Cair Paravel Lions
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
The 2024 portion of the Shawnee County high school basketball season cranks up in a hurry, with all 10 county schools in action this week, beginning with a pair of Centennial League games on Tuesday, Jan. 2.
Here's a glance at all of this week's girls games involving county teams:
TUESDAY
Junior Brylee Meier is averaging team-highs of 16 points and 7.6 rebounds for 5-0 Hayden. [Photo by Kyle Grunert/Special to TSN]
EMPORIA GIRLS (5-1 overall, 0-0 Centennial) at HAYDEN (5-0 overall, 0-0 Centennial)
The Spartans and Wildcats open Centennial League play Tuesday night while meeting for the second time this season. Hayden took a 50-45 win over in the Paul Terry Classic at Emporia in early Dec., handing the Spartans their lone loss in a 5-1 start. Emporia wrapped up the 2023 portion of its schedule with a 43-29 win over Great Bend while Hayden rolled to a 61-7 non-league decision over Kansas City-Ward in its '23 finale. Junior Brylee Meier is averaging a team-high 16 points and 7.6 rebounds for Hayden while Kaliya Fulton averages 10.6 points, Norma Greco 9.2 and Lauren Sandstrom 8.4 points. Fulton averages 3.8 assists. Hayden is ranked No. 2 in Class 3A by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association while Emporia is No. 6 in 5A.
Freshman Maddie Vickery (right) is averaging 15 points, 8.4 rebounds and 1.6 blocks for Washburn Rural. [File photo/TSN]
WASHBURN RURAL GIRLS (4-1 overall, 0-0 Centennial) at JUNCTION CITY (0-6 overall, 0-0 Centennial)
Washburn Rural, ranked No. 6 in Class 6A by the KBCA, will put a three-game win streak on the line in its Centennial League opener while Junction City is still looking for its first win as it opens league play. Freshman Maddie Vickery leads the Junior Blues with a 15-point scoring average, 8.4 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game. Senior Zoe Canfield is averaging 14.5 points and 2.5 assists while junior Kate Hinck is averaging 4.0 steals. Washburn Rural wrapped up 2023 with a 52-26 win over Kapaun Mt. Carmel while Junction City dropped a 58-10 decision to Bishop Carroll in its final game before the holdays.
THURSDAY
Freshman Ahsieryrhuajh Rayton leads Topeka High with a 13.2 scoring average. [File photo/TSN]
TOPEKA HIGH GIRLS (2-4 overall) at BLUE VALLEY NORTHWEST (3-1 overall)
Topeka High closed out its pre-holday slate with a 40-33 non-league win over Bonner Springs while Northwest took a 46-45 win over Lee's Summit North, Mo. in its final game of 2023. Freshman Ahsieryrhuajh Rayton averages a team-high 13.2 points for Topeka High
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Shawnee County high schools captured a pair of boys state team titles in 2023 while county athletes combined to earn a whopping 13 individual championships, led by six athletes who captured multiple gold medals.
Topeka West is No. 1 on TopSports.news' list of the Top 10 boys high school sports stories of 2023 after two-time state doubles champs Ian and Miles Cusick led the Chargers to the Class 5A state tennis title while Washburn Rural bowling is right behind West after turning in one of the top performances in state tournament history en route to the 6A boys team championship.
Individually, Shawnee Heights distance ace Jackson Esquibel won state titles in two sports in 2023 while former Highland Park star Tre Richardson and Hayden's Jake Muller, Finn Dunshee, Jensen Schrickel and Liam Stegman all captured multiple state championships.
Here's a look at TopSports.news' Top 10 Shawnee County boys prep stories of 2023:
Topeka West twin brothers Ian and Miles Cusick exchange a hug after winning their second straight Class 5A doubles title in 2023. [File photo/TSN]
Topeka West's tennis poses for a team picture after winning the school's first Class 5A boys state tennis team title in May. [Submitted photo]
1. TWIN TITLES -- After leading Topeka West tennis to a second-place team finish with their first Class 5A state doubles championship in 2022 twin brothers Ian and Miles Cusick and Kurt Davids' Chargers completed their title quests in 2023. The Cusicks capped their bid for a repeat with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Arkansas City's Oakley and Dawson O'Donnell in the state final while all six West players earned state medals as the Chargers won the school's first boys state team crown by a 34-28 margin over Blue Valley Southwest. West senior Carter Cool added a seventh-place state singles finish while then-juniors Caden McGee and Caleb Weybrew finished ninth in doubles and then-junor James Maag placed 11th in singles.
Washburn Rural's boys bowling team won the 2023 Class 6A state championship by 135 pins. [Photo by Selena Favela/Special to TSN]
2. STRIKING GOLD -- A year after failing to qualify for state as a team in 2022, Jo Ricard's Junior Blues turned in a performance for the ages in the 2023 state meet, winning the Class 6A state team championship by a whopping 135 pins over Olathe Northwest (3,711-3,576). Senior Josh Hammons paced Rural with a fourth-place individual finish (725) while then-sophomore Logan Glinka finished seventh (696) and senior Walker Thompson 11th (671).
As a senior Highland Park's Tre Richardson posted four top-four finishes with a pair of Class 5A state titles in the state track meet, scoring 33 total points. [File photo/TSN]
3. TRE-RIFIC --After helping Highland Park's football team snap an eight-year losing skid with a breakout 6-3 season to end 2022, Scot star Tre Richardson helped lead the Scots to a 24-1 record and a third-place Class 5A state finish in basketball. But Richardson saved his best for last, winning a pair of gold medals in the long jump and 100-meter dash and posting four top-four finishes in the 5A state track meet. Richardson scored 33 points to outscore 32 other 5A schools by himself.
NOTE: Statistics for city boys basketball teams were compiled by Seaman girls coach Matt Tinsley. The following stats are the first of three statistical reports which will be released during the 2023-2024 season, capped by the season-ending stats.
Highland Park senior Tamir Anderson leads the city in scoring and 3-point field goals. [File photo/TSN]
SCORING
Name, school Gms. Pts. Avg
Anderson, Highland Park 3 74 24.7
Robinson, Highland Park 3 60 20.0
Bonner, Seaman 4 79 19.8
Sanchez, Shawnee Heights 5 91 18.2
Colboch, Hayden 5 81 16.2
Hales, Topeka High 6 91 15.2
Williams, Highland Park 3 41 13.7
B. Finley, Seaman 4 54 13.5
Dodge, Shawnee Heights 5 66 13.2
Foy, Topeka West 6 76 12.7
Everhart, Cair Paravel 6 75 12.5
Chambers, Topeka West 6 74 12.3
Ballard, Washburn Rural 5 58 11.6
Villegas, Topeka High 6 67 11.2
Taylor, Highland Park 3 33 11.0
Shawnee Heights junior Jaret Sanchez leads the city in rebounding with a 9.8 average. [File photo/TSN]
REBOUNDING
Name, school Gms. Total Avg.
Sanchez, Shawnee Heights 5 49 9.8
NOTE: Statistics for city girls basketball teams were compiled by Seaman girls coach Matt Tinsley. The following stats are the first of three statistical reports which will be released during the 2023-2024 season, capped by the season-ending stats.
Highland Park junior Amelia Ramsey is the city leader in scoring and rebounding entering 2024. [File photo/TSN]
SCORING
Name, school Gms. Pts. Avg
Ramsey, Highland Park 3 66 22.0
Meier, Hayden 5 80 16.0
Vickery, Washburn Rural 5 75 15.0
Canfield, Washburn Rural 2 29 14.5
McGlory, Topeka West 6 86 14.3
Becker, Seaman 5 68 13.6
Emmot, Shawnee Heights 5 67 13.4
Rayton, Topeka High 5 66 13.2
Broils, Highland Park 3 38 12.7
T. Stallbaumer, Seaman 5 62 12.4
Carter, Highland Park 3 33 11.0
Gragg, Seaman 5 53 10.6
Fulton, Hayden 5 53 10.6
Greco, Hayden 5 46 9.2
Vega, Shawnee Heights 5 44 8.8
REBOUNDING
Name, school Gms. Total Avg.
Ramsey, Highland Park 3 45 15.0
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Editor's note: @TopSports.news plans to run high school basketball roundups throughout the 2023-2024 season for the 10 Shawnee County high schools. Coaches are encouraged to submit game reports to
------------------------------------------------
Hayden's girls basketball team wrapped up the championship in the Paul Terry Classic with a 57-35 win over Wichita Trinity on Saturday at Emporia's White Auditorium.
Hayden's girls baketball team poses for a team picture after winning the championship in the Paul Terry Classic Saturday at Emporia. [Photo by Kyle Grunert/Special to TSN]
Hayden junior Brylee Meier (25) hoists the Paul Terry Classic trophy Saturday at Emporia's White Auditorium as the Wildcats celebrate the title. [Photo by Kyle Grunert/Special to TSN]
The Wildcats, who are ranked No. 2 in Class 3A by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association, improved to 4-0 on the season with Saturday's victory, their third tournament victory in as many days.
Junior Brylee Meier scored 29 points with four 3-pointers in Hayden's 57-35 win over Wichita Trinity on Saturday. [Photo by Kyle Grunert/Special to TSN]
Junior Brylee Meier scored 29 points with four 3-pointers to power Hayden past Trinity.
Hayden opened the tournament with a 48-30 win over Spring Hill on Thursday before knocking off tournament host Emporia, ranked No. 6 in 5A on Friday, 50-45.
Meier scored 17 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in Friday's win over Centennial League rival Emporia while junior Kaliya Fulton added 12 points.
Hayden will play a road game Friday against Kansas City-Bishop Ward.
Rossville's girls basketball team poses for a team picture after winning the championship in the Irish Classic Saturday in Chapman. [Rossville Bulldawgs photo]
ROSSVILLE GIRLS 83, CHAPMAN 40
Rossville's girls wrapped up the championship in the Irish Classic with an 83-40 romp past tournament host Chapman on Saturday.
The 4-0 Bulldawgs got 25 points from freshman Nora Burdiek, 23 from sophomore Rylee Dick and 14 from senior Emma Mitchell in Saturday's win over Chapman.
By Todd Fertig
TopSports.news
The Cair Paravel Latin boys basketball team held off a late rally by Mission Valley to beat the Vikings 48-40 at Cair Paravel Thursday.
The Lions built an 18-point lead by the middle of the third period, but saw that margin evaporate quickly.
Cair Paravel senior Simon Everhart (1) drives the lane in Thursday's 48-40 win over Mission Valley. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Mission Valley used a 13-2 run to get back in the contest, eventually whittling the Cair Paravel lead to just three points with a minute remaining.
“There’s a lot of momentum that happens,” Cair Paravel coach Chip Kueffer said. “There for a moment we were playing not to lose. You always want to play to win. In the first half, we took some bad shots that went in. That’s sort of fool’s gold. That catches up to you.''
The Lions were handcuffed by fouls which sent several of their players to the bench for extended stretches. The Lions committed 17 fouls in the first period alone.
“You can write it on the white board but sometimes the game gets away from you. You’ve got to control what you can control,” Kueffer said. “Fortunately, we had a lot of guys come in off the bench and make contributions early. I’m grateful for the way we handled the adversity.”
Most notably, Cair Paravel senior Rich Hembold come into the game and drilled three 3-pointers in the second period.
When it got down to crunch time, it was senior guard Simon Everhart who came through. He scored 10 of the Lions’ last 13 points, mainly by knocking down eight of nine free throws in the second half.
