Cair Paravel Lions

 By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Local high schools open regional boys soccer competition this week, beginning with three Monday contests.

Hayden, 7-8-1 on the season, will host Mulvane (7-9-0) in a 4 p.m. Class 4A-1A regional semifinal Monday while Cair Paravel Latin (0-10-0) will host Circle (0-15-0)  in a 4:30 p.m. 4A-1A play-in game at the Sunflower Soccer Complex. The Cair Paravel-Circle winner will advance to a 6 p.m. game Tuesday at Buhler (15-1-0).

In 5A, Seaman (3-11-2) will travel to Leavenworth  (5-10-1) for a 6 p.m. play-in game on Monday, with the winner playing Kansas City-Sumner (13-2-1) at Kansas City-Schlagle at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. Seaman dropped a 1-0 overtime United Kansas Conference decision to the Pioneers in the regular season.

Washburn Rural senior Easton Bradstreet (13) has scored 25 goals this season entering Tuesday's Class 6A regional soccer opener at McElroy Field. [File photo/TSN]

Centennial League champion Washburn Rural (13-3-0) will open 6A postseason at 6 p.m. Tuesday at McElroy Field against the winner of Monday's play-in game between Lawrence (5-10-1) and Wichita South (0-16). The Junior Blues have asssured themselves of homefield advantage through the state quarterfinal round.6A.

Junior Chris Gomez (18) and the Topeka High soccer team will host Free State in a Class 6A regional game Tuesday night at Hummer Sports Park. [File photo/TSN]

Topeka High will also open 6A postseason Tuesday, with the 11-5-0 Trojans hosting Free State (6-7-2) in a 6 p.m. regional game at Hummer Sports Park.

Nic Simons and his 10-5-1 Shawnee Heights soccer team will open Class 5A postseason Tuesday night at the Bettis Family Sports Complex against KC-Washinton. [File photo/TSN]

UKC champion Shawnee Heights (10-5-1) will be at the Bettis Family Sports Complex at 6 p.m. Tuesday to host KC-Washington (7-7-2) in a 5A regional opener.

By ISAAC DEER

TopSports.news

After losing four straight to state contending 8-man teams, Cair Paravel Latin ended its football season on a high note with a 62-12 win over Maranatha Academy Friday night at Highland Park.

The Lions rapidly put 62 points on the scoreboard on their Senior Night, needing just 24 minutes to get the win at the halftime break.

Cair Paravel junior quarterback Evan Will went 7 of 7 passing for 117 yards and three TDs in Friday's 62-12 win over Maranatha Academy. [Photo by Sarah Carson/Special to TSN]

Senior Jachin Bonura carried tJunior Noah Collins had a 37-yard pick-six in Cair Paravel's 62-12 win over Maranatha Academy. [Photo by Sarah Carson/Special to TSN]

Cair Paravel junior Jesiah Bonura finds running room in the Lions' 62-12 win over Maranatha Academy. [Photo by Sarah Carson/Special to TSN]

Cair Paravel sophomore Ben Roeder (26) and junior Noah Collins (33) close in on a Maranatha Academy ball-carrier in Friday's 62-12 Lion win. [Photo by Sarah Carson/Special to TSN]

“Our guys came out and executed the way we wanted them to,” Cair Paravel Latin coach Doug Bonura said. “We were able to get a lot of guys in the game tonight and learn on the spot. They responded well after losing last week, which was a rough one for us. Being able to come back and play the way we wanted to play was great to see.

“But with all of that being said, I’m disappointed that we’re not going to the playoffs.”

In its first full year as a member of the Kansas State High School Activities Association, Cair Paravel Latin received an un-warm welcome. The Lions were delivered a juggernaut of a schedule for nearly the entirety of the 2022 campaign.

“This year was a bit of a disappointment because we have a tremendous team with a lot of talent,” D. Bonura said. “This year was good and humbling for us. Our district has several teams who are top-20 in the entire state. We learned so much about this year and we look forward to taking those lessons into next year.”

Out of the Lions’ eight regular season games played, only three of the teams that Cair Paravel has played has had a losing record. Cair Paravel Latin has won all of its games against those three teams with a losing record.

In its three games won, Cair Paravel Latin has outscored the opposition, 178-28. The Lions do what they’re supposed to do, blow out the teams that they’re supposed to beat. 

On Friday night, Cair Paravel Latin was able to execute the game plan flawlessly against a wounded Maranatha Academy squad.

The Lions 40-point first quarter was impressive.

In fact, it took Cair Paravel under four minutes to put up 24 points on the scoreboard and it was evident that the Lions would roll over the Eagles in the beginning portion of the game.

Lion senior running back Jachin Bonura had an eye-opening game on Friday night, touching the pigskin eight times for 218 yards and four touchdowns.

Cair Paravel junior quarterback Evan Will had a quick but perfect night. Will went 7-7 for 117 yards and three touchdowns.

Defensively, the Lions were stout. Seven sacks, two interceptions, 14 tackles for losses and a defensive touchdown. Noah Collins’ pick-six was for 37 yards.

The game started and ended in a blink of an eye. Similar to Cair Paravel’s season. A dominating home performance to cap off a season filled with lessons was important to this young and aspiring Lions group.

“Our guys competed in every game this year,” D. Bonura said. “We played the way we wanted to. We are going to have to work on our technique going forward and polish a lot of things for us to move in the direction we want to go in.”

Cair Paravel Latin finished its season with a 3-5 overall and 1-4 district record.

CAIR PARAVEL LATIN 62, MARANATHA ACADEMY 12

Maranatha Academy (0-7, 0-4)    6 6 – 12

Cair Paravel Latin (3-5, 1-4)      40 22 – 62

Cair Paravel – Ja. Bonura 46 run (2-pt is good)

Cair Paravel – Ja. Bonura 48 pass from Will (2-pt is good)

Cair Paravel – Collins 37 interception return (2-pt is good)

Cair Paravel – Ja. Bonura 27 pass from Will (2-pt is good)

Cair Paravel – Roeder 38 run (2-pt conversion is good)

Maranatha Academy – Higginbotham 26 pass from Nelson (2-pt is no good)

Maranatha Academy – Higgenbotham 13 pass from Nelson (2-point is no good)

Cair Paravel – Ja. Bonura 47 run (2-pt is no good)

Cair Paravel – Je. Bonura 47 run (2-pt is good)

Cair Paravel – Gossard 9 pass from Will (2-pt is no good)

Individual statistics 

Passing: Cair Paravel Latin – Will 7-7, 117 yards; Pavlik 2-2, 24. Maranatha Academy – Nelson 8-16, 105 yards; Smail 1-4, 7.

Rushing: Cair Paravel Latin – Ja. Bonura 3-118, Pavlik 3-26, Je. Bonura 1-47, Roeder 1-38. Maranatha Academy – Nelson 8-(minus)-54, Higginbotham 6-45, Smail 4-17, Wiley 4-(minus)-3.

Receiving: Cair Paravel Latin – Ja. Bonura 5-100, Will 2-24, Gossard 1-9, Helmbold 1-8. Maranatha Academy – Higginbotham 4-63, Smail  4-34, Dean 1-5.

