Cair Paravel Lions
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.
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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:
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Seven city schools have representation on the 2023 All-City girls soccer team, led by Washburn Rural with four first-team picks.
Washburn Rural (15-5-1), which won the Centennial League championship on the way to a third-place finish in the Class 6A state tournament, put seniors Hailey Beck, Addi Broxterman and Mackinly Rohn and sophomore Kate Hinck on the first team, selected by city coaches.
Washburn Rural senior Hailey Beck was a first-team All-City pick at goalkeeper. [File photo/TSN]
Senior Mackinly Rohn is one of four Washburn Rural players on the All-City soccer first team. [File photo/TSN]
Cair Paravel junior Katherine Keys (left) and sophomore Zahra Friess (3) have been named to the All-City soccer first team. [File photo/TSN]
Topeka High junior Avery Zimmerman (2) earned first-team All-City girls soccer honors for the third straight season. [File photo/TSN]
Seaman is represented on the All-City first team by junior repeat pick Elinore Stallbaumer, senior Jaycee Schumann and freshman Ava Huston while Viking coach Tim Nussbaum was named the city coach of the year after leading Seaman to a 14-2-2 record in 2023.
Hayden, which finished third in the Class 4A-1A state tournament, put seniors Briahna Barnett and Noelia Cruz on the first team after the Wildcats went 12-6-2 on the season.
Cair Paravel Latin, which posted a 16-2-1 record, put junior Katherine Keys and sophomore Zahra Friess on the first team for the second straight season while Shawnee Heights sophomore Lailah Benz is also a first-team repeat pick and is joined on the first team by senior teammate Lily Martin.
Topeka High junior Avery Zimmerman made the All-City first team for the third straight season while Topeka West senior Noelia Valezuela Alvarado rounds out the first team.
2023 ALL-CITY GIRLS SOCCER
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Thirteen city girls soccer standouts have earned All-State recognition from the Kansas High School Soccer Coaches Association, led by Cair Paravel Latin Class 4A-1A co-forward of the year Katherine Keys.
Cair Paravel junior Katherine Keys and sophomore Zahra Friess (3) have been named to the All-Class 4A-1A soccer first team, with Keys named the co-forward of the year in 4A-1A. [File photo/TSN]
Washburn Rural senior Mackinly Rohn (left) has been named to the All-4A-1A soccer first team. [File photo/TSN]
Keys, a junior, was one of four Lions named to the All-4A-1A first team along with Zahra Friess, KellyAnn Chada and Trinity Childs while CPLS coach Doug Woolery was named the 4A-1A co-coach of the year.
Washburn Rural senior midfielder Mackinly Rohn earned first-team honors in 6A after earning honorable mention as a junior.
Rural senior Addi Broxterman earned All-6A second-team recognition while Kate Hinck, Destiny Higgs and Hailey Beck earned honorable mention.
Shawnee Heights sophomore Isabell Van Fleet was a second-team pick in 5A while Heights' Lailah Benz earned honorable mention.
Cair Paravel's Veronica Ignato and Sawyer Schwartz received All-4A-1A honorable mention.
Coaches have to be members of the KHSSCA to have players nominated and selected.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Chip Kueffer may be brand new to being a head basketball coach, but the new Cair Paravel Latin coach has spent most of his life around the sport, including more than four years with Hall of Fame coach Bill Self and the storied University of Kansas program.
Chip Kueffer
Now the Baldwin native is looking forward to putting all of that experience to good use in his new position with the Lions.
Kueffer takes over at Cair Paravel from Trey Brown, who recently resigned to accept the head coaching job at Hayden.
"The game has done so much for me and given me countless opportunities, memories and relationships, so this is a phenomenal opportunity for me to give back and pay forward for what's been done for me,'' Kueffer said. "I had so many selfless leaders and mentors pour into my life when there was nothing for them to gain out of it,
"So for me this is just a great opportunity for me to be able to pass on those same lessons and values and morals and everything. It's my passion for sure.''
One of the biggest influences in Kueffer's basketball career have been Self and the Jayhawk basketball progam.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Seven athletes who had a hand in eight state titles, including five multiple-event state champs, headline the 2023 All-Shawnee County boys track and field team.