Chip Kueffer's Cair Paravel Latin boys improved to 3-2 with Thursday's 48-40 win over Mission Valley. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
“Evan Will, Simon Everhart, Ty Gossard, those guys made big plays in the last three or four minutes,” Kueffer said. “We kind of made it hard on ourselves, but those guys kept their composure and finished the game for us.”
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Editor's note: @TopSports.news plans to run high school basketball roundups throughout the 2023-2024 season for the 10 Shawnee County high schools. Coaches are encouraged to submit game reports to
------------------------------------------------
Coming off a 24-1 season and a third-place finish in the Class 5A state tournament, Highland Park's boys basketball team is off and running again, opening its season Tuesday night with a 90-33 non-league road win at Bonner Springs.
Tamir Anderson
Ja'Corey Robinson
Highland Park, ranked No. 3 in 5A by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association, had four players crack double figures, led by senior Tamir Anderson, who scored a game-high 21 points on seven 3-pointers.
Junior Ja'Corey Robinson scored 19 points for the Scots, followed by senior Amari Taylor with 16 points (two 3-pointers) and junior Mikey Williams with 15 points.
Highland Park was in command after opening up a 28-12 first-quarter lead and the Scots took a 46-23 advantage to the locker room at halftime.
The Scots finished off the rout with a 44-10 scoring advantage in the second half, holding Bonner Springs scoreless in the fourth quarter. A running clock was used throughout the fourth.
Highland Park will return to action next Tuesday, traveling to Kansas City-Southeast, Mo.
HIGHLAND PARK GIRLS 52, BONNER SPRINGS 41
Highland Park, which advanced to the 5A state tournament a season ago, opened its season with a 52-41 non-league road win at Bonner Springs Tuesday night, getting a monster game from junior star Amelia Ramsey.
Amelia Ramsey
Ramsey, an All-Shawnee County pick last season, scored 21 points and grabbed 23 rebounds to key Highland Park's season-opening win.
Tahtionna Broils joined Ramsey in double figures for the Scots, finishing with 16 points.
Highland Park, ranked No. 10 in 5A by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association, will travel to Kansas City-Southeast, Mo. on Thursday.
ROSSVILLE BOYS 56, KC-WARD 48
Rossville evened its record at 1-1 with a 56-48 home win over Kansas City-Bishop Ward Tuesday night in the opening round of the Irish Classic.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Cair Paravel Latin's boys basketball team opened the Chip Kueffer era with a come-from-behind 46-42 win over Burlingame in the opening round of the Waverly tournament.
Kueffer was making his debut as the Lions' coach and picked up the win as CPLS closed with a strong fourth-quarter rally.
Cair Paravel senior Evan Will scored 14 points, including the game-winning 3-pointer, in the Lions' 46-42 win over Burlingame on Thursday. [Photo by Jan Pabitzky/Special to TSN]
Evan Will led the Lions with 14 points and hit the game-winning 3-pointer from the left wing off a pass from Ian Brian.
Brian also came up with an offensive rebound off a missed Lion free throw with 10 seconds remaining to clinch the win.
CPLS senior Simon Everhart scored 10 points in Thursday's 46-42 season-opening win over Burlingame in the Waverly tournament. [Photo by Jan Pabitzky/Special to TSN]
Ty Gossard goes to the hoop in Thursday's 46-42 Cair Paravel win over Burlingame. [Photo by Jan Pabitzky/Special to TSN\
Ty Gossard and Simon Everhart added 10 points apiece for the Lions.
Cair Paravel will face tournament host Waverly at 7:30 p.m. Friday.
WASHBURN RURAL GIRLS 53, NEWTON 13
Maddie Vickery, a 6-foot-1 freshman, scored 18 points in her high school debut, helping lead Washburn Rural to a 53-13 win over Newton in the first round of the Hays Shootout.
In addition to Vickery's game-high performance, the Junior Blues got 13 points from junior Kate Hinck.
Washburn Rural played without senior standout Zoe Canfield.
The Junior Blues, who won the Class 6A state title in 2022 and finished second in 2023, advanced to a 6:30 p.m. Friday semifinal game to face tournament host Hays.
Rural will close out its tournament appearance on Saturday.
BURLINGAME GIRLS 57, CAIR PARAVEL LATIN 30
Burlingame topped Cair Paravel Latin 57-30 in the opening round of the Waverly tournament.
The Lions will play Waverly at 6 p.m. Friday.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Hayden, which advanced to the Class 3A state championship game, and 6A semifinalist Washburn Rural combined for 11 Top 22 spots on TopSports.news' 2023 All-Shawnee County football team while Seaman's Max Huston and Rural's JC Heim garnered the top individual honors.
Washburn Rural senior linebacker JC Heim has been named the TopSports.news All-Shawnee County defensive player of the year after registering 173 tackles for the 11-1 Junior Blues. [File photo/TSN]
Seaman junior quarterback Max Huston has been tapped as the TopSports.news Shawnee County offensive player of the year after passing for 3,257 yards and 39 touchdowns. [File photo/TSN]
Hayden, which posted a 12-1 record this fall, is represented on the Top 22 by seniors Carter Charvat, Finn Dunshee and Jude Konrade and junior Jensen Schrickel while Washburn Rural, 11-1 on the year, put seniors Packson Bettis, Jaren Heim, JC Heim, Branton DeWeese, Jamond Lane and Titan Osburn and junior King Leonard on the Top 22.
'Seaman quarterback Huston, who led the Vikings to a 6-5 season and the third round of the 5A playoffs, was named the Shawnee County offensive player of the year while Heim, a linebacker, was named the county defensive player of the year.
Huston, a 6-foot-1, 185-pound junior, completed 230 of 379 passes for 3,257 yards and 39 touchdowns, with just two interceptions. Huston also carried the ball 134 times for 706 yards and eight TDs.
Heim, a 6-3, 225-pounder, was in on 173 tackles (102 solos) with 17 tackles for loss, eight sacks, two interceptions, three forced fumbles, two recovered fumbles (one for a touchdown), two blocked extra points and a blocked punt. Offensively, Heim rushed for 530 yards and 10 TDs on 90 carries.
Hayden coach Bill Arnold (right) has been named the TopSports.news 2023 Shawnee County coach of the year while sophomore quarterback Connor Hanika (3) was tapped as the co-offensive newcomer of the year. [File photo/TSN]
Hayden's Bill Arnold, now 211-66 as a head coach, was named the Shawnee County coach of the year.
Hayden sophomore Kade Mitchell (25) is the TSN Shawnee County co-offensive newcomer of the year after rushing for 764 yards and scoring 15 total touchdowns. [File photo/TSN]
Washburn Rural junior cornerback Wilson Miller (2) has been named the Shawnee County defensive newcomer of the year after helping the Junior Blues post an 11-1 record this fall. [File photo/TSN]
Hayden sophomores Connor Hanika and Kade Mitchell were named the county co-offensive newcomers of the year while Washburn Rural junior Wilson Miller was named the defensive newcomer of the year.
Hanika, 6-3, 165, took over as the Wildcats' quarterback after an injury to starter Jett Wahlmeier and completed 38 of 60 passes for 470 yards and seven touchdowns while MItchell, a 5-9, 165 running back, rushed for 764 yards on 79 attempts, caught 13 passes for 209 yards, had five kickoff returns for 174 yards and scored 15 total touchdowns.
Miller, a 6-0, 190 cornerback, was in on 48 tackles (40 solos) with five interceptions, returning one for a touchdown. Miller also handled the Junior Blues' place-kicking duties for much of the season.
Shawnee Heights put seniors Allen Baughman, Rykan Carver and Christian Gonzales on the All-Shawnee County Top 22, while Seaman is represented by Huston and senior Callen Barta, Silver Lake by seniors Tanner Martin and Blake Redmond, Cair Paravel Latin by senior Jesiah Bonura, Highland Park by junior Adrian Burney, Rossville by senior Barrett Lietz and Topeka West by senior Kyrece Robinson.
Hayden's Dunshee and Schrickel, Rural's Bettis, DeWeese, JC Heim and Osburn, Shawnee Heights' Baughman, Rossville's Lietz and Silver Lake's Martin are All-Shawnee County Top 22 repeat picks.
All 10 Shawnee County high schools have representatives on either the Top 22 or Second 22 teams. Eight county teams posted winning records this fall, with seven winning at least one playoff contest.
TopSports.news selected the 2023 All-Shawnee County team after receiving input from all 10 county head coaches.
All-Shawnee County Top 22 capsules:
By Todd Fertig
TopSports.news
The Cair Paravel Latin School cheer squad is a perfect three for three in state championship competition.
After becoming full Kansas State High School Activities Association members in the fall of 2020, the Lions’ cheer squad has participated in three state competitions and has yet to take home anything but gold.
The Cair Paravel Latin cheer squad has gone three for three in KSHSAA competition, recently winning its third straight title. [Photo by Jan Pabitzky/Special to TSN]
Cair Paravel Latin held a hall parade on Monday at the school to honor its cheer squad, which recently won its third straight state title in as many state appearances. [Photo by Jan Pabitzky/Special to TSN]
For a school finding success quickly in KSHSAA competition, it is the cheer squad which leads the way.
Head cheerleading coach Courtney Bond took over leadership of the team in the fall of 2020. She presented the challenge of competition to the team that year, and they began preparing for the next year’s championship, held each fall.
“I had competed in cheerleading competitions in high school (in Ohio), so it was something that I was familiar with,” Bond said. “When I presented the idea to the girls, they were all about it. So, we went and competed in (Class) 1A and were pleasantly surprised to bring home the championship.”
Cair Paravel junior Piper Ellis (left), senior Isabel Gateley (center) and junior Katelyn Bond (right) have been part of all three of the Lions' KSHSAA state cheer championships. [Photo by Jan Pabitzky/Special to TSN]
“We went into it with no expectations, just trying to work our hardest and do the best we could,” said Isabel Gateley, the lone senior to have been part of all three championships. “None of us had ever been in a cheer competition before. Most of us had never even performed in front of that many people before. We went into it a little shocked, but we did our best and it really showed.
“That set the stage for the next couple of years. As each year went on, the expectations got a little higher. But we went with it and met those expectations.”
Cair Paravel Latin's cheer squad celebrates after winning its third straight state championship on Nov. 18 in Topeka. [Submitted photo]
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Tamir Anderson
TAMIR ANDERSON, Highland Park
A 6-foot-4 senior, Anderson earned TopSports.news All-Shawnee County honorable mention last season after helping Highland Park post a 24-1 record and a third-place finish in the Class 5A state tournament. Anderson was one of Shawnee County's top 3-point shooters, hitting 47 treys on the season.
Kaden Ballard
KADEN BALLARD, Washburn Rural
Ballard, a 5-10 junior, was a key player off the bench for the 15-6 Junior Blues last season, averaging 6.1 points, 2.0 assists and 1.7 rebounds. Ballard received TSN All-Shawnee County and All-Centennial League honorable mention as a sophomore.
KaeVon Bonner
KAEVON BONNER, Seaman
Bonner, a sophomore, was named the TSN All-Shawnee County co-newcomer of the year as a freshman while also earning All-United Kansas Conference honorable mention. Bonner averaged 8.4 points for the 13-8 Vikings while canning 32 3-pointers and shooting 39 percent on 3-point attempts. Bonner shot 77.4 percent from the free throw line.
Brennon Dodge
BRENNON DODGE, Shawnee Heights
A senior guard, Dodge was the lone underclassman on the TSN All-Shawnee County Top 10 last season after helping lead Shawnee Heights to a 15-7 record. Dodge averaged 13.8 points a year ago to go with 2.9 assists and 1.8 steals per game. Dodge shot 52.5 percent on 2-point field goal attempts and hit 19 3-pointers on the season.