 By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Wasshburn Rural and Seaman, Final Four teams a year ago, lead Shawnee County's 10-school contingent into Saturday's sub-state tournaments across the state.

Washburn Rural finished fourth in Class 6A and Seaman fifth in 5A a year ago and both the Junior Blues and Vikings are coming off league championships and sport top-three state rankings entering post-season.

All 10 county high schools will be vying for berths in state tournaments, which will be contested on Oct. 28 and 29.

Rural won the Centennial League tournament and is ranked No. 1 in 6A in the final Kansas Volleyball Association rankings with a 38-1 record while Seaman won the United Kansas Conference championship and is No. 3 in 5A with a 28-8 record.

Rossville and Silver Lake are two of the top teams in 3A, with Rossville (30-5) ranked No. 6 and Silver Lake (24-9) No. 9 by the KVA. 

Here's a class-by-class look at sub-state tournaments involving Shawnee County schools:

Washburn Rural volleyball, 38-1 on the season, celebrates a point in the Junior Blues' recent match against state-ranked Seaman. [File photo/TSN]

CLASS 6A

Washburn Rural, which has advanced to 23 state tournaments under coach Kevin Bordewick, with seven state titles and 20 Final Four appearances, will be a heavy favorite in Saturday's 6A sub-state at Rural.

The top-ranked Junior Blues will play a semifinal match at approximately 2 p.m. against the winner of the play-in match between Dodge City (5-27) and Wichita South (2-33).

Manhattan (15-19) will face Derby (15-20) in the other semifinal match, with the semifinal winners playing for the sub-state title at approximately 4 o'clock.

The sub-state champion will advance to the state tournament at the Tony's Pizza Events Center in Salina on Oct. 28.

• Topeka High (8-24) will make the long trek to Liberal to face the host team in a 2 p.m. semifinal. Liberal is 25-8 on the season and the No. 3 in the 6A West.

The Topeka High-Liberal winner will play the winner of the semifinal between Wichita North (16-13) and Campus (11-21) for the sub-state championship at approximately 4 p.m.

Senior Laynee Brown is a standout for Seaman's volleyball team, which will host a Class 5A sub-state on Saturday. [File photo/TSN]

CLASS 5A

Seaman, the No. 3 seed in the 5A East, will be at home on Saturday as it shoots for a third straight state tournament berth.

The Vikings will open their sub-state bid at 2 p.m. Saturday in a semifinal matchup against  De Soto (9-21).

The winner of the Seaman-De Soto match will play for the sub-state title at approximately 4 p.m. against the winner of the semifinal between Kansas City-Schlagle (11-6) and KC-Turner (11-20).

The sub-state champion will move on to the 5A state tournament at the Tony's Pizza Events Center in Salina on Oct. 28.

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

(All kickoffs at 7 p.m.)

LEAVENWORTH (2-5, 2-5 UKC) at SHAWNEE HEIGHTS (4-3, 4-2 UKC)

Shawnee Heights junior Allen Baughman (5) has rushed for 1,140 yards and 15 touchdowns on this fall. [Photo by Sarah Carson/Special to TSN]

Shawnee Heights snapped a two-game losing streak with a 49-6 United Kansas Conference win over Topeka West last Friday. T-Bird junior Allen Baughman carried the ball 12 times for 153 yards and five touchdowns against Topeka West and enters Friday night's game against Leavenworth with 1,140 yards and 15 touchdowns on 152 attempts. Alex Dittman leads the T-Birds with 54 tackles while Jon Scott and Sean Wunter have 46 and 45 stops, respectively.

TOPEKA WEST (1-6) at WASHBURN RURAL (5-2)

Washburn Rural junior Titan Osburn caught three touchdown passes in last Friday's 49-14 Centennial League win over Emporia. [File photo/TSN]

Washburn Rural took a 49-14 Centennial League win over Emporia last week while Topeka West js coming off a 49-6 United Kansas Conference defeat against Shawnee Heights. Rural junior Branton DeWeese completed seven of seven passes for 91 yards and two TDs last week while junior Titan Osburn caught three passes for 67 yards and three TDs. Senor Ma'Kenttis Adams had three carries for 76 yards and a TD while DeWeese carried the ball six times for 57 yards and a pair of TDs. Senior Ty Weber registered eight tackles (seven solo), with three tackles for loss and a fumble recovery. Topeka West senior quarterback Malachi Berg scored West's lone TD against West on a 16-yard run and rushed for 96 yards and passed for 112 yards.

Topeka High senior quarterback Peyton Wheat has passed for 1,240 yards and six touchdowns this season. [File photo/TSN]

HAYS (6-1) at TOPEKA HIGH (1-6) 

Topeka High dropped a 54-12 Centennial League decision at Junction City while Hays is coming off a 56-12 win over Liberal, which handed High a 27-0 defeat earlier in the year. Hays' lone loss was a 31-21 decision to undefeated Manhattan. Topeka High dropped a 59-7 league game to Manhattan in Week 2. High sophomore Jayden Norman has caught 43 passes for 620 yards and four touchdowns while senior quarterback Peyton Wheat has completed 82 of 174 passes for 1,240 yards and six touchdowns.

MARANATHA ACADEMY (0-6, 0-3 district) at CAIR PARAVEL LATIN (2-5, 0-4 district)

Cair Paravel wraps up Eight-Man Division I play Friday night after dropping an 54-8 district decision to Chase County last Friday. Cair Paravel junior Evan Will went 9 of 13 passing for 74 yards and a touchdowns against Chase County while Jachin Bonura caught six passes for 64 yards and a TD. Maranatha Academy is coming off a 63-14 district loss to Burlingame

By ISAAC DEER

TopSports.news

The rebuilding Cair Paravel Latin boys soccer team took a tough 10-1 loss at the hands of a solid Kansas City Christian team on Thursday evening at the Sunflower Soccer Complex.

It’s been a tough year for the Lions as Cair Paravel still hasn’t found the win column near the end of the 2022 campaign as its young and small roster has dealt with its fair share of challenges.

Cair Paravel Latin soccer coach Mark Congdon congratulates his team after Thursday's 10-1 loss to Kansas City Christian. [Photo by Isaac Deer/TSN]

It doesn’t help the Lions that several contributors are dealing with injuries.

With a young group like the Lions have, CPLS coach Mark Congdon said it's essential to find different ways to evaluate the team, not just wins and losses.

“We were just lucky to be out here and playing today,” Congdon said. “Last night we almost lost a couple of guys and that would’ve put us in a bad spot. We have two or three nagging injuries within the team right now all with our 11 guys. A win for us right now is starting and finishing the game.

“The fact that we were able to play a game from start to finish was big for us. It’s great to allow our guys to go out there and compete as well as get some minutes. Even with the loss we had today, it was a good day for us.”

 By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Silver Lake's boys will be looking to build off last week's Mid-East League championship when all 10 Shawnee County high schools compete for state berths in Saturday's regional cross country meets.

Silver Lake and Rossville will both compete in a Class 3A regional at the Leonardville Golf Course (10 a.m. girls, 10:45 boys), while Topeka High and Washburn Rural will compete in a 6A regional at Manhattan (10 girls, 10:40 boys), Highland Park, Seaman, Shawnee Heights and Topeka West will take part in a 5A regional at Kanza Park (9 girls, 9:45 boys), Hayden will host a 4A regional, also at Kanza Park (10:30 girls, 11:15 boys), and Cair Paravel will be part of a 2A regional at Central Heights (10 girls, 10:40 boys).