Hayden senior Jake Muller (right) won his second Class 4A 300-meter hurdles state title last Saturday, one of his three state gold medals on the day. [Photo by Kyle Grunert/Special to TSN]
Hayden junior Finn Dunshee (left) was the 4A 100-meter dash champ and also won state titles in the 4x100 and 4x400-meter relays last weekend. [Photo by Kyle Grunert/Special to TSN]
Hayden senior Jake Muller and junior Finn Dunshee took home three gold medals apiece, posting individual wins to go with two relay victories, while Wildcat sophomores Jensen Schrickel and Liam Stegman teamed with Muller and Dunshee for the two relay titles, including a Class 4A state meet record.
Highland Park senior Tre Richardson (middle) won the Class 5A boys 100-meter dash last Saturday at Cessna Stadium, the first of his two state titles on the day. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Highland Park senior Tre Richardson won the Class 5A long jump, finished second in the triple jump and scored 33 total points in the state meet. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Highland Park senior Tre Richardson turned in a monster individual 5A state performance, winning a pair of state titles and posting a runnerup finish while scoring 33 points by himself to outscore 22 other 5A schools.
Shawnee Heights junior Jackson Esquibel won the Class 5A state title in the 3,200 meters and finished second in the 1,600 last weekend. [Photo by Brent Maycock/KSHSAA Covered]
Topeka West sophomore Alesecio Batson won the Class 5A triple jump championship last weekend in Wichita. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Shawnee Heights junior Jackson Esquibel and Topeka West sophomore Alesecio Batson also won 5A state titles, with Esquibel also recording a second-place finish as 16 members of the All-Shawnee County team earning state medals.
Hayden's Liam Stegman, Jake Muller, Jensen Schrickel and Finn Dunshee won Class 4A state titles in the 4x100 and 4x400 relays last Saturday in Wichita. [Photo by Kyle Grunert/Special to TSN]
Muller won the second 300-meter intermediate hurdles state title of his career in 38.41 seconds while Dunshee won the 4A 100-meter dash in 10.84 and Muller and Dunshee teamed with Schrickel and Stegman to win the 4x100 (42.65) and 4x400 relay championships while setting the 4A meet record in the 4X400 relay (3:20.99). Schrickel also finished third in the 400 (49.63).
Richardson won the 5A 100-meter dash in 10.73 seconds and the long jump at 23 feet, 4.50 inches, finished second in the triple jump (46-5.75) and fourth in the 200 dash (22.49).
Esquibel won the 5A 3,200-meter run in 9 minutes, 18.67 seconds and added a runnerup finish in the 1,600 (4:15.26) while Batson won the 5A triple jump at 48-4.25.
Topeka West senior Lenny Njoroge finished second in the 5A 3,200 (9:21.24) and added a fourth-place finish in the 1,600 (4:22.45) while Shawnee Heights senior Jordan Garvin finished second in the 5A 300 hurdles (39.68) and Washburn Rural junior Jamond Lane was second in the 6A discus (167-6).
Washburn Rural junior Josh Sulzen-Watson finished fourth in the 6A discus (157-4) and fifth in the javelin (168-6).
Cair Paravel Latin sophomore Ben Roeder, who competed for Topeka High during the regular season and CPLS in the postseason finished fourth in the 2A 200-meter dash (23.43) and fifth in the 400 (50.70).
Shawnee Heights senior Jeremiah Smith, a former state champ, posted a fifth-place finish in the 5A 100 (10.95) while T-Bird junior Alex Dittman took fifth in the 5A javelin (165-9) while Hayden senior Joe Otting earned a 4A state medal with an eighth-place finish in the discus (142-11) and Washburn Rural freshman Liam Morrison took eighth in the 6A 300 hurdles (46.39).
Also earning berths on the All-Shawee County boys first team were Seaman senior Branen Moore, junior Aaron Merritt, sophomore Bryce Cochran and Peyton Holmes, Washburn Rural seniors Easton Dial and Davin Johnson and junior Colin Rausch, Highland Park senior Keijuan Johnson and Topeka High senior V'Ante Peoples, juniors Jaziah Mack, Logan Murray,and Travis Shyne and freshman Malachi Murph.
All-Shawnee County picks were based on meeting minimum performance standards as well as coaches' recommendation and postseason performances.