Jack Donovan
JACK DONOVAN, Rossville
Donovan, a sophomore, was named the TSN All-Shawnee County co-newcomer of the year and earned all-county honorable mention as a freshman for the Bulldawgs, who showed strides in a 7-14 season. Donovan also was named to the Valley Falls All-Tournament team and earned second-team All-Mid-East League recognition.
Malakyah Duncan
MALAKYAH DUNCAN, Topeka West
Duncan, a 6-4 sophomore, saw varsity action as a freshman for Rick Bloomquist's 14-8 Chargers and will be counted on to fill a more extensive role this season after Topeka West graduated several key players.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
FRIDAY'S GAMES
Class 6A
Washburn Rural senior JC Heim scored three touchdowns, including a 95-yard run, in last Friday's 35-14 Class 6A playoff win over Wichita East. [File photo/TSN]
DERBY (10-1) at WASHBURN RURAL (11-0)
Washburn Rural, the No. 1 West seed, is coming off a 35-14 home playoff win over Wichita East last Friday while Derby advanced with a 23-21 win over 2022 Class 6A state champion Manhattan. Rural has won 11 straight games since dropping a 36-21 state quarterfinal decision at Derby a year ago while Derby has won 10 straight since a 33-19 loss to Manhattan in the opening game of the '23 season.
Rural senior quarterback Branton DeWeese has completed 111 of 180 pass attempts for 1,644 yards and 27 touchdowns while junior Lafayette Thompson has rushed for 559 yards and four TDs on 93 attempts and senior JC Heim has 453 yards and nine TDs on 67 carries.
Senior Titan Osburn has 29 pass receptions for 528 yards and 11 touchdowns and Thompson has 22 catches for 278 yards and three scores.
Defensively, JC Heim has been in on 153 tackles (91 solo) with 17 tackles for loss while Jaren Heim has 116 tackles (62 solo) with 10 tackles for loss and senior Jamond Lane has 67 stops (38 solo) with eight tackles for loss and four sacks.
Junior King Leonard has nine interceptions on the season while junior Wilson Miller has five interceptions. Both Leonard and Miller have returned interceptions for touchdowns.
Derby senior quarterback Braxton Clark has completed 80 of 110 pass attempts for 1,246 yards and 14 touchdowns in seven games and has rushed for 268 yards and seven TDs on 59 attempts.
Panther senior Derek Hubbard has rushed for 917 yards and 13 TDs on 124 carries while senior Colton Ruedy has 40 receptions for 706 yards and four TDs and junior Da'saahn Brame has 39 catches for 807 yards and 12 scores.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news (Games at 7 p.m.)
FRIDAY'S GAMES
Class 6A
Senior Branton DeWeese threw for three touchdowns in Washburn Rural's 27-20 Class 6A playoff win over Junction City last Friday. [File photo/TSN]
WICHITA EAST (8-2) at WASHBURN RURAL (10-0)
Washburn Rural, the No. 1 West seed, is coming off a 27-20 home playoff win over Junction City last Friday while Wichita East advanced with a 48-28 win over Wichita Northwest. Rural has won 10 straight games for the first time since a perfect 12-0 season in 1989 and has won 10 games in a season for the first time since 1992. Rural senior quarterback Branton DeWeese threw for three touchdowns against Junction City, including a 69-yard game-winning strike to senior Calvin Hayes with 6:15 left in the game. Senior JC Heim scored a pair of TDs and starred defensively for the Junior Blues in last week's win while junior King Leonard had a pair of pass interceptions. Washburn Rural will be playing a Wichita East team that it faced in the opening game of the 2023 season, with the Junior Blues taking a 26-25 win in that game at Bowen-Glaze Stadium. The winner of Friday's game will advance to the 6A sub-state round to face the winner of Friday's game between Manhattan (9-1) and Derby (9-1) at Manhattan. With a win Friday Rural will be at home for the sub-state contest.
Class 5A
Seaman junior quarterback Max Huston helped lead the Vikings to a 31-28 upset win over No. 1 Class 5A seed De Soto last Friday. [File photo/TSN]
SEAMAN (6-4) at MILL VALLEY (8-2)
Seaman, the No. 9 seed in the 5A East, posted its second straight Class 5A road playoff win over a higher seed last Friday, knocking off No. 1 East seed De Soto 31-28 on junior Ethan Geiger's 25-yard field goal with 7:08 remaining. Four-time defending state champion Mill Valley advanced with a 56-7 win over Spring Hill. Seaman junior quarterback Max Huston ran for two touchdowns and threw for two TDs in the win over De Soto. Huston has completed 188 of 309 passes for 2,774 yards and 34 touchdowns while senior Callen Barta has caught 63 passes for 1,254 yards and 16 TDs and junior Bryer Finley has 43 receptions for 529 yards and nine TDs and senior Holden Finley has 41 catches for 548 yards and six TDs. Huston is also Seaman's leading rusher with 581 yards and seven TDs on 115 attempts. Mill Valley senior Tristan Baker has carried the ball 161 times for 1,132 yards and 16 touchdowns while
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
After putting together an outstanding four-year volleyball career for Cair Paravel Latin, Taryn Pridgett has had to wait her turn to make her mark for Washburn University.
After having her freshman season at WU wiped out by COVID-19, the 5-foot-8 junior outside hitter saw only spot duty the past two seasons, seeing action in a combined total of 26 matches and 43 sets while compiling 41 kills and six total blocks.
Washburn junior Taryn Pridgett, a Cair Paravel product, tied her career-high with 13 kills in Monday's 3-1 MIAA win over Emporia State. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Cair Paravel product Taryn Pridgett (center) is congratulated by her Washburn teammates after a kill in Monday's 3-1 MIAA win over Emporia State. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
But Pridgett's time has finally come for Chris Herron's Ichabods this fall and she's making the most of it.
Pridgett has already set a career-high with 19 matches and 51 sets played this season and her 89 kills and 25 blocks have more than doubled her totals for the previous two seasons combined heading into Saturday's regular-season finale at Newman.
"It's really exciting to see the growth personally, just being in practice and getting reps in,'' Pridgett said after Monday's 3-1 home MIAA win over Emporia State. "It's always fun to see the work have a high result. It's fun.
"I love being out there and I love building trust with my teammates. I think that's been the most important thing is just slowly building trust through practice and in games.''
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Allen Baughman
ALLEN BAUGHMAN, Shawnee Heights
A 5-foot-8, 180-pound senior running back, Baughman carried the ball 12 times for 177 yards and three touchdowns in the first half last Thursday night as Shawnee Heights rolled to a 56-20 win over Highland Park in the regional round of the Class 5A football playoffs. Baughman scored on runs of 4, 70 and 20 yards as Shawnee Heights improved to 8-2 on the season.
JC Heim
JC HEIM, Washburn Rural
Heim a 6-2, 225-pound running back/linebacker, starred on both offense and defense Friday night as Washburn Rural improved to 10-0 with a 27-20 win over Junction City in the regional round of the Class 6A playoffs. Unofficially, Heim rushed for 67 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries and caught three passes for 21 yards and a touchdown. Heim scored on a 2-yard run and a 23-yard pass from Branton DeWeese.
Griffin Heinen
GRIFFIN HEINEN, Washburn Rural
A senior midfielder, Heinen had an assist and the game-winning goal on Saturday as Washburn Rural's soccer team capped a 19-2 season with a 2-1 win over Dodge City in the third-place game of the Class 6A state tournament. Heinen was credited with the assist on Hayden Shriver's goal 1:26 into the game and scored the game-winning goal with just 56 seconds remaining off an assist from Devon Rutschmann.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Seaman, which won its first Class 5A state championship, put four players on the TopSports.news 2023 All-Shawnee County volleyball team, led by player of the year Maegan Mills.
Seaman junior Maegan Mills has been named the Shawnee County volleyball player of the year after heping lead the Vikings to a 38-6 record and the Class 5A state title. [File photo/TSN]
Seaman coach Tatiana Dowling was named the TSN Shawnee County coach of the year after leading the Vikings to the Class 5A state volleyball title. [File photo/TSN]
Mills, a junior, is joined on the all-county first team by Viking seniors Brooklyn Gormley and Taylin Stallbaumer and junior Reagan McGivern while Seaman's Tatiana Dowling, a Seaman grad, was named the coach of the year after leading the Vikings to a 38-6 record, including five straight-set wins in the state tournament.
Mills and Gormley are first-team repeaters while Stallbaumer and McGivern move up to the first team after being second-teamers in 2022.
Silver Lake, which placed third in the 3A state tournament, is represented on the first team by seniors Mckinley Kruger and Sarah Wehrli and junior Ella Bolan, with Kruger and Wehrli earning all-county honorable mention a year ago.
Washburn Rural seniors Jada Ingram and Zoe Canfield and junior Layla Collins are first-team selections after helping the Junior Blues win the Centennial League championship and advance to the 6A state tournament.
Ingram and Canfield are both first-team All-Shawnee County repeat picks while Collins moves up from the second team.
Rossville, which posted a 31-8 record, is represented on the first team by seniors Kinsey Perine, a three-time All-Shawnee County first-teamer, and Kinley Porter, who moves up from the second team.
Cair Paravel Latin is represented by senior Mayah Pridgett while Topeka West senior Addison Brooks, Shawnee Heights junior Kaydence Torrez and Hayden sophomore Ella Foster also earned all-county first-team recognition.
Pridgett has been a second-team all-county pick the last two seasons while Brooks received honorable mention the past two seasons and Foster and Torrez received honorable mention a year ago.
Rossville freshman Nora Burdiek was selected as the county newcomer of the year after compiling 312 kills and 181 digs in her first season of high school volleyball.
All-Shawnee County first-team capsules:
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
(Games at 7 p.m., unless noted)
THURSDAY'S GAME
Class 5A
Shawnee Heights senior Ryeki Tuley has passed for 1,861 yards and 19 touchdowns for the 7-2 T-Birds. [File photo/TSN]
Highland Park junior Jamon Wilson (5) has rushed for 368 yards and three touchdowns and caught 26 passes for 474 yards and six TDs. [File photo/TSN]
SHAWNEE HEIGHTS (7-2) vs. HIGHLAND PARK (7-2)
At Hummer Sports Park
Highland Park won its first playoff game since 1991 and only its third in school history last Friday, rolling to a 55-7 win over Meadowlark Conference foe Kansas City-Harmon, while Shawnee Heights advanced with a 68-0 first-round playoff win over KC-Sumner Academy. The two city rivals will be meeting for the first time since the 2017 season. Highland Park senior Amari Taylor has rushed for 568 yards and seven touchdowns on 63 attempts while junior Jamon Wilson has rushed for 368 yards and three touchdowns and caught 26 passes for 474 yards and six TDs. Shawnee Heights senior Allen Baughman has carried the ball 141 times for 690 yards and 12 TDs while T-Bird senior quarterback Ryeki Tuley has passed for 1,861 yards and 19 touchdowns and rushed for 343 yards and six scores on 79 attempts. Senior Jayden Moore has caught 50 passes for 620 yards and five TDs. Heights senior Alex Dawkins has been in on 60.5 tackles with 15 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks. The winner of Thursday night's game will advance to a state quarterfinal to take on the winner of Friday's game between Blue Valley Southwest (8-1) and Lansing (5-4).