Silver Lake tuned up for postseason last Thursday, winning the league title by 38 points while dropping its average team time by two seconds.

"The wind made things tough, but our runners made the best of it,'' Eagle coach Kevin Brokaw said.

Sophomore Jared Johnson paced the Eagles with a second-place individual finish while junior Eli Ferguson finished third, senior Mason Brokaw fourth and sophomore Aemon Coffman seventh to earn league medals.

"(I'm) especially proud of sophomore Jared Johnson who continues to improve and broke under 18 minutes for the first time,'' Kevin Brokaw said.

Silver Lake's girls dropped their team time average by 29 seconds to 22:22 and placed second behind Riley County by just four points after losing to the Falcons by 11 points two weeks earlier.

"(We) will try our best to get them at regionals,'' Kevin Brokaw said.

Senior Mariah Farmer finished third in the league meets, with sophomore Tessa Gerber seventh and freshman Kylie Podlena ninth.

"We had 17 season-bests out of 27 runners,'' Kevin Brokaw said.

Senior Amelia Foster finished fifth to lead Rossville in the girls race while the Bulldawg boys got an eighth-place finish from junior Mason Broce and a 10th-place finish from senior Hayden Sanders.

• Washburn Rural swept the Centennial League titles last week, with the the Junior Blues riding a one-two-three individual finish to a 27-62 win over Junction City and Rural winning the boys title by a 44-47 margin over Manhattan.

Washburn Rural sophomore Payton Fink followed up her city championship with a win in last Saturday's Centennial League meet. [File photo/TSN]

Sophomore Payton Fink won the girls title in a five-kilometer time of 18 minutes, 53.9 while senior Madeline Carter (19:11.0) and sophomore Rylee Ismert (19:25.1) finished second and third.

The Rural girls also got an eighth-place finish from Brooklyn Nolte (20:36.4) and a 13th-place finish from Vilde Tronstad (21:03.7) to round out the Junior Blues' top five.

Rural's boys got third and fourth-place finishes from seniors Davin Johnson and Easton Dial to lead the Junnior Blues to the team title.

Senior Grayson Fink (17:21.4) finished eighth for Rural's boys, followed by junior Hayden Keller (17:30.3) in 12th place and senior Trevor Cain (17:42.2) in 17th. 

Hayden's girls finished fifth as a team, led by Elliot Wrench's 17th-place finish in 21:23.8, while Topeka High placed sixth, led by Marilina Zuniga, who placed 33rd in 24:46.3.

Hayden and Topeka High finished fifth and sixth in the boys team standings.

Topeka High's Michael Christoper and Hayden's Aiden Amis both posted top-10 finishes in the boys race, with Christopher (17:23.1) taking ninth and Amis (17:26.0) 10th.

• Seaman's girls and Topeka West senior Lenny Njoroge claimed titles in last Thursday's United Kansas Conference meet at Shawnee Heights

 By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Two-time defending Class 2A state champion Rossville ended a brief two-game losing streak with a 56-6 District 3 romp past Pleasant Ridge Friday night at Rossville.

Rossville junior quarterback Camden Horak (3) rushed for four touchdowns and also passed for a TD in the Bulldawgs' 56-6 win over Pleasant Ridge Friday night. [File photo/TSN]

With the win Rossville improved to 3-4 overall and 2-1 in the district and can clinch a playoff berth with a win at Maur Hill-Mt. Academy next Friday.

The Bulldawgs put Friday's game away with a 21-point first quarter, went to the locker room with a commanding 35-0 advantage and led 49-0 at the start of the fourth quarter.

Rossville junior quarterback Camden Horak had a big night against the Rams, running for four touchdowns and also passing for a TD.

Senior Braiden Hensley got Rossville on the board at the 9:20 mark of the opening quarter with a 4-yard run and Horak followed with 18 and 32-yard TD runs to put the Bulldawgs up 21-0 at the 2:01 mark of the first stanza. 

Horak added a 5-yard scoring run 50 seconds into the second quarter and he hit Hensley for a 66-yard touchdown pass to end Rossville's first-half scoring with 2:16 left before halftime.

C. Horak and sophomore Tayson Horak scored third-quarter touchdowns on 29 and 3-yard runs before Andre Johnson scored Rossville's final TD on a 15-yard run with 2:34 left to play.

Pleasant Ridge (2-5, 1-3) scored its only points of the night early in the fourth quarter.

Junior Cedric Leistenschneider went eight of eight on extra-point kicks for the Bulldawgs.

Washburn Rural junior quarterback Branton DeWeese threw for three TDs and ran for a score in last Friday's 49-14 win over Emporia. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]

WASHBURN RURAL 49, EMPORIA 14 --Washburn Rural improved to 5-2 overall and 2-2 in the Centennial League with Friday night's 49-14 league romp past Emporia at Bowen-Glaze Stadium, with the Junior Blues strengthening their position for the upcoming Class 6A West playoffs.

The Junior Blues put the Spartans (1-6, 0-3) away early, opening up a 37-0 first-quarter avantage.

Rural junior quarterback Branton DeWeese opened the scoring at the 8:13 mark with a 4-yard run and he also completed a pair of 18-yard TD passes to junior Titan Osburn before freshman TJ Minikwu and senior Ma'kenttis Adams added TD runs from 5 and 51 yards respectively to end the first-quarter onslaught.

Minikwu scored his second TD on a 1-yard run and DeWeese and Osburn hooked up for a 32-yard pass to give Rural a 49-0 halftime advantage.

A running clock was used throughout the second half, with Emporia scoring its two touchdowns on passes from Sheldon Stewart to Jaxon Dial and Parker Leeds.

Washburn Rural will wrap up the regular season at home next Friday against Topeka West while Emporia will host Junction City at Welch Stadium.

Highland Park senior star Tre Richardson scored six touchdowns in Friday night's 63-0 non-league romp at Kansas CityNortheast, Mo. as the Scots improved to 5-2. [File photo/TSN] 

HIGHLAND PARK 63, NORTHEAST 0 -- Highland Park ended its two-game losing streak in resounding fashion Friday night, rolling to a 63-0 road win over Kansas City-Northeast, Mo.

Highland Park senior Trey Richardson scored six touchdowns, two on punt returns, two pass receiving and two rushing. Richardson has now had a hand in 40 touchdowns on the season.

Senior A'Ydren Drew-Gregory picked off three passes, with two going for touchdowns.

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

(All kickoffs at 7 p.m.)

SHAWNEE HEIGHTS (3-3, 3-2 UKC) at TOPEKA WEST (1-5, 1-5 UKC)

At Hummer Sports Park

Shawnee Heights junior Allen Baughman (5) is 13 yards away from the 1,000-yard rushing mark entering Friday's game vs. Topeka West at Hummer Sports Park. [Photo by Sarah Carson/Special to TSN]

Topeka West picked up its first win of the season last Friday at Kansas City-Turner, with the Chargers taking a 26-21 United Kansas Conference decision over the Bears. Shawnee Heights is coming off a 35-6 loss to undefeated Class 4A power Wamego. T-Bird junior Allen Baughman carried the ball 18 times for 84 yards against Wamego and enters Friday night with 987 yards and 10 touchdowns on 140 attempts.