ALL-SHAWNEE COUNTY BOYS TRACK AND FIELD
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Three-time first-team selections Myles Alonzo of Topeka West, Bryce Badsky of Silver Lake and Alex Valdivia of Shawnee Heights headline the 2023 All-Shawnee County boys golf team.
The 2023 All-Shawnee County boys golf team: Front left -- Myles Alonzo, Topeka West; Tyler Lincoln, Shawnee Heights; Alex Valdivia, Shawnee Heights; Jonathan Hart, Rossville; Hayden Glynn, Washburn Rural; Andrew Burdett, Washburn Rural; Bryan Tyrell, Washburn Rural. Not pictured: Bryce Badsky, Silver Lake. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Bryce Badsky, Silver Lake
Valdivia, a senior, and Alonzo, a junior, earned individual medals in the Class 5A state tournament while Badsky, a junior, earned his third straight individual medal in the 3A state meet.
Washburn Rural, which won its 13th straight city team championship, is represented on the All-Shawnee County team by seniors Andrew Burdett and Bryan Tyrell and junior Hayden Glynn while Shawnee Heights senior Tyler Lincoln and Rossville sophomore Jonathan Hart round out the eight-member first team.
Lincoln was the 2023 city individual champion while Hart placed fifth individually in the 3A state tournament and led the Bulldawgs to a fifth-place team finish.
All-Shawnee County capsules:
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Hayden's Lauren Sandstrom and Shawnee Heights' Jackson Esquibel, who both recently completed their junior years of high school, were selected Thursday night at The Foundry as the Dan Key Farmers Agency girls and boys 2023 Rising Stars of the year.
Hayden's Lauren Sandstrom (left) and Shawnee Heights' Jackson Esquibel (right) pose with Dan Key Thursday night after being named the 2023 Dan Key Farmers Agency Rising Stars of the Year. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Sandstrom and Esquibel were picked from seven girls and boys finalists chosen from weekly Rising Stars who were selected through the 2022-2023 school year.
Sandstrom was a three-sport standout for Hayden, earning a Class 4A state doubles championship with Emily Sheetz last fall and helped lead the Wildcats to a state tournament berth in basketball and a third-place state finish in soccer.
Esquibel capped a big year as a distance runner for Shawnee Heights last weekend at Wichita State's Cessna Stadium with a Class 5A state track championship in the 3,200-meter run and a second-place finish in the 1,600. Last fall Esquibel was a state medalist in the 5A cross country meet, finishing eighth.
Other girls finalists included Rossville three-time state wrestling champion Kendra Hurla, Silver Lake three-sport stars Makenzie McDaniel and McKinley Kruger, Seaman four-sport standout Anna Becker, Washburn Rural 2022 volleyball and basketball state champ Zoe Canfield and Highland Park basketball star Amelia Ramsey.
Hurla, McDaniel, Kruger and Canfield recently completed their junior years of high school while Becker and Ramsey recently finished their sophomore years.
Other boys finalists included Washburn Rural state wrestling champion Easton Broxterman, Topeka West state triple jump champion Alesecio Batson, Seaman football and baseball standout Max Huston, Washburn Rural star quarterback Branton DeWeese, Shawnee Heights football and wrestling standout Allen Baughman and Hayden football star and track and field state champion Jensen Schrickel.
DeWeese and Baughman recently completed their junior years of high school while Broxterman, Batson, Huston and Schrickel completed their sophomore years.
The Dan Key Famers Agency also recognized Shawnee County state team champions from the the 2022-2023 school year.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
BOYS
100 METERS
Highland Park senior Tre Richardson (middle) won the Class 5A state title in the 100-meter dash, one of his two gold medals and four top-four finishes at state. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Richardson, Highland Park 10.49
Smith, Shawnee Heights 10.74
Dunshee, Hayden 10.76
Peoples, Topeka High 10.96
Merritt, Seaman 10.99
200 METERS
Richardson, Highland Park 21.5
Murph, Topeka High 22.16
Cochran, Seaman 22.34
Smith, Shawnee Heights 22.35
Peoples, Topeka High 22.53
400 METERS
Schrickel, Hayden 49.63
Roeder, Cair Paravel 50.70
Roney, Washburn Rural 51.72
Benz, Shawnee Heights 51.89
Chooncharoen, Washburn Rural 51.96
800 METERS
Esquibel, Shawnee Heights 1:59.55
Moore, Seaman 2:00.12
Johnson, Washburn Rural 2:00.55
Anderson, Seaman 2:01.30
Stuke, Seaman 2:01.5
1,600 METERS
Esquibel, Shawnee Heights 4:15.26
Njoroge, Topeka West 4:17.71
Dial, Washburn Rural 4:33.13
Johnson, Washburn Rural 4:33.46
Walker, Seaman 4:39.05
Shawnee Heights junior Jackson Esquibel was the state champion in the Class 5A 3,200 and the runnerup in the 1,600 while Topeka West senior Lenny Njoroe (right) was second in the 3,200 and fourth in the 1,600. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
3,200 METERS
Esquibel, Shawnee Heights 9:18.67
Njoroge, Topeka West 9:20.08
Johnson, Washburn Rural 9:51.59
Dial, Washburn Rural 9:51.97
Jowers, Seaman 10:05.32
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
WICHITA -- Saturday was a special day all the way through for Hayden's boys track team at Cessna Stadium, but the Wildcats saved their best for last, setting a meet record in their final event of the day.