FRIDAY'S GAMES
Class 6A
Washburn Rural senior Jaren Heim (27) scored a pair of touchdowns in the Junior Blues' 28-7 Centennial League win at Junction City earlier in the season. [File photo/TSN]
JUNCTION CITY (6-2) at WASHBURN RURAL (9-0)
Washburn Rural, the No. 1 West seed, opened its playoff quest with a 48-7 win over winless Wichita North last Friday while Junction City advanced with a 27-18 win over Wichita Heights. Rural and Junction City will be playing for the second time this season, with the Junior Blues taking a 28-7 Centennial League win over the Blue Jays earlier this fall. Washburn Rural has already won nine straight games for the first time since a perfect 12-0 season in 1989 and is within a win of winning 10 games for the first time since 1992. The winner of Friday's game will advance to the 6A quarterfinals to face the winner of Friday's game between Wichita Northwest (7-2) and Wichita East (7-2). With a win Friday Rural would also be at home for the quarterfinals.
Class 5A
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Hayden remained undefeated with a 49-0 Class 3A home playoff rout past Baldwin Friday night.
Hayden sophomore Kade Mitchell rushed for 251 yards and four touchdowns in the Wildcats' 49-0 Class 3A playoff win over Baldwin Friday night. [File photo/TSN]
Hayden's Dom Ridley rushed for 67 yards and a touchdown in the Wildcats' 49-0 Class 3A playoff win over Baldwin. [File photo/TSN]
The 9-0 Wildcats advanced to a second-round game next Friday at Hayden against Santa Fe Trail (7-2), which advanced with a 56-40 win over Royal Valley.
Hayden scored the only points it would need on the second play from scrimmage, with junior Jensen Schrickel bursting 62 yards for a touchdown (conversion failed) to put the Wildcats up 6-0 with 11:41 left in the opening quarter.
Sophomore Kade Mitchell started off his big night with a 5-yard TD run that capped an eight-play, 74-yard scoring drive (conversion good) to give Hayden a 14-0 lead with 2:01 left in the first quarter.
Hayden broke the game open in the second quarter, with Dom Ridley scoring on a 9-yard run (Mason Becker kick), Mitchell scoring on a 21-yard run (Becker kick) and Conner Hanika completing a 28-yard touchdown pass to Makhi Kidd (Becker kick) with 2:53 left in the half to give the Wildcats a commanding 35-0 halftime lead.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Seaman led just one time in Friday night's Class 5A regional playoff game at De Soto, but it was the only time that counted.
Seaman celebrates its 31-28 Class 5A second-round playoff win over top 5A east seed De Soto Friday night in De Soto. [Seaman Athletics]
The No. 9-seeded Vikings came back from 7-0, 21-7 and 28-14 deficits to shock the top-seeded Wildcats 31-28 on a 25-yard Ethan Geiger field goal with 7:08 remaining.
Seaman, which improved to 6-4, advanced to a 5A state quarterfinal road contest against defending state champion Mill Valley, a 56-7 winner over Spring Hill, while De Soto ended its season 8-2.
DeSoto jumped out to a 7-0 lead at the 7:11 mark of the opening quarter, but Seaman answered at the 5:20 mark on a 53-yard run from junior quarterback Max Huston (Geiger kick).
The game was tied 7-all at the end of the first before De Soto boosted its lead to 21-7 with a pair of TDs over the first 4:11 of the second period.
But Seaman cut its halftime deficit to 21-14 at the half, getting a 73-yard bomb from Huston to senior Callen Barta with just 51 seconds left before the break.
De Soto opened up a two-touchdown advantage for the second time on the night at 28-14 with 4:11 left in the third quarter, but that would be the Wildcats' last points of the night as Seaman outscored the hosts 17-0 the rest of the way.
Huston hit Barta for a 1-yard score with 40 seconds left in the third and then Huston knotted the game just 47 seconds into the fourth quarter on a 12-yard run (Geiger kick).
That set the stage for Geiger to be the hero with his clutch field goal and the Viking defense held on the rest of the way as Seaman poste its second straight road win over a higher-seeded opponent.
Washburn Rural senior JC Heim (25) starred on both sides of the ball Friday night as the Junior Blues improved to 10-0 with a 27-20 Class 6A playoff win over Junction City. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]
WASHBURN RURAL 27, JUNCTION CITY 20 -- Washburn Rural improved to 10-0 with its second win of the season over Centennial League rival Junction City, with the Junior Blues scoring the game-winning touchdown on a 69-yard touchdown strike from senior quarterback Branton DeWeese to senior Calvin Hayes with 6:15 remaining.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
(Games at 7 p.m., unless noted)
CLASS 6A
Washburn Rural senior quarterback Branton DeWeese (right) ran for two touchdowns and threw for two TDs in Rural's 55-8 win over Topeka West last Thursday. [File photo/TSN]
WICHITA NORTH (0-8) at WASHBURN RURAL (8-0)
Washburn Rural, the No. 1 West seed, wrapped up a perfect regular season with a 55-8 non-league romp past Topeka West last Thursday at Hummer Sports Park and the Junior Blues will be a big favorite again Friday against winless Wichita North. Senior quarterback Branton DeWeese threw for two touchdowns and ran for two TDs in Rural's win over Topeka West while junior Lafayette Thompson scored a pair of TDs, including a 90-yard kickoff return. The winner of Friday's game will advance in the 6A playoffs to face the winner of Friday's game between Junction City (5-3) and Wichita Heights (5-3). As long as they keep winning, the Junior Blues will be at Bowen-Glaze Stadium through the first four rounds of the playoffs. Wichita North is coming off a 52-0 loss ot Pittsburg.
TOPEKA HIGH (1-7) at DERBY (7-1)
Topeka High is the No. 14 West seed and will be on the road for the second straight season to face perennial Class 6A power Derby, the No. 3 West seed and the winner of five state titles since 2015. Topeka High dropped a 62-33 road non-league decision against Hays last Friday while Derby took a 55-7 win over Newton. The Panthers' lone loss was a 33-19 decision to reigning 6A state champion Manhattan in the season-opener. The Topeka High-Derby winner advances to face the winner of the first-round game between Lawrence (6-2) and Dodge City (3-5).
CLASS 5A
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Jesiah Bonura
JESIAH BONURA, Cair Paravel Latin
A senior football standout, Bonura compiled 435 all-purpose yards and five touchdowns in last Friday's 74-28 win over Maranatha Academy as Cair Paravel wrapped up a 6-2 regular season in just the Lions' second season as a full KSHSAA member in football. Bonura had four kickoff returns for 195 yards and two touchdowns, rushed for 193 yards and two TDs on five carries and caught four passes for 47 yards and a TD.
Jackson Esquibel
JACKSON ESQUIBEL, Shawnee Heights
Esquibel, a senior cross country star, capped a sweep of city, United Kansas Conference and Class 5A regional individual titles Saturday at Shawnee North Community Center. A two-time 5A state medalist in cross country and a state champion in track, Esquibel posted a 53-second victory in the regional meet, clocking a five-kilometer time of 15 minutes, 46.02 seconds.
Payton Fink
PAYTON FINK, Washburn Rural
Fink, a junior cross country standout, followed up her Centennial League individual title with a 10-second win Saturday at Wichita, helping the Junior Blues post a sweep of city, Centennial League and regional team championships. Fink, who placed fifth in the Class 6A state meet as a sophomore, clocked a winning five-kilometer time of 18 minutes, 01.20 seconds in the regional meet.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Cair Paravel Latin, in only its second season competing as a full KSHSAA member in football, finished off a 6-2 regular season with a 74-28 victory over Maranatha Academy.
The Lions, who finished second in Eight-Man I District 2 will host 4-4 Sedan, which finished third in District 1, in a first-round playoff game next Friday (site to be determined)
Cair Paravel senior Jesiah Bonura compiled 435 all-purpose yards in Friday's 74-28 victory over Maranatha Christian. [File photo/TSN]
Junior Jase Pavlik threw for five touchdowns and ran for a TD as Cair Paravel capped a 6-2 regular season with a 74-28 win over Maranatha Academy. [File photo/TSN]
Senior Jesiah Bonura had a huge game in the Lions' win over Maranatha, compiling 435 all-purpose yards.
Bonura caught four passes for 47 yards and a touchdown, carried the ball five times for 193 yards and two TDs and had four kickoff returns for 195 yards and two scores.
CPLS junior quarterback Jase Pavlik completed nine of 14 passes for 86 yards and five touchdowns and carried the ball five times for 95 yards and a TD.
The winner of Cair Paravel's opening playoff game next week will advance to face the winner of the game between Central-Burden (8-0) and Goessel (1-7).
SHAWNEE HEIGHTS 47, LEAVENWORTH 7 --Shawnee Heights put the cap on a 6-2 regular season with a 47-7 United Kansas Conference road win at Leavenworth.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
(All games at 7 p.m.)
THURSDAY'S GAME
WASHBURN RURAL (7-0) vs. TOPEKA WEST (1-6)
At Hummer Sports Park
Washburn Rural clinched the Centennial League championship with last Friday's 46-0 win at Emporia and can clinch the No. 1 seed in the Class 6A West for the playoffs with a Thursday night non-league win over city rival Topeka West. Washburn Rural is the only remaining undefeated team in 6A. Rural quarterback Branton DeWeese threw for three touchdowns against Emporia as the Junior Blues opened up a 39-0 halftime lead before forcing a running clock early in the second half. Topeka West is coming off a 62-12 United Kansas Conference loss to Shawnee Heights and is currently the No. 13 seed in the 5A East.
FRIDAY GAMES
Junior quarterback Jett Wahlmeier has passed for 852 yards and six touchdowns for 7-0 Hayden, which will host Hiawatha in a non-league contest Friday. [File photo/TSN]
HIAWATHA (1-6) at HAYDEN (7-0)
Hayden clinched the Class 3A District 4 championship last Friday night with a 24-7 win over Holton and will host Hiawatha in a non-league contest. Hiawatha is coming off a 28-0 loss to Marysville. Hayden will be at home next Friday for the first round of the 3A playoffs. Wildcat junior Jett Wahlmeier has completed 50 of 94 passes for 852 yards and six touchdowns while junior Jensen Schrickel has caught 20 passes for 393 yards and four TDs and has carried the ball 10 times for 100 yards. Junior Broderick Desch has rushed for 286 yards and eight touchdowns on 57 attempts and sophomore Kade Mitchell has 235 yards and four TDs on 36 carries.
Seaman junior quarterback Max Huston has passed for 1,905 yards and 25 touchdowns this fall. [File photo/TSN]
PIPER (1-5, 1-5 United Kansas Conference) at SEAMAN (3-4, 3-3 United Kansas Conference)
Seaman will be looking to bounce back from last Friday's heartbreaking 27-24 United Kansas Conference road loss at Basehor-Linwood, the Vikings' third loss this fall by 7 or fewer points and their second 3-point loss. Seaman is currently the No. 10 East seed for the Class 5A playoffs. Seaman junior quarterback Max Huston has completed 128 of 205 passes for 1,905 yards and 25 touchdowns while only throwing one interception. Senior Callen Barta has 44 receptions for 891 yards and 12 TDs. Senior Jack Bloom has rushed for 416 yards and six scores on107 attempts. Junior Hayden Cummings has been in on 69 tackles for the Vikings. Piper is coming off a 10-0 UKC win over Leavenworth.
By Todd Fertig
TopSports.news
A goal late in the second overtime period gave the Cair Paravel Latin boys soccer team a 1-0 win over Maranatha Christian Academy Tuesday at the Sunflower Soccer Association.
Cair Paravel Latin soccer honored its lone senior, Justus Scott, Thursday at Sunflower Soccer Complex. [Photo by Todd Fertig/TSN]
With the second overtime period about to elapse, Cair Paravel’s Alfredo Cartes lofted a corner kick into the opposing box, where teammate Nathan Keys rose above the crowd to head the ball past the visiting goalkeeper.