Hayden sophomore quarterback Jett Wahlmeier passed for 189 yards and four touchdowns in Friday night's 38-0 Class 3A district win over Royal Valley. [File photo/TSN]

HAYDEN (6-0, 3-0 district) at HOLTON (5-1, 2-0 district)

Hayden remained unbeaten with a 38-0 home district romp past Royal Valley last Friday while Holton posted a 48-17 non-district win over Rossville. Hayden sophomore quarterback Jett Wahlmeier completed 10 of 12 passes for 189 yards against Royal Valley, including four touchdowns to sophomore Jensen Schrickel, who had five catches for 147 yards. Wildcat junior Finn Dunshee carried the ball six times for 103 yards and a touchdown.

Seaman senior Bryson Vawter rushed for 149 yards and two touchdowns in the Vikings' 56-13 UKC win over Leavenworth last Friday. [File photo/TSN]

BASEHOR-LINWOOD (5-1, 4-1 UKC) at SEAMAN (4-1, 4-1 UKC)

Friday's game is an important one not only in the United Kansas Conference standings but also as far as seedings for the Class 5A East playoffs. Seaman is coming off a 56-13 UKC win over Leavenworth while Basehor-Linwood took a 32-26 league win over Lansing. Viking sophomore quarterback Max Huston completed 18 of 26 passes for 287 yards and three touchdowns and ran for 68 yards and three TDs on nine attempts. Senior Bryson Vawter carried the ball 21 times for 149 yards and two TDs while senior Jaxson Thomas had 14 carries for 140 yards.

 By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

After being idle the previous week, Seaman returned to action Friday night with a 56-13 United Kansas Conference road romp at Leavenworth.

Now 4-1 overall and in the UKC, took command early against the Pioneers to remain in contention for a top-four seed for the Class 5A playoffs.

Seaman sophomore quarterback Max Huston passed for 287 yards and three touchdowns and ran for 68 yards and three TDs in the Vikings' 56-13 UKC win over Leavenworth. [File photo/TSN]

Seaman senior Bryson Vawter rushed for 149 yards and two touchdowns in the Vikings' 56-13 UKC win over Leavenworth last Friday. [File photo/TSN]

Sophomore quarterback Max Huston completed 18 of 26 pass attempts for 287 yards and three touchdowns against Leavenworth and carried the ball nine times for 68 yards and three TDs.

Senior running back Bryson Vawter rushed for 149 yards and two touchdowns on 21 carries while senior Jaxson Thomas carried the ball 14 times for 140 yards.

Seaman will host Basehor-Linwood, 5-1 overall and 4-1 in the UKC, Friday night in a game with serious playoff implications.

Both the Vikings and Bobcats suffered their lone losses against Shawnee Heights, with Seaman dropping a 14-7 loss to the T-Birds and Basehor-Linwood falling to Heights, 27-0.

TOPEKA WEST 26, KANSAS CITY-TURNER 21 --Both teams entered last Friday night's United Kansas Conference contest looking for their first victory of the 2022 season and it was Topeka West that came out on top, posting a 26-21 road win.

With Friday's victory the Chargers (1-5 overall and in the UKC), gave coach Russell Norton his first win at West.

Topeka West will be at home Friday night to host city rival Shawnee Heights (3-3, 3-2) in a UKC game at Hummer Sports Park.

SILVER LAKE 41, PLEASANT RIDGE 6 --Silver Lake improved to 4-2 overall and 2-0 in Class 2A district play with its 41-6 road win at Pleasant Ridge last Friday night.

Silver Lake jumped out to a 13-0 first-quarter advantage over Pleasant Ridge (2-4, 0-2) and added three second-quarter touchdowns to open up a 34-0 halftime advantage.

Silver Lake made the score 41-0 in the third quarer before Pleasant Ridge scored its lone points in the fourth quarter.

The Eagles will host Maur Hill-Mt. Academy (2-4, 0-2) Friday night in a district contest.

Highland Park senior star Tre Richardson ran for 290 yards and three TDs on 20 carries in last Friday's 70-56 loss at Atchison. [File photo/TSN]

 ATCHISON 70, HIGHLAND PARK 56 -- Highland Park fell to 4-2 last Friday night, falling in a 70-56 scorefest at Atchison in a Meadowlark Conference showdown.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Lenny Njoroge has posted some big wins in his high school cross country career and there definitely could still be more to come.

But Saturday's city boys championship at Washburn Rural was special not only for the Topeka West senior, but for his school as well.

Topeka West senior Lenny Njoroge won his first city cross country title and the Chargers' first since 1993 in Saturday's city meet at Washburn Rural. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Njoroge, who posted his fourth straight individual win, clocked a winning five-kilometer time of 15 minutes, 30 seconds en route to becoming the first Topeka West boys runner to win a city championship since former Charger great Winston Tidwell in 1993.

"City titles are nice, I'm telling you,'' Njoroge said. "They're fun and you're representing your school and especially because we haven't won one in a lot of years, it feels special.''

Njoroge won by 18 seconds over Shawnee Heights junior Jackson Esquibel (15:48.1), with T-Bird senior Kory Sutton third in 15:54.1.

For the second straight week, Esquibel pushed Njoroge early in the race, which the West star said was a benefit.

"It helps a lot so I don't have to run by myself the first mile,'' Njoroge said. "I like him pushing me.''

Washburn Rural runners nailed down the next three spots and placed all of their top five in the top 14 individually as the Junior Blues topped Shawnee Heights for the team championship by a 38-53 margin.

Washburn Rural boys cross country poses with the championship trophy after winning the city team title Saturday at Rural. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

The top 20 medalists in Saturday's city boys cross country championships at Washburn Rural. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Senior Davin Johnson finished a team-high fourth (16:01.6) for the Junior Blues while senior Easton Dial was fifth (16:30.8) and senior Grayson Fink sixth (16:36.4).

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

After finishing third in last year's city meet as as a freshman, Washburn Rural's Payton Fink had her sights set on a title Saturday at Rural and delivered a wire-to-wire win, leading the Junior Blues to a successful defense of their team championship.

Fink jumped out in front early en route to a decisive 30-second victory in a five-kilometer personal-record time of 18 minutes, 10.9 seconds to lead five Junior Blues in the top seven as Rural took the team title by a 21-35 margin over Seaman.

Washburn Rural sophomore Payton Fink won her first city individual cross country title Saturday, leading the Junior Blues to the team crown. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Washburn Rural's girls cross country team poses with its team trophy after winning the city championship by a 21-35 margin over Seaman. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

"I've been working for this for awhile and it just feels great to finally be here,'' Fink said. "Honestly, I just wanted to come out and see what I could do. I didn't really expect to PR today but obviously a PR is always great.''

Seaman got a runner-up  individual finish from freshman Ryin Miller (18:40.7) and a fifth from senior Bethany Druse (19:31.2), but Rural rode its depth to the championship, with sophomore Rylee Ismert finishing third (18:54.3), senior Madeline Carter fourth (18:55.4), freshman Vilde Tronstad sixth (19:44.9) and junior Sydney Laster seventh (19:54.9) to round out the Junior Blues' top five. 

