrey Horak, sr., Rossville.
Defensive player of the year -- Ty Weber, jr., Washburn Rural.
Offensive newcomer of the year -- Branton DeWeese, so., Washburn Rural.
Defensive newcomer of the year -- Packson Bettis, so., Washburn Rural.
Coach of the year -- Derick Hammes, Rossville.