Though Cair Paravel finished the regular season with a record of just 4-7, there was plenty at stake for the Lions.
In addition to improving their standing in the Class 4-1A seeding and potentially setting up a more favorable post-season matchup, the Lions felt they had some unfinished business to attend to.
In its previous meeting with Maranatha, Cair Paravel trailed 3-2 when the game was ended prematurely due to weather. The Lions didn’t forget, believing they stood a good chance of tying, and ultimately winning, that contest.
“We were cut off short the last time we played them. So, it felt really good to get this win,” said Justus Scott, the Lions’ lone senior and team captain. “The defense really shut down their offense, and our offense did really well, so I’m proud.”
By Todd Fertig
TopSports.news
Cair Paravel took another step Friday night in establishing itself as a competitor in the KSHSAA football ranks.
The Lions blitzed Chase County 52-16 on the Seaman High School field in a game loaded with playoff implications.
Cair Paravel junior quarterback Jase Pavlik ran for three touchdowns and threw for two TDs in the Lions' 52-16 win over Chase County Friday night. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Cair Paravel senior Jesiah Bonura rushed for 131 yards and scored two TDs, including a 60-yard kickoff return, in the Lions' 52-16 win over Chase County. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
A year ago, the Lions just missed out on qualifying for the Eight-Man Division I playoffs in their first season of football as a KSHSAA member.
The Lions went into Friday’s game against Chase County knowing they were in the playoffs at 4-2 and 2-1 in their district. But with seeding and a chance to host a home playoff game at stake, they took care of business against the visiting Bulldogs.
The Lions trailed once, momentarily, early in the contest. After junior quarterback Jace Pavlik put the Lions up 6-0 with a short run, Cair Paravel watched Chase County’s Tucker Groh race 70 yards with the ensuing kickoff, putting the Bulldogs up 8-6.
Not to be outdone, Cair Paravel’s Jesiah Bonura returned the favor, taking the next kickoff back 60 yards to put the Lions back on top.
From that point on, the Lions’ defense ensured the score was never close again. Cair Paravel limited the Bulldogs to zero yards passing and negative-19 yards rushing in the first half. The visitors did not earn a first down until the fourth quarter.
“Our defense was amazing,” Pavlik said. “Look at the scoreboard. Sixteen points, and one of those scores was on a kickoff return. Our defense did an incredible job stepping up this game. Our offense, we made some plays, but our defense was just awesome tonight.”
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
(All games at 7 p.m.)
THURSDAY'S GAME
Junior Jamon Wilson has rushed for 243 yards and caught 20 passes for 415 yards for Highland Park, 4-2 on the season. [File photo/TSN]
KC-NORTHEAST (0-6) vs. HIGHLAND PARK (4-2)
At Hummer Sports Park
Highland Park will be looking to bounce back from two straight losses, including a 64-8 Meadowlark Conference decision to Atchison last Thursday. The Scots are fighting for a home berth (top eight seeds) in the first round of the Class 5A playoffs. The Scots are currently tied for No. 5 spot in the East and No. 7 in terms of point differential. HIghland Park junior quarterback Craig Sipple has completed 33 of 66 passes for 684 yards and seven touchdowns while senior Amari Taylor is the Scots' leading rusher with 370 yards and four TDs on 42 carries. Junior Jamon Wilson has carried the ball 19 times for 243 yards and three scores and has 20 receptions for 415 yards and four TDs.KC-Northeast, Mo. is coming off a 41-20 loss to KC-Sumner and has been outscored 269-84. .
FRIDAY GAMES
Junior quarterback Jett Wehlmeier has passed for 748 yards for 6-0 Hayden, which hosts Holton Friday night. [File photo/TSN]
HOLTON (3-3, 2-0 Class 3A District 4) at HAYDEN (6-0, 3-0 Class 3A District 4)
Hayden can clinch the Class 3A District 4 championship with a win Friday night over Holton, which handed Hayden its only two losses a year ago en route to a runnerup finish in 3A. Hayden is coming off 49-0 district road romp past Royal Valley last Friday while Holton dropped a 21-0 non-league home decision to Rossville. Hayden junior quarterback Jett Wahlmeier has completed 42 of 80 passes for 748 yards and six touchdowns while junior Jensen Schrickel has caught 16 passes for 345 yards and four TDs. Junior Broderick Desch and sophomore Kade Mitchell have helped take up the slack for injured star running back Finn Dunshee, with Desch carrying the ball 43 times for 233 yards and eight touchdowns and Mitchell gaining 221 yards on 30 attempts with four TDs.
Topeka West's Trey Parker picked up his first win as a head coach in last Friday's 35-15 UKC win over KC-Turner. [File photo/TSN]
TOPEKA WEST (1-5, 1-5 United Kansas Conference) at SHAWNEE HEIGHTS (4-2, 3-2)
Both the Chargers and T-Birds are coming off big wins last Friday, with Topeka West picking up its first win of the year with a 35-15 home UKC win over KC-Turner while Shawnee Heights rallied for a 12-7 non-league home win over Wamego, the Class 4A runnerup in 2022. Shawnee Heights will be looking to strengthen its hold on a home berth for the first round of the upcoming 5A playoffs. The T-Birds are tied for the No. 5 East seed but are eighth in terms of point differential. The top eight seeds will host first-round games. Topeka West senior Josh Nitschke rushed for 271 yards and scored four touchdowns in the Chargers' win over Turner. Heights senior quarterback Ryeki Tuley has completed 106 of 168 passes for 1,293 yards and 10 touchdowns and has rushed for 242 yards and five TDs on 61 attempts. Senior Allen Baughman has carried the ball 98 times for 370 yards and four TDs while senior Jayden Moore has 39 pass receptions for 483 yards and a pair of scores.
JUNCTION CITY (3-3, 0-2 Centennial League) vs. TOPEKA HIGH (1-5, 1-2 Centennial League)
At Hummer Sports Park
Both the Blue Jays and Trojans are coming off Centennial League losses. Junction City dropped a 38-7 decision to reigning Class 6A state champion Manhattan while Topeka High lost a 48-15 game to undefeated Washburn Rural. Sophomore quarterback Zane Smith passed for 147 yards and a touchdown for Topeka High in the Trojans' loss at Rural while senior Isaiah Kincade scored both of High's touchdowns. A longtime Centennial League and Class 6A stalwart, Junction City is looking for its first league win after back-to-back league losses to Washburn Rural and Manhattan.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Coming off a 14-point loss to Silver Lake in the War on 24 last week, Rossville bounced back with a 21-0 non-league road shutout at perennial state power Holton Friday night.
Rossville senior quarterback Camden Horak ran for a touchdown and passed for a TD in Friday's 21-0 shutout win at Holton. [File photo/TSN]
Rossville junior Tayson Horak (12) scored the Bulldawgs' final touchdown in Friday's 21-0 non-league win at Holton. [File photo/TSN]
The Bulldawgs, who evened their record at 3-3, scored the only touchdown they would need at the 5:57 mark of the first quarter, with senior quarterback Camden Horak connecting with sophomore Jack Donavan for an 8-yard score.
Rossville stretched its lead to 14-0 at the half, with the Bulldawgs scoring at the 11:25 mark of the second quarter on a 1-yard run by C. Horak.
The Bulldawgs finished their scoring with 54 seconds left in the third quarter, getting a 37-yard run from junior Tayson Horak.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Cair Paravel Latin junior quarterback Jase Pavlik and Silver Lake junior golf standout Taylor Zordel have been selected by the Dan Key Farmers Insurance Agency as the Rising Stars of the Week.
The Dan Key Agency will recognize top Shawnee County underclassmen throughout the bulk of the 2023-2024 school year.
Here’s a brief look at the accomplishments of Pavlik and Zordel over the past week:
Cair Paravel junior quarterback Jase Pavlik had a hand in seven touchdowns in the Lions' 62-28 district win over previously-unbeaten Burlingame last Friday. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
JASE PAVLIK, Cair Paravel Latin
Pavlik had a hand in seven touchdowns as Cair Paravel Latin rolled to a 62-28 Eight-Man I District 2 victory over previously-unbeaten Burlingame last Friday night.
The Lion quarterback completed 19 of 26 passes for 273 yards and five touchdowns and carried the ball six times for 71 yards and two touchdowns.
Pavlik also had a pass interception on defense as Cair Paravel improved to 3-2 overall and 1-1 in district play.
Silver Lake junior Taylor Zordel, who tied for seventh in Class 3A-1A last fall (above), won Monday's Silver Lake Invitational by five strokes. [Photo by Rick Peterson Jr./KSHSAA Covered]
TAYLOR ZORDEL, Silver Lake
A multi-sport standout for the Eagles, Zordel won the individual title in Monday's Silver Lake Invitational girls golf tournament at Lake Shawnee by five strrokes, shooting a 78.
Zordel led the way as the host Eagles won the team championship by a 344-374 margin over Jefferson West.
Zordel was a first-team All-Shawnee County selection in 2022 and is a two-time Class 3A-1A state medalist, tying for seventh last season.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
(All games at 7 p.m.)
THURSDAY'S GAME
ATCHISON (5-0, 4-0 Meadowlark Conferance) vs. HIGHLAND PARK (4-1, 4-0 Meadowlark Conference)
At Hummer Sports Park
Atchison, the defending Meadowlark Conference champion, enters Thursday night's game tied for the conference lead with Highland Park. Atchison is coming off a 63-18 Meadowlark win over Kansas City-Washington while Highland Park dropped a 57-6 non-league decision at Kansas City, Mo.-Lincoln Prep last Friday. HIghland Park junior quarterback Craig Sipple has thrown for more than 500 yards while senior Amari Taylor is the Scots' leading rusher.
FRIDAY GAMES
Washburn Rural senior Jaren Heim (27) scored a pair of touchdowns in last Friday's 28-0 Centennial League win at Junction City. [File photo/TSN]
TOPEKA HIGH (1-4, 1-1 Centennial League) at WASHBURN RURAL (5-0, 2-0 Centennial League)
Topeka High dropped a 70-7 non-league decision to Wichita Northwest last Friday while Washburn Rural remained unbeaten with a 28-7 Centennial League road win at Junction City. Rural scored three of its four touchdowns on defense/special teams as seniors Jaren and JC Heim had big nights for the Junior Blues. Sophomore Malichi Murph scored Topeka High's lone TD against Wichita Northwest on a fumble return. Washburn Rural can clinch a share of the Centennial League title with a win.
Topeka West senior Josh Nitschke rushed for 174 yards and scored on 72 and 91-yard runs last week against Lansing. [File photo/TSN]
KC-TURNER (0-5, 0-4 United Kansas Conference) vs. TOPEKA WEST (0-5, 0-5 United Kansas Conference)
At Hummer Sports Park
Both the Bears and Chargers will be looking for their first victories of the season. Turner is coming off a 56-7 United Kansas Conference loss to Piper while Topeka West dropped an 84-14 non-conference decision to Lansing last Thursday. Senior Josh Nitschke rushed for 174 yards and scored both of Topeka West's touchdowns against Lansing, on 72 and 91-yard runs. Topeka West notched its lone win of the 2022 season over Turner, with the Chargers taking a 26-21 decision.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Jaren Heim
JAREN HEIM, Washburn Rural
A 6-foot-2, 215-pound senior outside linebacker, Heim scored a pair of defensive touchdowns as Washburn Rural football improved to 5-0 overall and 2-0 in the Centennial League last Friday night with a 28-7 road win over Junction City. Heim recovered a Blue Jay fumble in the end zone for a touchdown and also scored a touchdown off a blocked punt by his brother, JC.