"Our team is incredible,'' Fink said. "We have so many girls that are just up there strong, work hard every practice and we all do our workouts together. Everyone is in great shape for a good end of the season.''

"That's the kind of day we hoped for and they all just came out and did it,'' Washburn Rural coach Matt Swedlund said.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Shawnee Heights senior Jackson Esquibel has put together an outstanding distance career for the T-Birds, winning a pair of state medals in cross country and posting a state title and a runnerup finish in track.

Shawnee Heights senior Jackson Esquibel won his first city individual cross country title Saturday at Kanza Park. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

But Esquibel added something new in Saturday's city boys championship at Kanza Park, winning his first city individual title.

Washburn Rural's Brooks Kehoe (740), Max Gutierrez (763) and Hayden Keller (765) helped the Junior Blues win their 17th straight city cross country title Saturday. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Meanwhile, it was business as usual for Washburn Rural, which rolled to its 17th straight city boys team title by a 35-63 margin over Seaman.

Esquibel clocked a winning five-kilometer time of 15 minutes, 16.7 seconds en route to winning by more than 33 seconds over Seaman sophomore standout Brody Anderson.

"It's my last time at Hummer and I've ran this course since freshman year so I just wanted to see what time I was capable of here and give it my all for myself and build confidence going into the big meets,'' Esquibel said.

"You have goals when you start the season and this is a big meet for me, running a 12-second (personal record), I believe it was. That really just kind of set the tone for the type of shape I'm in and the type of confidence that I have in myself.

:"My supporting cast is just great. They always push me to my limits.''

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

(All kickoffs at 7 p.m.)

WASHBURN RURAL (3-2, 0-2 Centennial) at TOPEKA HIGH (1-4, 1-1 Centennial)

At Hummer Sports Park

Washburn Rural senior linebacker Ty Weber (32) is coming off a 20-tackle performance against Junction City last Friday. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]

Both teams will be looking to bounce back from losses, with Washburn Rural coming off a 24-6 Centennial League loss to Junction City last Friday and Topeka High dropping an 81-13 non-league decision to Wichita Northwest. Topeka High senior quarterback Peyton Wheat has completed 60 of 125 passes on the season for 978 yards and three touchdown while sophomore Jayden Norman has 30 receptions for 497 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Norman caught nine passes for 158 yards and a TD against Northwest. Washburn Rural struggled at times offensively against Junction City after an early touchdown, but senior linebacker Ty Weber registered 20 tackles (13 solos), Wyatt Conklin was in on 10.5 stops and Jaren Heim 10 tackles (seven solo).

Hayden sophomore Jett Wahlmeier completed 12 of 14 passes for 188 yards and a touchdown in last Friday's 44-28 district win at Perry-Lecompton. [Photo by Sarah Carson/Special to TSN]

ROYAL VALLEY (1-4, 0-1 district) at HAYDEN (5-0, 2-0 district)

Hayden remained unbeaten with a 44-28 Class 3A district win at Perry-Lecompton last Friday while Royal Valley dropped a 48-15 district decision to Holton in its district opener. Hayden sophomore quarterback Jett Wahlmeier completed 12 of 14 passes for 188 yards against Perry-Lecompton and has completed 46 of 60 passes on the season for 744 yards and six touchdowns while sophomore Jensen Schrickel has 15 catches for 308 yards and three TDs. Finn Dunshee has carried the ball 31 times for 417 yards while JC Cummings has 40 carries for 345 yards. Schrickel has scored 67 total points.

MADISON (4-1, 2-0 district) at CAIR PARAVEL LATIN (2-3, 0-2 district)

At Highland Park

Cair Paravel Latin is coming off a 57-20 Eight-Man Division I district loss to undefeated Burlingame last week while Madison remained unbeaten in district play with a 40-26 win over Lyndon. Cair Paravel junior Evan Will has completed 35 of 54 pass attempts for 347 yards and 10 touchdowns and rushed for 176 yards and two touchdowns on 23 attempts while Jase Pavlik is 25 of 38 passing for 400 yards and seven TDs. Jachin Bonura has caught 14 passes for 205 yards and six TDs while Jesiah Bonura has 14 catches for 194 yards and three TDs.

Highland Park senior Mackey James (33) leads the Scots with 50 tackles, including 33 solo stops. [File photo/TSN]

 Highland Park senior quarterback Kei'Juan Johnson has rushed for 389 yards and four touchdowns and passed for 660 yards and nine TDs. [File photo/TSN]

HIGHLAND PARK (4-1, 4-0 Meadowlark) at ATCHISON (5-0, 4-0 Meadowlark)

The winner of Friday night's game will be in the driver's seat to win the Meadowlark Conference championship. Atchison posted a 55-6 league win over Kansas City-Washington last week while Highland Park is coming off its first loss of the season, a 59-22 non-league loss at Lincoln College Prep. Highland Park senior Tre Richardson has carried the ball 54 times for 1,031 yards and 16 TDs and caught 21 passes for 555 yards and nine touchdowns. Senior quarterback Kei'Juan Johnson has completed 35 of 51 passes for 660 yards and nine touchdowns and rushed for 389 yards on 33 attempts with four TDs. Mackey James has been in on 50 tackles (33 solo).

 By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

 With the biggest cross country meets of the year rapidly approaching, Topeka West cross country star Lenny Njoroge is comfortable with every aspect of his career.

And that continues to show in Njororoge's results, with the West senior notching his fourth individual win in five races on the year in Saturday's Seaman Invitational at Shawnee North Community Park.

Topeka West senior Lenny Njoroge clocked a winning time of 15:45.96 in Saturday's Seaman Invitational at Shawnee North Community Park. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Shawnee Heights junior Jackson Esquibel finished second in the Seaman Invitational, leading the T-Birds to the boys team title. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Njoroge, who has not finished lower than second this fall, captured Saturday's title in a five-kilometer time of 15 minutes, 45.96 seconds, leading a one-two-three individual finish by city runners.

"This year I feel so comfortable,'' Njoroge said. "I'm in good shape and during that race I was just trying to cruise and push the pace when I could.''

 By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Seaman's girls the opened the championship month of the 2022 cross country season with a decisive win in Saturday's Seaman Invitational at Shawnee North Community Park.

Individual runner-up Ryin Miller led the way as the Vikings put all of their top five runners in the top 11 spots en route to a 34-59 team victory over city rival Washburn Rural.

Seaman freshman Ryin Miller finished second in Saturday's Seaman Invitational cross country meet, leading the Vikings to the girls team title. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Washburn Rural senior Madeline Carter finished third in Saturday's Seaman Invitational, pacing the Junior Blues to a runner-up team finish. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Miller, a freshman, clocked a five-kilometer time of 19 minutes, 02.61 seconds to finish second behind Piper senior Grace Hanson, who won the race in 18:27.88.

Seaman also got a sixth-place finish from senior Bethany Druse (20:26.48) while senior Leah Spurlock (20:38.61), sophomore Stella Appelhanz (20:51.54) and junior Savannah Sampson (20:54.95) finished ninth, 10th and 11th.

Seaman sophomore Anna Becker added a 13th-place finish in 21:25.65.