Hayden junior Finn Dunshee (left) crosses the finish line with the Class 4A state championship in the 100-meter dash. [Photo by Kyle Grunert/Special to TSN]
Hayden's Jake Muller (right) and Eudora's Conor Dunback run virtually even late in the Class 4A 300-meter hurdles event Saturday at Cessna Stadium. Muller won the state title in 38.41 seconds. [Photo by Kyle Grunert/Special to TSN]
Hayden sophomore Jensen Schrickel celebrates the Wildcats' victory at the end of Saturday night's Class 4x400 relay at Cessna Stadium. [Photo by Kyle Grunert/Special to TSN]
The Wildcats got individual Class 4A state championships from senior Jake Muller and junior Finn Dunshee, who also teamed with sophomores Jensen Schrickel and Liam Stegman to add a pair of relay wins as Hayden posted a top-five team finish.
Dunshee set the tone for the day when he was the top qualifier in the 4A 100-meter dash and followed that up with his first state championship in a time of 10.84 seconds.
"Based off my first run in our prelims I felt pretty good,'' Dunshee said. "I knew if I went out there and ran my race -- just didn't fall out of the blocks or false start -- I had an OK chance but it was my first time in the finals of the 100 so anything can happen.''
Dunshee was competing in his second state meet, making it to state as a freshman before spending his sophomore year at St. Martin's Academy in Fort Scott to play rugby.
"I'm definitely a lot faster than I was so I knew I had a better chance of doing something good,'' Dunshee said. "I think I was a lot more confident. This felt great.''
By Todd Fertig
TopSports.news
A year ago, Cair Paravel Latin made history as the smallest school in the state with a girls soccer team reached the Class 4-1A Final Four.
Due in part to an unfortunate draw, the Lions came one game short of matching that feat Tuesday, losing to defending state champion Bishop Miege 6-1 at Bettis Sports Complex.
Cair Paravel junior Katherine Keys (left) celebrates the Lions' lone goal with teammate Zahra Friess in Tuesday's 6-1 Class 4A-1A quarterfinal soccer loss to Biship Miege. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Cair Paravel sophomore Zahra Friess (3) races towards the ball in Tuesday's 6-1 Class 4A-1A state quarterfinal loss to Bishop Miege. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Bishop Miege towers over the 4-1A classification, winning every state championship since Hayden claimed the title in 2015. For Cair Paravel, finishing with the best record in the East Regional turned out to be a curse. It gave the Lions the top seed but forced them to face Miege in the quarterfinals.
Miege entered the playoffs with a record of just 9-7. But those losses were to 5A powerhouses St. James Academy and St. Thomas Aquinas and four 6A schools. Due to the number of losses they took during the regular season, the Stags entered the playoffs as the sixth seed.
“We were really hoping that we wouldn’t have to play them until state,” said Katherine Keys, who recorded the Lions’ lone goal 10 minutes into the second half. “But that’s how the cookie crumbled, I guess. We knew that was going to be a tough opponent and they proved themselves to be so.
“We were hopeful going into the game. We knew we were a good team, and we knew we had a chance. (Coach Doug) Woolery kept telling us that we’re the strongest team he’s ever coached, so we were hopeful.”
“Credit goes to them. Their level of play is pretty advanced,” Woolery said. “It makes sense when you have the toughest schedule in the state.”