JC Heim
JC HEIM, Washburn Rural
Heim, a 6-foot-3, 225-pound senior outside linebacker, was a defensive force throughout Friday night's 28-7 Centennial League football win at Junction City as Washburn Rural improved to 5-0 overall and 2-0 in the Centennial League. Heim, who also plays running back for the Junior Blues, blocked a punt that his brother, Jaren, returned for a touchdown and he returned a fumble 77 yards for a touchdown after a Packson Bettis sack.
Tanner Martin
TANNER MARTIN, Silver Lake
Martin, Silver Lake's 6-foot-1, 180-pound senior quarterback, had a hand in five touchdowns in the Eagles' 42-28 Class 3A District 3 road football victory over rival Rossville. Martin carried the ball 20 times for 157 yards and three touchdowns and passed for 134 yards and a pair of TDs. Martin also helped Silver Lake successfully convert three 2-point conversions as the Eagles improved to 4-1 on the season.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Hayden improved to 5-0 and 2-0 in Class 3A District 4 with a 27-0 Homecoming win over Perry-Lecompton Friday night.
Hayden junior quarterback Jett Wahlmeier threw for 187 yards and a touchdown in Friday's 27-0 Class 3A district win over Perry-Lecompton. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Hayden sophomore Kade Mitchell rushed for 46 yards and a touchdown on just five carries in the Wildcats' 27-0 home Class 3A district win over Perry-Lecompton Friday night. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
The Wildcat defense stepped up early in the game after a Hayden turnover, stopping the Kaws on downs.
Junior Broderick Desch gave Hayden a 6-0 first-quarter lead with a 1-yard run (conversion failed), capping a 12-play, 76-yard drive.
Hayden boosted its lead to 12-0 in the second quarter when junior quarterback Jett Wahlmeier hit junior Jensen Schrickel with a 44-yard fourth-down touchdown strike (conversion failed) which capped a 10-play, 72-yard drive.
The Wildcats led 12-0 at halftime after turning the ball over deep in Perry-Lecompton territory late in the half to end a scoring threat.
Sophomore Kade Mitchell scored on a 21-yard run in the third quarter (Mason Becker kick) to put the Wildcats in front 19-0 after a four-play, 45-yard drive.
Senior Dom Ridley scored Hayden's final TD on a 10-yard run later in the third and Wahlmeier ran for the 2-point conversion to give the Wildcats their final margin. Ridley's TD finished off a five-play, 36-yard drive.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
(All games at 7 p.m.)
THURSDAY'S GAME
LANSING (2-2, 2-2 United Kansas Conferance) vs. TOPEKA WEST (0-4, 0-4 United Kansas Conference)
At Hummer Sports Park
Topeka West fell to 0-4 last week with a 34-0 United Kansas Conference loss to Piper, while Lansing evened its record at 2-2 with a 28-21 UKC win over Seaman. Topeka West has been outscored 217-12 over its first four games, but the Charger defense allowed a season-low 34 points last Friday against Piper.
FRIDAY GAMES
Rossville quarterback Camden Horak has passed for 882 yards and nine touchdowns for the 2-2 Bulldawgs. [File photo/TSN]
Silver Lake's Tanner Martin is one of the top returning quarterbacks in the Class 2A ranks, leading the Eagles to a 3-1 start to the 2023 season. [File photo/TSN]
SILVER LAKE (3-1, 0-0 Class 2A District 3) at ROSSVILLE (2-2, 1-0 Class 2A District 3)
Both the Eagles and Bulldawgs tuned up for the storied War on 24 rivalry with big wins last Friday. Silver Lake outlasted Mid-East League foe Rock Creek, 38-35, while Rossville opened Class 2A District 3 play with a 70-0 rout at Atchison County. Friday will be Silver Lake's district opener. Rossville quarterback Camden Horak has completed 61 of 98 passes for 882 yards and nine touchdowns while Tayson Horak has caught 21 passes for 312 yards and two TDs and rushed for 179 yards and a TD on 16 attempts. Top players for Silver Lake include quarterback Tanner Martin, running back Blake Redmond and receiver Eli Barnes.
Hayden senior Finn Dunshee has rushed for 630 yards and 10 touchdowns on 28 carries for the 4-0 Wildcats. [File photo/TSN]
PERRY-LECOMPTON (1-3, 0-1 Class 3A District 4) at HAYDEN (4-0, 1-0 Class 3A District 4)
Hayden, which has outscored its opposition by a 210-37 margin, stayed red hot with a 64-0 rout win at Jefferson West last Friday to open Class 3A District 4 play. Senior Finn Dunshee has rushed for 630 yards and 10 touchdowns on just 28 carries while junior quarterback Jett Wahlmeier has completed 27 of 47 passes for 474 yards and five TDs and junior Jensen Schrickel has 11 catches for 186 yards and three touchdowns. Perry-Lecompton is coming off a 32-12 loss to Holton.
BURLINGAME (4-0, 1-0 Eight-Man-I District 2) vs. CAIR PARAVEL LATIN (2-2, 0-1 Eight-Man-I District 2)
At Highland Park
Cair Paravel opened Eight-Man Division I District 2 play last week with a 58-30 loss to undefeated Lyndon and the Lions face an undefeated team for the second straight game Friday night. Burlingame is coming off a 53-0 rout over Chase County in the Bearcats' district opener. This will be Cair Paravel's final season in Eight-Man football before the Lions switch to the 11-man ranks next fall.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Hayden High, already a Class 3A school in football, will also compete in the 3A ranks in most other sports after the Kansas State High School Activities Association released its 2023-2024 classiciations Monday.
A longstanding 4A school, Hayden is the second largest school in 3A with 322 students, just two under Iola.
Hayden, which has won 12 Class 4A state basketball championships, including a perfect 25-0 boys season in 1982-83, will compete in 3A in the upcoming 2023-2024 season. [Submitted photo]
Hayden will continue to compete in 4A in girls tennis later this fall and is also expected to compete in 4A in girls golf.
Rossville football, which has won five state championships in Class 3A and 2A, including the 2021 2A title (above), will compete in 1A in in 2024 and 2025. [File photo/TSN]
Rossville, which won 2A state football championships in 2020 and 2021, will compete in 1A in 2024 and 2025.
The Bulldawgs will remain a 3A school in all other sports.
Cair Paravel Latin will also compete in 1A in '24 and '25, moving up from the Eight-Man ranks.
Cair Paravel will be classified as 2A in all other sports.
2023-2024 KSHSAA CLASSIFICATIONS
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Washburn Rural's depth was the difference in Monday's completion of the Topeka City Girls Tennis Championships at Kossover Tennis Center, with the Junior Blues winning the team championship by a 31-28 margin over Seaman.
Rural got a city title in No. 2 singles from senior Mena DiMarzio and the No. 2 doubles championship from juniors Izzy Haggard and Emerie Catlin and added a second-place finish in No. 1 singles from junior Carolina Chedzoy and a third in No. 1 doubles from seniors Claire Ireland and Gabby Martinez.
![Washburn Rural poses for a team picture after winning the team championship by a 31-28 margin over Seaman in the City Girls Tennis Championship Monday at Kossover Tennis Center. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]](/images/aa-images/WashburnRuraltennis.jpg)
Washburn Rural poses for a team picture after winning the team championship by a 31-28 margin over Seaman in the City Girls Tennis Championship Monday at Kossover Tennis Center. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
"We showed our depth throughout the tournament and that we're just a pretty strong team, one through six,'' Washburn Rural coach Brad Johnston said.
"I love where the girls are at right now. We've got some little kinks that we can fix but the girls are in prime form and we'll just see how the rest of the year plays out.''
Shawnee Heights junior Jette Glasenapp won the city title in No. 1 singles Monday at Kossover Tennis Center. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Shawnee Heights junior Jette Glasenapp, a foreign exchange student from Berlin, captured the No. 1 singles championship with a 6-4, 6-1 decision over Rural's Chedzoy while Seaman senior Katie Krumins and sophomore Molly Gorman outlasted Hayden senior Lauren Sandstrom and junior Emily Sheetz in the No. 1 doubles final, 6-4, 2-6, 10-7.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Rossville opened Class 2A District 3 play with a 70-0 road romp at Atchison County Friday night, with the Bulldawgs evening their record at 2-2 on the season.
Rossville senior quarterback Camden Horak threw for three first-half tournament passes as the Bulldawgs opened up a 35-0 halftime lead on the way to a 70-0 Class 2A district win over Atchison County. [File photo/TSN]
Rossville jumped out to a 20-0 first-quarter advantage and took a 35-0 lead to the locker room at halftime.
The Bulldawgs tacked on 28 points in the third quarter while forcing a running clock due to the 45-point spread rule, and Rossvill ended its second with a fourth-quarter TD.
Rossville senior quarterback Camden Horak threw for three first-half touchdowns for the Bulldawgs while junior Tayson Horak finished the night with four touhdowns and a 2-point conversion.
Tayson Horak caught 26 and 22-yard touchdown passes from Camden Horak and also ran for a 39-yard TD and returned a punt 55 yards for a score.
Junior Seth Catron caught a 14-yard pass from C. Horak and ran for a 1-yard TD while sophomore Conner Bush scored on 9 and 7-yard runs and sophomores Canann Mitchell and Caleb Broxterman scored on 1-yard runs.
Up next for the Bulldawgs is next Friday's annual War on 24 against Silver Lake at Rossville.
TOPEKA HIGH 41, EMPORIA 10 -- Topeka High trailed 10-6 at halftime Friday night before scoring 35 unanswered points in the second half to take a 41-10 Centennial League road victory at Welch Stadium.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
(All games at 7 p.m.)
FRIDAY GAMES
Washburn Rural senior quarterback Branton DeWeese and the Junior Blues will face a huge test Friday against defending Class 6A state champion Manhattan at Bowen-Glaze Stadium. [File photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]
MANHATTAN (3-0, 1-0 Centennial League) at WASHBURN RURAL (3-0, 0-0 Centennial League)
This figures to be one of the state's top matchups of the week, with Manhattan the defending Class 6A state champion and winner of 16 straight games dating back to 2021 while Washburn Rural is coming off back-to-back eight-win seasons and is off to a perfect start this fall. Washburn Rural notched a 51-15 non-league road win at Piper last Friday while Manhattan rolled to a 49-7 non-league win over Hays and has outscored its first three foes by a 137-45 margin. Friday's game will be the Centennial League opener for Washburn Rural.
Hayden senior Finn Dunshee has rushed for 526 yards on just 25 carries for the 3-0 Wildcats while scoring eight total touchdowns. [File photo/TSN]
HAYDEN (3-0, 0-0 Class 3A District 4) at JEFFERSON WEST (1-2, 0-0 Class 3A District 4)
Hayden, which has outscored its opposition by a 146-37 margin, stayed unbeaten with a 49-23 non-league win at Rossville last week and will open Class 3A district play Friday night. Senior Finn Dunshee has rushed for 526 yards and seven touchdowns on just 25 carries and added an eighth touchdown on a pick six. Junior quarterback Jett Wahlmeier has completed 24 of 43 passes for 358 yards and four TDs while junior Jensen Schrickel has 10 catches for 132 yards and three touchdowns. Jeff West is coming off a 50-14 loss to Sabetha.