"We ran well and I'm real happy about that,'' Seaman coach Rick Brading said. "Ryin Miller had a great day Leah Spurlock had a really good day today as our third runner.''

Brading was happy with the balance the Vikings displayed in Saturday's win.

"Our girls understand that as each individual runner runs better our team score's going to be better,'' Brading said. "Plus, kids compete against their own teammates, so that helps us.''

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

(All kickoffs at 7 p.m.)

Washburn Rural junior quarterback Branton DeWeese threw for a pair of TD passes in last week's 28-25 loss to unbeaten Manhattan. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]

JUNCTION CITY (3-1, 0-0 Centennial) at WASHBURN RURAL (3-1, 0-1 Centennial)

Washburn Rural suffered its first loss of the season last Friday, a 28-25 Centennial League decision at unbeaten Manhattan, while Junction City improved to 3-1 with a 28-21 non-league win over perennial Class 5A power Bishop Carroll. The Blue Jays will be making their league debut on Friday. Washburn Rural junior quarterback Branton DeWeese threw for a pair of touchdown passes against Manhattan while senior running back Ma'kenttis Adams scored on a 76-yard touchdown run. 

ROSSVILLE (2-2, 1-0 district) at SILVER LAKE (2-2, 0-0 district)

The Bulldawgs and Eagles will square off in the annual War on 24, regarded as one of the state's premier rivalries. Rossville opened Class 2A District 3 play with a 49-8 romp past previously-unbeaten Atchison County last week while Silver Lake is coming off a 44-28 loss to Mid-East League opponent Rock Creek. Junior quarterback Camden Horak and senior Braiden Hensley had big nights for the Bulldawgs against Atchison County, connecting on four touchdown passes. Rossville opened its scoring with a 48-yard TD pass from Horak to Hensley and also hooked up on 20, 58 and 13-yard TD strikes.

Shawnee Heights junior Allen Baughman (5) has rushed for 781 and 10 touchdowns for the 3-1 T-Birds. [Photo by Sarah Carson/Special to TSN]

DE SOTO (3-1, 3-0 UKC) at SHAWNEE HEIGHTS (3-1, 3-1 UKC)

Shawnee Heights ran its winning streak to three games with a 27-0 shutout over Basehor-Linwood last Friday. The T-Birds have now outscored their past three opponents by an 87-30 margin since a season-opening loss to Piper. Allen Baughman, a junior running back, carried the ball 29 times for 284 yards and three touchdowns against Basehor-Linwood and has 781 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns on the season. De Soto's lone loss was a 28-21 loss to Washburn Rural in Week 2. The Wildcats are undefeated in United Kansas Conference competition, including a 57-16 win over Leavenworth last week. 

Senior Tre Richardson has rushed for 896 yards and 15 TDs and has 453 receiving yards and eight TDs for 4-0 Highland Park. [File photo/TSN

HIGHLAND PARK (4-0) at LINCOLN COLLEGE PREP (4-1)

Highland Park remained unbeaten overall and in the Meadowlark Conference with a 74-0 romp past KC-Harmon last Thursday at Hummer Sports Park. Scot senior star Tre Richardson scored all six times he touched the ball as the Scots put the game out of reach with a 50-0 first quarter. Richardson has rushed for 896 yards and 15 touchdowns on 45 attempts, caught 13 pases for 453 yards and eight TDs and also passed for a TD. Highland Park, off to a 4-0 start for the first time since 1995, will step outside its conference and state on Friday to face a Lincoln Prep team that is 4-1 after a 14-13 win over Van Horn, its third straight victory.

HAYDEN (4-0, 1-0 district) at PERRY-LECOMPTON (1-3, 0-1 district)

Hayden opened Class 3A District 4 competition last Friday with a 52-14 home win over Jefferson West last week while Perry-Lecompton opened district play with a 49-18 loss to Holton. The Wildcats put the Tigers away early, scoring the first 37 points by the 8:04 mark of the second quarter and leading 44-7 at the half. Senior JC Cummings opened Hayden's scoring with a 16-yard run and also scored on a 58-yard pass from sophomore quarterback Jett Wahlmeier. Junior Finn Dunshee scored on a 29-yard pass from Wahlmeier and a 53-yard run. Hayden also got touchdowns from seniors Braydn Rose and Dylan Foster and junior Broderick Desch.

 By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Hayden continued its impressive start to the 2022 football season Friday night, improving to 4-0 with a 52-14 home romp over Jefferson West in the Class 3A District 4 opener for both schools.

Hayden senior JC Cummings takes a handoff from sophomore Jett Wahlmeier in Friday's 52-14 district win over Jefferson West. [Photo by Sarah Carson/Special to TSN]

Hayden quarterback Jett Wahlmeier (7) talks to Wildcat coach Bill Arnold during Friday night's 52-14 Class 3A district win over Jefferson West at Hayden. [Photo by Sarah Carson/Special to TSN]

The Wildcats put the game away early on, scoring the first 37 points by the 8:04 mark of the second quarter and leading 44-7 at the half.

Senior JC Cummings opened Hayden's scoring with a 16-yard run and also scored on a 58-yard pass from sophomore quarterback Jett Wahlmeier.

Junior Finn Dunshee scored on a 29-yard pass from Wahlmeier and a 53-yard run.

Hayden also got touchdowns from seniors Braydn Rose and Dylan Foster and junior Broderick Desch.

Jefferson West (0-4) scored both of its touchdowns on long pass plays.

SEAMAN 50, LANSING 32 -- Seaman bounced back from its first loss of the season with a 50-32 United Kansas Conference victory over Lansing on Homecoming night at Seaman.

Seaman's Gabe Hernandez got the Vikings off to a good start when he batted a Lansing pass in the air and intercepted at the goal line for a touchdown at the 9:21 mark of the first quarter.

Lansing tied the game later in the quarter on a 25-yard pass from Dalton Jorgensen to Lexton Grafke but the Vikings broke the tie with 18 seconds left in the first on a 1-yard run from Bryson Vawter.

Lansing cut its deficit to 14-10 on a 25-yard Casey Watkins field goal early in the second quarter but Seaman answered with a 63-yard touchdown pass from Max Huston to Adonis VanLeeuwen to boost its lead to 21-10.

Lansing got a 35-yard pick six from Ian Patton and converted the 2-point conversion to cut Seaman's lead to 21-18 with 4:13 left in the half, but Huston scored from 4 yards out with 23 seconds left in the half to give the Vikings a 28-18 halftime lead.

Huston opened the third-quarter scoring with a 4-yard TD run to put Seaman up 35-18 and Lansing got no closer than 10 points the rest of the way.

Seaman also got a pair of second-half scores from Jack Bloom on 1-yard and 12-yard runs to take a 50-25 advantage before the Lions scored a TD in the final minute.

Huston completed 14 of 26 passes for 184 yards while Vawter carried the ball 29 times for 155 yards and Bloom had 132 yards on 12 attempts.

Jorgensen passed for 221 yards on an 18 of 40 night, but Seaman picked off the Lansing quarterback three times.

ROSSVILLE 49, ATCHISON COUNTY 8 -- Rossville opened Class 2A district play with a statement win, with the Bulldawgs rolling to a 49-8 District 3 decision over previously-unbeaten Atchison County at Rossville.