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Shawnee Heights senior Alex Valdivia and Topeka West junior Myles Alonzo are used to battling it out on the golf course, and Tuesday's Class 5A state tournament at McPherson was no exception.
Topeka West junior Myles Alonzo posted a 36-hole total of 143 to tie for 12th place in the Class 5A state golf tournament. [File photo/TSN]
Shawnee Heights senior Alex Valdivia tied for 12th place in the Class 5A state golf tournament with a 36-hole total of 143. [File photo/TSN]
Valdivia and Alonzo finished the state tournament with identical 36-hole scores of 143, tying for 12th place to earn state medals at the Turkey Creek Golf Course.
Valdivia carded a 70 Tuesday after an opening-round 73 while Alonzo followed his first-round 71 with a 72.
Bulldawgs finish fifth in 3A
Rossville posted a fifth-place finish in the Class 3A state tournament at Dodge City's Mariah Hills, carding a four-man two-day score of 671.
Sophomore Jonathan Hart finished fifth individually to lead the Bulldawgs, shooting a 71 on Tuesday after a first-round 79 to finish at 150.
Hart was followed by freshman Jack Donovan, who tied for 16th place with a 157 (80-77), while senior Kyser Lundin finished at 181 (88-93), freshman Paxton Willett at 183 (90-93), senior Manuel VanderPutten at 201 (102-99) and senior Aiden Baumchen at 216 (102-114)
Silver Lake junior Bryce Badsky earned his third 3A state medal, tying Donovan for 16th place at 157 (79-78).
Santa Fe Trail junior Lane Workman won the 3A state title by four strokes, posting a 36-hole total of 142 (72-70).
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
NOTE: Top.Sports.news will compile a weekly track and field honor roll for Shawnee County high schools throughout the 2023 season. Coaches are asked to email updated times and marks or any corrections to Rick Peterson at
BOYS
100 METERS
Richardson, Highland Park 10.49
Smith, Shawnee Heights 10.74
Dunshee, Hayden 10.76
Peoples, Topeka High 10.96
Merritt, Seaman 10.99
200 METERS
Richardson, Highland Park 21.5
Murph, Topeka High 22.16
Cochran, Seaman 22.34
Smith, Shawnee Heights 22.35
Peoples, Topeka High 22.53
Hayden sophomore Jensen Schrickel is the Shawnee County leader in the 400-meter dash. [Photo by Sarah Carson/Special to TSN]
400 METERS
Schrickel, Hayden 49.83
Roeder, Cair Paravel 50.70
Roney, Washburn Rural 51.72
Benz, Shawnee Heights 51.89
Chooncharoen, Washburn Rural 51.96
800 METERS
Esquibel, Shawnee Heights 1:59.55
Moore, Seaman 2:00.12
Johnson, Washburn Rural 2:00.55
Anderson, Seaman 2:01.30
Stuke, Seaman 2:01.5
Topeka West senior Lenny Njoroge (left) and Shawnee Heights junior Jackson Esquibel are the Shawnee County leaders in the 800, 1,600 and 3,200-meter runs. [Photo by Sarah Carson/Special to TSN]
1,600 METERS
Njoroge, Topeka West 4:17.71
Esquibel, Shawnee Heights 4:20.46
Dial, Washburn Rural 4:33.13
Johnson, Washburn Rural 4:33.46
Jowers, Seaman 4:43.66
3,200 METERS
Njoroge, Topeka West 9:20.08
Esquibel, Shawnee Heights 9:25.23
Johnson, Washburn Rural 9:51.59
Dial, Washburn Rural 9:51.97
Jowers, Seaman 10:05.32
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Hayden sits in fifth place after Monday's opening round of the Class 4A boys golf tournament at Quail Creek Golf Course in Winfield, earning a team berth for Tuesday's final round.
The Wildcats finished the first round with a four-man score of 339 to advance to the second round.
Hayden's golf team advanced to the final round of the Class 4A state tournament with a fifth-place standing after Monday's opening round. [Submitted photo]
Sophomore Tagen Rodriguez led Hayden with a first-round 82, followed by sophomore James Kuta with an 84, senior Garrett Borjon with an 89, sophomore Nick Gorman and senior Noah Haverkamp with 90s and sophomore Colin Scott with a 98.