LYNDON (3-0, 0-0 Eight-Man-I District 2) vs. CAIR PARAVEL LATIN (2-1, 0-0 Eight-Man-I District 2)
At Hummer Sports Park
Cair Paravel has posted back-to-back lopsided victories that ended by way of the 45-point spread rule, including a 62-8 win over Marais de Cygnes Valley last Friday. The Lions have outscored their past two opponents by a 122-20 margin. Lyndon is undefeated on the season, including a 70-24 romp past Frankfort last week. Friday's game opens Eight-Man Division II district play for both schools. Jase Pavlik completed 9 of 11 passes for 132 yards, 3 touchdowns and two 2-point conversions in the CPLS win over Marais des Cygnes while Jesiah Bonura rushed for 69 yards and two TDs on just four carries and Evan Will had two carries for 65 yards and two TDs.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news b
The annual Topeka City Girls Tennis Championships were in the home stretch Thursday before lightning and eventually rain caused the completion of the meet to be pushed back to Monday at Kossover Tennis Center.
The city meet is scheduled to resume at 3 p.m. Monday.
Shawnee Heights junior Jette Glasenapp was playing for the city championship in No. 1 singles Thursday when lightning and rain pushed back the tournament to Monday. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Washburn Rural junior Carolina Chedzoy was playing for the city title in No. 1 singles when the tournament was postponed because of inclement weather. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
The No. 1 singles and doubles championships were well under way, with Shawnee Heights junior Jette Glasenapp facing Washburn Rural junior Carolina Chedzoy in the No. 1 singles final and Hayden senior Lauren Sandstrom and junior Emily Sheetz taking on Seaman senior Katie Krumins and sophomore Molly Gorman in the No. 1 doubles final.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Three-set matches were the order of the day for Silver Lake's volleyball team in Saturday's 10-school Rossville Invitational, with the Eagles playing four three-setters on the day, including a win over rival Rossville in the semifinals.
But after coming out on top in three straight three-setters, the Eagles' good fortune ran out in the championship match against Tonganoxie, which outlasted Silver Lake, 25-17, 16-25, 25-23 to cap a perfect 6-0 day, including two wins over Lake.
Silver Lake volleyball coach Sarah Johnson talks to her team during Saturday's Rossville Invitational. The Eagles went 4-2 on the day to finish second. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Silver Lake junior Alana Brewster goes up for a kill in Saturday's Rossville Invitational final against Tonganoxie. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
"These girls don't give up on themselves and they know they've got it in them so we might go on a roller-coaster ride, but they know they can finish, they know their capabilities and their skill set so we just kept fighting to the end,'' said Silver Lake coach Sarah Johnson, who team is 13-4 on the year.
Tonganoxie opened up 17-10 and 21-12 first-set leads over the Eagles in the final before closing out the eight-point win, but Silver Lake answered with a strong performance in the second set.
Silver Lake went up 3-0 on a service ace from junior Alana Brewster and took a 6-1 lead on a kill from sophomore Jaiden Wise.
Later in the set the Eagles broke a 12-12 tie with three straight points, including kills from Brewster and Wise and Silver Lake forced a third set with six straight points, getting a long service run from senior McKinley Kruger and a pair of kills from senior Makenzie McDaniel to close out the nine-point victory.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Undefeated Washburn Rural set up next week's Centennial League showdown with Manhattan with a 51-15 non-league road romp past Piper Friday night.
Washburn Rural senior quarterback Branton DeWeese had a big passing night in the Junior Blues' 51-15 non-league romp past Piper. [File photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]
The Junior Blues, who improved to 3-0, will host Manhattan, also 3-0, next Friday night at Bowen-Glaze Stadium.
Manhattan, the reigning Class 6A state champion, stayed unbeaten with a 49-7 win over Hays.
Washburn Rural built a 30-15 halftime advantage over the Pirates and added three second-half touchdowns, all on TD passes from senior quarterback Branton DeWeese.
DeWeese connected with senior Titan Osburn for a pair of touchdowns and also connected with senior Rylan Armstrong for the Junior Blues final score of the night.
Junior running back Jamon Wilson and the Highland Park football team are 3-0 on the season after Friday's 26-13 win over KC-Sumner. [File photo/TSN]
HIGHLAND PARK 26, KC-SUMNER ACADEMY 13 --Highland Park is off to a 3-0 start for the second straight season after Friday night's 26-13 Meadowlark Conference road victoryover winless Kansas City-Sumner Academy.
The Scots will return to action next Friday night, traveling to Kansas City-Harmon.
CAIR PARAVEL LATIN 62, MARAIS DES CYGNES VALLEY 8 --Cair Paravel Latin won its second straight game Friday night, rolling to a 62-8 road victory over Marais des Cygnes Valley.
The game was stopped by way of the 45-point spread rule, CPLS's second straight mercy rule victory. as the Lions improved to 2-1 on the season.
The Lions will host Lyndon next Friday night at Highland Park.
SILVER LAKE 29, ST. MARYS 28 -- Silver Lake rallied from a 12-7 halftime deficit to earn a 29-28 Mid-East League decision at St. Marys.
Tanner Martin, Eli Barnes and Logan Cathcart all had big games for the Eagles, who bounced back from a Week 2 loss to Hayden.
Silver Lake, 2-1 on the season, will host Rock Creek next Friday.
DE SOTO 59, TOPEKA WEST 0 -- De Soto bounced back from a Week 2 non-league loss to Washburn Rural with a 59-0 United Kansas Conference victory over Topeka West at Hummer Sports Park.
The Chargers, 0-3 on the year, will play a UKC game at Piper next Firday.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
(All games at 7 p.m. unless noted)
THURSDAY'S GAME
LIBERAL (2-0) vs. TOPEKA HIGH (0-2)
At Hummer Sports Park
Topeka High is coming off a 55-19 loss to reigning Class 6A state champion Manhattan in the Trojans' Centennial League opener last Thursday while Liberal improved to 2-0 with a 47-14 win over Emporia. Topeka High scored its first touchdowns of the season in the Manhattan loss, with Isaiah Kincade catching a 70-yard TD pass from Zane Smith, Malachi Murph scoring on a 99-yard pick-six and Jayden Norman catching a 26-yard TD pass from CJ Ross.
Seaman junior quarterback Max Huston has thrown for 12 touchdowns in two games for the 2-0 Vikings, including seven TDs in last week's 59-6 UKC win over KC-Turner. [File photo/TSN]
FRIDAY GAMES
SEAMAN (2-0, 2-0) at SHAWNEE HEIGHTS (2-0, 2-0)
Seaman posted its second straight lopsided United Kansas Conference decision last Friday, a 59-6 home win over Kansas City-Turner, while Shawnee Heights improved to 2-0 with a 26-25 UKC win at Lansing. Seaman junior quarterback Max Huston threw for seven touchdowns in the Vikings' win over Turner and now has 12 TD passes on the year, while Shawnee Heights senior quarterback Ryeki Tuley threw for 343 yards and two touchdowns on a 24 of 37 performance and also ran for a TD in the T-Birds' win over Lansing.
Hayden senior Finn Dunshee (33) rushed for 154 yards and scored three touchdowns in the Wildcats' 56-7 win over Silver Lake last Friday. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Hayden senior Jude Konrade (52) is congratulated by his teammates after scoring a defensive touchdown in Friday's 56-7 win over Silver Lake. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
HAYDEN (2-0) at ROSSVILLE (1-1)
Hayden rolled to a 56-7 home win over traditional state power Silver Lake last Friday while Rossville dropped a 26-20 decision to Riley County, with the Falcons scoring the game-winning touchdown with three and a half minutes left at Rossville. Hayden senior Finn Dunshee rushed for 154 yards and three TDs on just eight carries against Silver Lake, scoring on runs of 7, 56 and 29 yards, while senior Jude Konrade scored a defensive touchdown on a 24-yard fumble return. Rossville rallied from a 12-0 deficit to knot the game at 20 before Riley County pulled out the win.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
(All kickoffs at 7 p.m.)
THURSDAY'S GAME
MANHATTAN (1-0, 0-0) vs. TOPEKA HIGH (0-1, 0-0)
At Hummer Sports Park
Topeka High dropped a 43-0 decision to 2022 Class 5A runnerup Maize last Friday and Carlos Kelly's Trojans face another tough test in their home-opener Thursday night, facing reigning 6A state champ Manhattan. The Indians opened their season with a 33-19 non-league win over Derby. Thursday night's game will be the Centennial League opener for both Topeka High and Manhattan.
FRIDAY GAMES
SILVER LAKE (1-0) at HAYDEN (1-0)
Both Silver Lake and Hayden are coming off big season-opening wins, with the Eagles avenging a 2022 playoff loss with a 40-24 win over Riley County while Hayden rolled to a 41-7 decision over traditional small-school power Olpe while giving veteran Wildcat coach Bill Arnold his 200th career win as a head coach. Senior standout Finn Dunshee ran for 196 yards, including 66 and 67-yard touchdown runs while junior quarterback Jett Wahlmeier threw for 188 yards and three TDs on a 12 of 20 performance. Senior Blake Redmond scored four touchdowns in Silver Lake's win over Riley County, including an 85-yard kickoff return for a touchdown on the opening kickoff.
KC-SCHLAGLE (1-0, 1-0) at HIGHLAND PARK (1-0, 1-0)
Highland Park, coming off a 6-3 season in 2022, opened its season with a win over Meadowlark Conference foe Kansas City-Wyandotte for the second straight season, rolling to a 33-7 win over the Bulldogs at Wyandotte. Kansas City-Schlagle opened its season with a 44-0 Meadowlark Conference win over Kansas City-Harmon.
Washburn Rural senior Jaren Heim (27) scored on a pick six in Friday's 26-25 win over Wichita East. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]
DE SOTO (1-0) at WASHBURN RURAL (1-0)
Washburn Rural survived a tough non-league test from Wichita East last Friday at Rural, with senior JC Heim blocking a Blue Aces extra point attempt late in the game to preserve the Junior Blues 1-point lead in a 26-25 victory. Senior Jaren Heim had a pick-six in the game for Washburn Rural. De Soto opened its season with a 42-21 United Kansas Conference win over Lansing.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Down 16-0 just 1:35 into its 2023 season-opener, Rossville rallied to knock off '22 Class 1A state champion St. Marys 30-22 Friday night on the Bulldawgs' home field.
Camden Horak
Seth Catron
Derick Hammes' Bulldawgs gave up a rushing touchdown, a pick-six and a pair of 2-point conversions by the 10:25 mark of the opening quarter, but five-time state champ Rossville answered with 30 unanswered first-half points to take control.
Rossville cut its defict to 16-14 by the end of the first quarter, with senior quarterback Camden Horak scoring on a 1-yard rush at the 9:24 mark and junior Seth Catron scoring on a 15-yard run with 2:07 left in the quarter.
The Bulldawgs then tied the game on a safety midway through the second quarter and took the lead on a 39-yard touchdown pass from Horak to sophomore Jack Donavan (5:48 2nd quarter) and Horak hitting junior Kameron Badura for a 5-yard TD with just one second left in the first half to put Rossville up 30-16.
Sophomore Paxton Willett went four of four on extra points for the Bulldawgs.
The scoring pace slowed to a crawl after halftime, with the defensive units taking control.
The Bears scored their final TD with 4:34 remaining in the third quarter, ending the scoring for both teams.
Rossville will be at home next Friday to host Riley County.
HAYDEN 41, OLPE 7 --Coming off a 10-2 season a year ago, Hayden rolled to a 41-7 season-opening road win over traditional small-school power Olpe
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Washburn Rural improved to 2-0 on the season Friday night with a 28-14 non-league decision over De Soto at Bowen-Glaze Stadium.