Junior quarterback Camden Horak and senior Braiden Hensley had big nights for the Bulldawgs, connecting on four touchdown passes.

Rossville opened its scoring with a 48-yard TD pass from Horak to Hensley and also hooked up on 20, 58 and 13-yard TD strikes.

Horak also scored on a 32-yard run while Kade Perine had a 1-yard TD and Tayson Horak scored Rossville's final TD on a 75-yard run.

Cedric Leistenschneider kicked five extra points while Perine had a 2-point conversion run.

With Friday's win Rossville evened its record at 2-2. 

MANHTATTAN 28, WASHBURN RURAL 25 -- Manhattan outlasted Washburn Rural 28-25 Friday night at Cico Park in a key Centennial League battle between two of the top Class 6A teams in Kansas.

Manhattan improved to 4-0 overall while Washburn Rural fell to 3-1. The Indians are now 2-0 in the Centennial League while Washburn Rural is 0-1 with a key matchup with Junction City looming next Friday.

Washburn Rural senior Ma'kenttis Adams takes off on a 76-yard touchdown run in the opening minute of Friday's 28-25 Centennial League loss at Manhattan. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]

Ty Weber and the Washburn Rural defense celebrate a big play in Friday's 28-25 Junior Blue loss at Manhattan. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]

Rural senior Ma'kenttis Adams put the Junior Blues in front with a 76-yard touchdown run in the opening minute, but Manhattan answered with a long touchdown pass from Keenan Schartz to Jaxon Bowles.

The Indians missed the extra point to leave Rural with a 7-6 lead but Manhattan got a scoring run from DeAndre Auckland and a 2-point conversion to go in front by a 14-7 margin.

A Dayten Smoot field goal and a TD pass from Branton DeWeese to Titan Osburn put Rural back in front 17-14 late in the opening half but Schartz scored with a half-minute remaining to give Manhattan a 21-17 halftime advantage.

An Auckland TD midway through the third quarter boosted Manhattan's advantage to 28-17 before Washburn Rural got a scoring pass from DeWeese to Amr Sabbarini and a 2-point conversion midway through the fourth quarter.

Washburn Rural had a late opportunity to pull out the win but Manhattan's third interception of the night clinched the win.

LYNDON 28, CAIR PARAVEL LATIN 24 --Cair Paravel Latin took a  24-22 lead in the fourth quarter but Lyndon answered to pull out the 28-24 Eight-Man Division I District 2 decision.

Friday's game between Cair Paravel, in its first year as a full Kansas State High School Activities Association member, and undefeated Lyndon was close throughout, with a tie and four lead changes.

Lyndon, now 4-0 and 1-0 in district play, went on top 8-0 with a 27-yard run from Jalen Massey and a Massey conversion run, but Cair Paravel (2-2, 0-1) answered with a 16-yard touchdown pass from Evan Will to Jesiah Bonura and a Will conversion run to knot the game at 8-8 in the second quarter.

The Tigers took a 14-8 halftime advantage on a 29-yard TD pass from Jackson Biggs to Evan Feuerborn (conversion failed) but Cair Paravel led 16-14 entering the fourth quarter after a 4-yard Will rush and a 2-point conversion pass from Simon Everhart to to Ty Gossard.

Lyndon regained the lead on 44-yard pass from Biggs to Ethen Raney (Feuerborn run), but CPLS took the lead a final time on a 5-yard Will pass to Jachin Bonura and a 2-point conversion pass from Will to Bonura before the Tiger scored the game-winning TD on a 10-yard Biggs passs to Ben Detwiler.

Will completed 14 of 22 passes for 118 yards and three touchdowns and added 47 rushing yards on 14 attempts.

Jesiah Bonura caught seven passes for 50 yards while Jachin Bonura caught seven passes for 17 yards and Everhart four catches for 62 yards.

Noah Collins led Cair Paravel with seven solo tackles.   

ROCK CREEK 44, SILVER LAKE 28 --Rock Creek improved to 3-1 on the season with a 44-28 home Mid-East League victory over Silver Lake Friday night.

Silver Lake fell to 2-2 on the season.

The Eagles will open Class 2A District 3 play at home next Friday against arch-rival Rossville, which is 1-0 in the district and 2-2 overall.

Related Stories and Videos

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

THURSDAY NIGHT

KANSAS CITY-HARMON (0-3, 0-3) at HIGHLAND PARK (3-0, 3-0)

At Hummer Sports Park

Highland Park senior star Tre Richardson has had a hand in 20 touchdowns for the 3-0 Scots. [File photo/TSN]

Highland Park improved to 3-0 overall and in the Meadowlark Conference with a 63-36 win over KC-Sumner last Friday at Hummer Sports Park. Scot senior star Tre Richardson had a hand in six touchdowns, giving him 20 on the season and also scored a pair of 2-point conversions and picked off a pass. Richardson and quarterback Kei'Juan Johnson combined for more than 400 rushing yards against Sumner. Highland Park will be facing a Harmon team that has been outscored 207-0 in its first three games, including a 72-0 loss to Atchison last week. The Scots are off to a 3-0 start for the first time since Nick McGrain's team won its first four games in 1995. Game time: 7 p.m.

FRIDAY NIGHT

JEFFERSON WEST (0-3) at HAYDEN (3-0)

Hayden sophomore Jensen Schrickel scored four touchdowns last Friday night in the Wildcats' 55-34 win over Rossville. [Photo by Sarah Carson/Special to TSN]

Hayden opens Class 3A District 4 competition Friday night after remaining unbeaten with a 55-34 home win over Rossville last week. Sophomore Jensen Schrickel scored four touchowns and 31 points for the Wildcats against Rossville. Schrickel returned the opening kickoff 74 yards for a TD and also scored on a 67-yard punt return, a 48-yard pass reception from sophomore quarterback Jett Wahlmeier, a 12-yard run on a reverse and kicked seven extra points. Senior JC Cummings rushed for 132 yards on 11 carries, including a 98-yard touchdown run, and junior Finn Dunshee added 83 yards on seven attempts. Jefferson West has been outscored 111-28, including a 57-0 loss to Sabetha last week. Game time: 7 p.m.

EMPORIA (1-2, 0-0) at TOPEKA HIGH (0-3, 0-1)

At Hummer Sports Park

Topeka High is coming off a 27-0 road loss at Liberal last Friday while Emporia is dropped a 56-24 decision to Salina Central. Emporia played Liberal in Week 2, dropping a 53-0 decision. The Spartans willl be playing their Centennial League opener while the Trojans fell at Manhattan in their second game of the season, 59-7. Topeka High senior quarterback Peyton Wheat and sophomore receiver Jayden Norman are key offensive weapons on offense for the Trojans. Game time: 7 p.m.

Washburn Rural senior Ma'kenttis Adams rushed for 179 yards and scored two touchdowns in the Junior Blues' 37-10 non-league win over Piper Friday night. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]

WASHBURN RURAL (3-0, 0-0) at MANHATTAN (3-0, 1-0)

At Cico Park

Washburn Rural remained unbeaten with a 37-10 win over Piper last Friday while Manhattan topped Hays, 31-21. Senior Ma'kenttis Adams finished the night with 179 rushing yards and two TDs on 16 carries as Rural topped the 300-yard rushing mark as a team. Junior quarterback Branton DeWeese completed 13 of 20 passes for 154 yards and two touchdowns and added 79 rushing yards on 13 carries. Junior Titan Osburn caught three passes for 66 yards and two touchdowns while junior Calvin Hayes had four catches for 34 yards and senior Amr Sabarrini two catches for 31 yards. Game time: 7 p.m.

 By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Locked in a three-point game at halftime Friday night, Washburn Rural dominated the second half on the way to a 37-10 non-league win over Piper at Bowen-Glaze Stadium.

Rural, which improved to 3-0 on the season, led by just a 13-10 count at the half but broke the game open with 21 third-quarter points while the Junior Blue defense pitched a second-half shutout.

Washburn Rural senior Ma'kenttis Adams rushed for 179 yards and scored two touchdowns in the Junior Blues' 37-10 non-league win over Piper Friday night. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]

Washburn Rural quarterback Branton DeWeese (5) celebrates a touchdown with Ma'kenttis Adams (2) in Friday's 37-10 Junior Blue win over Piper. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]

Washburn Rural's defense, gang-tackling a Piper ball-carrier, pitched a second-half shutout in the Junior Blues' 37-10 win Friday night. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN] 

Piper jumped out to a 7-0 lead in the first quarter on a 77-yard fumble return but Rural pulled even on a 1-yard plunge by freshman TJ Minikwu.

Rural went in front to stay on an 11-yard touchdown pass from junior Branton DeWeese to junior Titan Osborn (extra point blocked) before Piper cut its deficit to 13-10 with a 20-yard field goal.

Senior Ma'kenttis Adams opened the second-half scoring with a 19-yard TD run and and DeWeese connected with senior Lukas Hanks for a 2-point conversion to give Rural a 21-10 advantage.

DeWeese then connnected with Osburn for a 46-yard TD strike (conversion failed) and Adams capped a big night with a 58-yard touchdown run.

Adams finished the night with 179 rushing yards and two TDs on 16 carries as Rural topped the 300-yard rushing mark as a team.

DeWeese completed 13 of 20 passes for 154 yards and two touchdowns and added 79 rushing yards on 13 carries.

Osburn caught three passess for 66 yards and two touchdowns while junior Calvin Hayes had four catches for 34 yards and senior Amr Sabarrini two catches for 31 yards.

Washburn Rural travels to Manhattan next Friday for a key Centennial League game.

HIGHLAND PARK 63, KANSAS CITY-SUMNER ACADEMY 36 --Tre Richardson had a hand in six touchdowns -- now 20 on the season -- and also scored a pair of 2-point conversions and picked off a pass as Highland Park improved to 3-0 overall and in the league with a 63-36 Meadowlark Conference victory over Kansas City-Sumner Academy at Hummer Sports Park.

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

(All kickoffs at 7 p.m.)

ROSSVILLE (1-1) at HAYDEN (2-0)

Hayden junior Finn Dunshee rushed for 151 yards and a touchdown and also had a pick-six on defense in the Wildcats' 43-10 wn at Silver Lake last Friday night. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

Hayden improved to 2-0 with a 43-10 at Silver Lake last Friday night while Rossville is coming off a 36-15 Mid-East League win over Riley County. Hayden scored touchdowns on offense, defense and special teams, all in the first half. Junior Finn Dunshee rushed for 151 yards and a 76-yard touchdown and also scored on a 33-yard interception return while senior JC Cummings rushed for 104 yards and a TD and sophomore Jensen Schrickel scored on a 48-yard punt return and an 82-yard pass reception from sophomore Jett Wahlmeier and also picked off a pass. After having its 26-game winning streak snapped a week earlier, two-time defending Class 2A champion Rossville bounced back with a big win. Senior Kade Perine led the Bulldawgs with 138 rushing yards and three touchdowns and Rossville never trailed after jumping out to a 14-0 first-quarter advantage. Rossville coach Derick Hammes is a former assistant coach at Hayden and was part of the Wildcats' undefeated 4A state championship team in 2004. 

SHAWNEE HEIGHTS (1-1, 1-1) at SEAMAN (2-0, 2-0)

 Shawnee Heights junior Allen Baughman (5) rushed for 222 yards and five touchdowns in the T-Birds' 46-23 UKC win over Piper last Friday. [Photo by Sarah Carson/Special to TSN]

Seaman has outscored its first two United Kansas Conference opponents by a 128-14 margin, including a 70-0 win over Kansas City-Turner last Friday. Shawnee Heights picked up its first win in a 46-23 home UKC decision over Lansing. T-Bird junior Allen Baughman rushed for 222 yards on 22 carries and scored five touchdowns. Friday will be the first meeting for the longtime city rivals as members of the UKC, with Seaman joining the league this school year. Junior Jack Bloom leads a balanced Seaman rushing attack with 159 yards and three touchdowns on nine carries while senior Bryson Vawter has 147 yards and four touchowns on 17 attempts. Sophomore quarterback Max Huston is 9 of 14 passing for 213 yards and two touchdowns.

PIPER (1-1) at WASHBURN RURAL (2-0)

Washburn Rural is 2-0 on the season after last Friday's second straight come-from-behind victory, a 28-21 non-league win over De Soto. Rural junior quarterback Branton DeWeese passed for 314 yards and three touchdowns while senior Ma'kenttis Adams carried the ball 26 times for 150 yards, junior Titan Osburn caught three passes for 97 yards and a pair of touchdowns and senior Amr Sabbarini had four catches for 53 yards and a TD. Senior Ty Weber registered 24 tackles for the Junior Blues. 

ST. MARYS (1-1, 1-1) at SILVER LAKE (1-1, 1-0)

Both teams will be looking to bounce back from their first losses of the season, with Silver Lake dropping a 43-10 decision to Hayden and St. Marys falling to Rock Creek, 41-20. Silver Lake junior quarterback Tanner Martin passed for 258 yards and a touchdown last week against Hayden while Trenton Rollenhagen caught three passes for 121 yards, including a 64-yarder. Friday will be a big night for the Silver Lake football family, with the Eagles honoring coaching legend CJ Hamilton, who retired following the 2021 season as the winningest coach in Kansas. Silver Lake's football stadium is named CJ Hamilton Field.

KANSAS CITY-SUMNER ACADEMY (1-1, 1-1) at HIGHLAND PARK (2-0, 2-0)

At Hummer Sports Park

Highland Park senior Tre Richardson has had a hand 14 touchdowns in two games, leading the Scots to a 2-0 start to the season. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

Highland Park improved to 2-0 in the Meadowlark Conference with a 48-29 road win at Kansas City-Schlagle last Friday. Highland Park senior Tre Richardson continued his monster 2022 season, scoring eight touchowns against Schlagle and has now had a hand in 14 TDs in just two weeks for the Scots. Highland Park will be facing a Sumner Academy team that is 1-1 in the league and overall after a 47-20 loss to Atchison last week. The Sabres opened the season with a 21-0 win over KC-Washington while Highland Park opened with a 60-47 win over KC-Wyandotte in Week 1, with the Scots snapping their 65-game, eight-year losing streak.