Bulldawgs fifth in 3A team race
Rossville earned a team berth for Tuesday's final round in the Class 3A state tournament at Dodge City's Maiah Hills, currently sitting in fifth place with a four-man score of 337.
Sophomore Jonathan Hart led the Bulldawgs with a first-round 79, followed by freshman Jack Donovan with an 80, senior Kyser Lundin with an 88, freshman Paxton Willett with a 90 and seniors Aiden Baumchen and Manuel VanderPutten with a 102.
Silver Lake junior Bryce Badsky, a two-time state medalist shot a 79 to advance to Tuesday's final round as an individual.
Washburn Rural senior Bryan Tyrell (above) and junior teammate Hayden Glynn advanced to the final round of the Class 6A state tournament. [File photo/TSN]
Rural's Glynn, Tyrell advance in 6A
Junior Hayden Glynn and senior Bryan Tyrell earned invididual berths for the final 18 holes of competition in the Class 6A state tournament at Newton's Sand Creek Station.
Washburn Rural fell short of advancing as a team to Tuesday's round but Glynn shot a 77 and Tyrell a 79 to earn two of the 18 individual spots.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Hayden senior Jake Muller and junior Finn Dunshee both earned a pair of gold medals to lead the way as Hayden's boys track and field team qualified in eight events for next week's state meet at Wichita in Friday's Class 4A regional at Shawnee Mission North.
Hayden junior Finn Dunshee (right) won the 100-meter dash title in Friday's Class 4A regional and also ran on the Wildcats' winning 4x100 relay. [File photo/TSN]
Hayden senior Jake Muller won a regional title in the 300 hurdles and also ran on the Wildcats' winning 4x100 relay Friday at Shawnee Mission North. [File photo/TSN]
Dunshee won the boys 100-meter dash in 10.98 seconds and Muller won the 300 hurdles in 38.78 seconds while both also teamed with sophomores Liam Stegman and Jensen Schrickel to win the 4x100 relay in 43.00.
Stegman, Muller, Schrickel and Dunshee also qualified for state with a second-place regional finish in the 4x400 relay (3:23.92) while Muller also qualified in the 110 high hurdles with a third-place regional finish (16.01) and Shrickel finished third in the 400 dash (49.83).
Senior Joe Otting qualiied for state in a pair of field events, placing second in the discus at 148 feet, 3 inches and fourth in the javelin (173-6).
Hayden junior Natalie Hillebert won a Class 4A regional title on Friday in the 400-meter dash. [File photo/TSN]
Hayden's girls also picked up a regional victory, with junior Natalie Hillibert winning the girls 400 in 58.15 seconds.
By Todd Fertig
TopSports.news
The Cair Paravel Latin girls soccer team took a big first step toward a return to the Class 4-1A state tournament by beating Eudora 4-0 Thursday at Bettis Sports Complex to claim a regional championship.
Cair Paravel sophomore Zahra Friess (3) is congratulated by teammates Trinity Childs (12) and Hemi Duehring (18) after scorinng the first goal in Thursday's 4-0 regional win over Eudora. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Cair Paravel junior Katherine Keys scored a goal for the Lions in Thursday's 4-0 Class 4A-1A regional win over Eudora. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Cair Paravel soccer poses for a team pictue after Thursday's Class 4A-1A regional win over Eudora. [Photo by Todd Fertig/TSN]
Awarded a bye for compiling the best record in the 4-1A East regional, the Lions had to win just one game to advance to next week’s quarterfinals. The Lions took down the Cardinals with quick striking offense and a solid defensive effort.
“We maybe started off a little slower than I would like,” Cair Paravel coach Doug Woolery said “Maybe (Eudora) was playing tough and made us look slower. But once we hit a groove, we started combining more. I thought we played better with possession and passing and movement in the second half.”
Sophomore Zahra Friess broke the ice at the 23:11 mark of the first half, scoring off a long pass. Then it was freshman KellyAnn Chada who contributed on the Lions’ three remaining goals. She recorded two assists on centering passes from the right wing in the first half. Midway through the second half she weaved through the Cardinal defense for an insurance goal.
“She could probably play anywhere on the field,” Woolery said of Chada. “She really helps us out on the wing. She’s got such great ball control, the ability to either take the shot or cross the ball in. She’s continually improving and seeking to improve.”
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Junior Rich Helmbold shot a 78 to win the individual championship as Cair Paravel Latin earned a 29-stroke victory in the team race in Monday's Class 2A boys golf regional at Fort Scott's Woodland Hills Golf Course.
Cair Paravel Latin golf is headed to the Class 2A state tournament at Hesston next week after winning a regional championship by 29 strokes. [Submitted photo]
All of the Lions' top four players finished in the top eight Monday, with junior Simon Everhart placing sixth with an 89, sophomore Jase Pavlik seventh with an 90 and freshman Caleb Cleverdon eighth with a 93.
Cair Paravel finished with a four-man score of 350 while St. Marys Colgan finished second at 379 and Lyndon third at 396.
Cair Paravel's players competed for Topeka High during the regular season as part of a co-op agreement before competing in 2A in postseason.
The Lions will compete in the state tournament next Monday and Tuesday in Hesston at the Hesston Golf Course.
Washburn Rural golf earned a team berth for next week's Class 6A state tournament in Newton with a runnerup team finish in Monday's regional at Manhattan. [Twitter/Washburn Rural golf]
Rural earns 6A berth with runnerup finish
Washburn Rural placed all of its top four players in the top 10 in Monday's Class 6A regional tournament at Manhattan Country Club en route to a second-place team finish and a berth in next week's state tournament at Newton.
Rural senior Bryan Tyrell tied for fourth with a 79 to lead the Junior Blues while senior Tyler Baumchen was a stroke back with an 80, tying for seventh individually.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Topeka West senior twin brothers Ian and Miles Cusick advanced to the Class 5A tennis doubles semifinals for the second straight season Friday in Arkansas City, continuing their bid for a state title repeat.
Topeka West seniors Ian Cusick (left) and Miles Cusick advanced to the Class 5A state doubles semifinals Friday at Arkansas City. [File photo/TSN]
The Cusicks posted 6-0, 6-2 and 6-1, 6-3 victories in their two matches on Friday and will face Newton seniors Otis Musser and Justin Franz in Saturday morning's semifinals.
Topeka West, which finished second as a team in the 2022 state meet, advanced its entire team to Saturday's final day of the state tournament.
West senior Carter Cool and junior James Maag went 3-1 in singles and juniors Caden McGee and Caleb Weybrew went 3-1 in doubles and all of the Chargers can still finish as high as fifth place on Saturday.
State competition will continue at 9 a.m. Saturday.
Washburn Rural senior Mason Casebeer went 3-1 on Friday to clinch a state singles medal in the Class 6A state tournament at Kossover Tennis Center. [File photo/TSN]
CLASS 6A
Washburn Rural senior standout Mason Casebeer and the doubles team of senior Kiefer Von Lintel and freshman Dylan Willingham clinched Class 6A state medals Friday at Kossover Tennis Center.
Casebeer, a regional champion, dropped his first match of the day but bounced back with 9-0 and 9-2 wins to advance to Saturday's competition.
Von Lintel and Willingham went 3-1 Friday and advanced with a 9-7 win in their final Friday match.
Both Casebeer, a former state doubles medalist, and Von Lintel and Willingham can still finish as high as fifth place in 6A.
Rural junior singles player Lawson Lobatos and the doubles team of junior Dylan Dodge and freshman Keegan Knudtson were eliminated from competition on Friday.
Saturday's competition will begin at 9 a.m.
Hayden senior Gus Glotzbach and junior Joseph Luke have clinched state doubles medals in the Class 4A state tournament at Pratt. [File photo/TSN]
CLASS 4A
Hayden's doubles team of senior Gus Glotzbach and junior Joseph Luke advanced to Saturday's competition in the Class 4A state tournament at Pratt.
Regional champions Glotzbach and Luke won their first match of the day before dropping a 6-4, 7-6 quarterfinal decision to Parsons.
Glotzbach has clinched a 4A state medal for the third straight season while Luke has earned a state medal for the second straight season.
Hayden singles players Chris Hayes, a senior, and sophomore Evan George were eliminated from state on Friday.
State competition will resume at 9 a.m. on Saturday.
CLASS 3A-1A
Cair Paravel Latin freshman Drew Fay, making the Lions' first-ever appearance in state tennis, went 2-2 in singles on Friday in Wichita but was eliminated from competition with a tough 9-7 loss in his final match.