Washburn Rural senior Packson Bettis (right) celebrates a tackle for a loss in Rural's 28-14 non-league win over De Soto. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]
Washburn Rural junior Lafayette Thompson rushed for more than 100 yards and scored two touchdowns in the Junior Blues' 28-14 win over DeSoto. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]
The Junior Blues and Wildcats were knotted at 7-7 at the end of the first quarter before Rural opened up a 21-7 advantage at the half while taking advantage of two De Soto turnovers.
De Soto cut its deficit to 21-14 early in the fourth quarter before Washburn Rural added an insurance TD.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
(All kickoffs at 7 p.m.)
Seaman junior quarterback Max Huston (7) passed for 1,248 yards and 12 touchdowns last fall for the 4-4 Vikings. [File photo/TSN]
TOPEKA WEST at SEAMAN
Trey Parker begins his first full season as Topeka West's head coach after serving as interim coach for the final three games of the 2022 season while Jared Swafford begins his third year at Seaman. West went 1-8 a year ago while Seaman is coming off a 4-4 season. Senior lineman Kyrece Robinson is a top returner for Topeka West while junior quarterback Max Huston, senior running back/defensive back Jack Bloom and senior wide receiver/defensive back Callen Barta are standouts for an experienced Seaman team. Huston passed for 1,248 yards and 12 touchdowns last season while Bloom rushed for 483 yards and seven TDs and Barta caught 41 passes for 406 yards and three TDs. Seaman beat West 58-14 in the 2022 season-opener for both schools.
Washburn Rural senior linebacker JC Heim (25) is a returning TopSports.news All-Shawnee County pick. [File photo/TSN]
WICHITA EAST at WASHBURN RURAL
Both teams are coming off strong 2022 seasons, with Washburn Rural posting an 8-3 record under Steve Buhler, who is beginning his 11th year at the school, while Wichita East went 6-4 last season. Rural advanced to the third round of the Class 6A playoffs while East won its first-round playoff tilt before losing in the second round. Washburn Rural came from behind to beat the Blue Aces 49-42 in last season's opener. The Junior Blues return a key nucleus of players from last year's team, including TopSports.news All-Shawnee County picks Branton DeWeese (quarterback), Titan Osburn (wide receiver), Packson Bettis (defensive end) and JC Heim (outside linebacker). DeWeese passed for 1,884 yards and 25 touchdowns last season while Osburn had 32 catches for 668 yards and 12 TDS. Heim was in on 73 tackles and Bettis 61 tackles.
Shawnee Heights senior Allen Baughman rushed for 1,496 yards and 20 touchdowns last season, earning All-Shawnee County Top 22 honors. [File photo/TSN]
PIPER at SHAWNEE HEIGHTS
Shawnee Heights went 5-5 in the 2022 season while Piper is coming off a 7-4 campaign. Piper opened the '22 season with a 31-20 win over the T-Birds. Jason Swift's Shawnee Heights team returns eight starters on offense and seven on defense, led by star senior running back Allen Baughman, who was named the TopSports.news Co-Shawnee County offensive newcomer of the year after rushing for 1,496 yards and scoring 20 touchdowns a year ago. Other top players include senior linemen Christian Gonzales and Rykan Carver, linebacker Alex Dittman and receivers seniors Jayden Moore, Jacob Malcom and Jayden Holly, who all received All-United Kansas Conference recognition last season.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Editor's note: TopSports.news finished its tour of preseason football practice at all 10 Shawnee County high schools on Friday and will post preview stories over the coming days leading into the opening games of the 2023 season on Sept. 1.
-------------------------------------------
Coming off a perfect 11-0 record and a Kansas Christian Athletic Association state championship in 2021, Cair Paravel Latin football coach Doug Bonura knew his team was going to face a big challenge last fall in its first season as a full member of the Kansas State High School Athletics Association.
Cair Paravel Latin football coach Doug Bonura (right) talks to his team during a preseason practice session. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
That certainly proved to be the case as the Lions finished 3-5 after an up-and-down campaign and came up short of their goal of advancing to the Eight-Man Division I playoffs out of District 2.
"Last year was kind of a year of getting things figured out, going into KSHSAA for the first time, and not knowing half the teams we played,'' Bonura said. "That's half your battle when you know what you're getting into.
"Last year we were really hoping to get into the playoffs. We thought we had a chance, and we did have a chance, but we just didn't put two and two together to make it happen and we played some really good teams.''
But with a strong, senior-laden returning nucleus, Bonura is confident his team can make some major moves this fall.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Eli Barnes
ELI BARNES, Silver Lake
Barnes, a senior wide receiver/defensive back, was a TopSports.news All-Shawnee County Top 22 and All-Mid-East League selection in 2022. Barnes caught 39 passes for 670 yards (17.2 yards per catch) and five touchdowns for the 6-3 Eagles. Barnes also picked off a pair of passes for Silver Lake and recovered a pair of fumbles on the year.
Callen Barta
CALLEN BARTA, Seaman
A 6-foot-3, 180-pound senior wide receiver/defensive back, Barta earned All-Shawnee County Second 22 and All-United Kansas Conference second-team recognition at receiver last fall for the 4-4 Vikings. Barta caught 41 passes for 406 yards and three touchowns and was in on 26 tackles with two interceptions. Barta has made an oral commitment to Nebraska.
Allen Baughman
ALLEN BAUGHMAN, Shawnee Heights
A senior running back, Baughman was named the TopSports.news Shawnee County co-offensive newcomer of the year in 2022 after rushing for 1,496 yards and 20 touchowns on 225 carries for the 5-5 T-Birds. Baughman, a first-team All-United Kansas Conference pick, rushed for more than 100 yards in seven games, including 284-yard and 222-yard performances.
Packson Bettis
PACKSON BETTIS, Washburn Rural
Bettis, a 6-foot-3, 235-pound senior defensive end, recorded 61 tackles (38 solos) with 10 sacks, 13 tackles for loss, 12 quarterback pressures and a forced fumble to help lead Washburn Rural to an 8-3 record and the third round (sectional) of the 6A Class 6A playoffs last fall. Bettis received All-Shawnee County Top 22 and first-team All-Centennial League first-team honors. Bettis has made an oral commitment to North Dakota.
Jack Bloom
JACK BLOOM, Seaman
Bloom, a 6-foot, 185-pound senior running back/defensive back, was an All-Shawnee County Second 22 selection last fall and earned All-United Kansas Conference second-team honors on defense for 4-4 Seaman. Bloom carried the ball 81 times for 483 yards and seven touchdowns and caught 10 passes for 133 yards and a touchdown. On defense Bloom was in on 20 tackles with an interception.
Jesiah Bonura
JESIAH BONURA, Cair Paravel Latin
Bonura, a senior, received TSN All-Shawnee County honorable mention for the 3-5 Lions last season and will be counted on to provide leadership for Cair Paravel. Bonura caught 40 passes for 400 yards and five touchdowns in 2022 and carried the ball 37 times for 250 yards and two touchdowns. Bonura was in on 23.5 tackles, with 3.5 stops for loss.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Jo'Mhara Benning
JO'MHARA BENNING, Topeka High
Benning, a junior, was a second-team All-Shawnee County selection last season and also received All-Centennial League honorable mention. Benning is also a softball and basketball standout for the Trojans.
Zoe Canfield
ZOE CANFIELD, Washburn Rural
Canfield, a 5-foot-10 senior setter/rightside hitter, earned first-team All-Shawnee County and All-Centennial League honors last fall after helping lead Washburn Rural to a 45-1 record and the eighth Class 6A state title in school history. Canfield, who has competed in three straight state tournaments for the Junior Blues, accumulated 1,016 assists last fall with 172 digs and 46 service aces on 96.6-percent serving.
Layla Collins
LAYLA COLLINS, Washburn Rural
A 5-foot-11 junior leftside hitter, Collins played a key role last season as Washburn Rural posted a 45-1 record, including 44 straight wins, en route to the Class 6A state championship. Collins was a second-team All-Shawnee County pick and received All-Centennial League honorable mention.
Brooklyn Gormley
BROOKLYN GORMLEY, Seaman
Gormley, a senior, moved up to the All-Shawnee County first team last season after being a second-team pick as a sophomore and was also an All-United Kansas Conference first-team pick and All-Class 5A State Tournament selection. Gormley registered 275 kills for the 32-11 Vikings last fall while hitting at a .257 clip and had 70 total blocks. Gormley also recorded 65 digs and 57 service aces, helping Seaman post a fourth-place finish in 5A.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Former Silver Lake star Shannon Kruger and former Hayden star Corrinne (Stringer) McGreevy are returning to their alma maters as head coaches, part of a group of 18 new varsity head coaches who have been announced by Shawnee County high schools for the 2023-2024 school year.
Former Hayden star Corrinne (Stringer) McGreevy will take over as the Wildcats' volleyball coach this fall. [File photo/TSN]
Kruger, a former Silver Lake multi-sport standout and a Washburn University Hall of Famer, takes over as the Eagles' head boys basketball coach, while McGreevy is the new Hayden volleyball coach after starring for the Wildcats in that sport.
Former Shawnee Heights All-Stater and Cair Paravel Latin coach Trey Brown is the new boys basketball coach at Hayden. [File photo/TSN]
Joining Kruger as a new head coach for Silver Lake is Colt Rogers, who is taking over as the Eagles' wrestling coach, while former Shawnee Heights star and Cair Paravel Latin coach Trey Brown is Hayden's new boys basketball coach.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Shawnee Heights' 2004 girls soccer team, which dropped just one game on the way to the Class 5A-1A state championship, was picked for the No. 1 spot on the TopSports.news Best of the Best Top 10.
Shawnee Heights, the 2004 Class 5A-1A state champ, is No. 1 on the TSN Best of the Best girls soccer Top 10. [Submitted photo to KSHSAA.org]
Marc Serrano's Shawnee Heights team went 18-1-1 on the season, beating city rival Topeka West in the 5A-1A state final to earn Heights' lone state soccer championship.
T-Bird legend Jessica Mainz, who also led Heights to a runnerup state finish in '05, finished her T-Bird career with 97 goals and 44 assists before becoming an All-American and two-time MIAA Player of the Year for Washburn University.
Topeka West earned its lone state soccer title in 2001, posting an 18-2-0 record to win the Class 5A-1A championship. [Submitted photo to KSHSAA.org]
Tim Collins' Topeka West Chargers, who garnered Shawnee County's first-ever girls state soccer championship in 2001, were tapped for the No. 2 spot on the Best of the Best list.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Recent Seaman graduate Jaxson Thomas, a Class 5A state wrestling champion as a senior, was named the Topeka Shawnee County Winter Male Athlete of the Year Wednesday night at Washburn.
Seaman state wrestling champion Jaxson Thomas was named the Topeka Shawnee County Winter Male Athlete of the Year Wednesday night. [File photo/TSN]
Thomas won the 5A 285-pound state wrestling championship in Febuary after jumping up two weight divisions for his final high school season.
Thomas posted a 46-5 record on the 2023 season and avenged a regional loss in the state championship match, pinning Blue Valley Southwest senior Tarin Forsyth in the second period.
Thomas recorded a pin in the final match of the United Kansas Conference tournament to give Seaman the UKC team championship in Seaman's first season in the conference.
As a junior Thomas was a Centennial League champion and a 5A state qualifier. Thomas was also a standout for Seaman's football team, receiving All-Shawnee County honorable mention as a senior.
Thomas, the son of Richard Thomas and Karen Olson-Thomas, compiled a 3.57 grade point average at Seaman.
Other candidates:
