Highland Park Scots
By VINCE LOVERGINE
TopSports.news
Friday's Highland Park Meadowlark Conference football game against Kansas City-Schlagle ended with 1:17 left in the third quarter due to a series of on-field fights at Hummer Sports Park.
Highland Park was in control 36-18 at the time of the altercation, but now it will be up to the Kansas State High School Activities Association to determine whether that score will stand as a final and if any sanctions will be levied against the Scots and Stallions.
Highland Park junior G'Honi Montgomery (35) had his helmet yanked off during Friday's game-ending altercation with KC-Schlagle. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Highland Park coach Jermaine Monore said he didn’t want something like Friday's fight to happen.
During the Scots' postgame huddle, he told his team, ‘We will be better from this and we’re not that type of program.’ ”
He went on to say that Friday is a learning lesson when speaking with TopSports.news.
Friday's Highland Park-Schlagle game ended due to an altercation late in the third quarter with the Scots leading 36-18. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
“We actually practice this in practice… I teach my players that if a player gets into a scuffle, 'You go in, grab your player, turn your back and if the other team is throwing blows, they’re punching you in the back of the shoulder pads and get them out of the situation. That just got out of control really fast,” Monroe said.
Highland Park kicked off the double-header at Hummer Sports Park on Friday with a conference tilt against Schlagle.
The Scots jumped out to an early lead in the first quarter when senior quarterback Dontrail Fox hooked up with junior Joseph Kingcannon on a 30-yard touchdown, to lead 6-0 after a failed two-point conversion.
Shortly after, Kingcannon would intercept Schlagle quarterback Josiah Evans late in the first quarter but nothing came of that drive for the Scots.
Highland Park struggled to get anything going on offense with several penalties and fumbling snaps in the second quarter, but the defense held their own to keep it 6-0 most of the way through.
The Stallions would capitalize on a turnover on downs from Highland Park on a six-play drive, Evans connected with senior Bre’Naj Price for six yards to make it 6-6 with 2:37 left before the half.
Highland Park junior JoJo Kingcannon had a huge night in Friday's Highland Park-Schlagle game, having a hand in fivHighland Park junior JoJo Kingcannon had a huge night in Friday's Highland Park-Schlagle game. having a hand in five Scot touchdowns. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Highland Park would then regain the lead on a Fox to Kingcannon 60-yard touchdown snag, 12-6 after another failed two-point try.
The Scots tried an onside kick but the ball went out of bounds which moved Schlagle into their territory on the penalty. Soon after, senior Cincerce Lewis went straight up the gut for a one-yard score, tying the game 12-12 with 11 seconds before halftime.
The Scots could’ve kneeled it and headed to the locker room but Monroe was aggressive and it paid off.
Starting at the Scots' 45-yard line, senior Tremaine Savage came up huge with a 20-yard catch to set Hi Park up at its own 35. Two plays later, a roughing the passer penalty was called to move Highland Park to the 20-yard line with .2 seconds left on the clock.
The Scots ran the Wildcat to Kingcannon who lobbed it to Savage for the 20-yard touchdown. Highland Park would take the lead 18-12 at the break.
“We’re one of the powerhouses of the league and if we go into half tied, that’s a win for them,” Monroe said. “We have to have the upper hand walking into that locker room. Otherwise, we’re going to be flat in that locker room… we live by the sword, die by the sword and it worked out for us.”
Fox was 7-12 in that first half with 154 yards and one touchdown, Kingcanonn had 90 yards alone on two catches before the break, but the run game struggled mightily, totaling just eight yards on the ground.
The Scots made a statement to begin the second half as Kingcannon returned the kickoff 94 yards to the house and the Scots led 24-12 14 seconds into the third quarter.
“JoJo is a weapon I can move to multiple different spots and if you put too much focus on him, that’s where you have G’Honi (Montgomery). Tremaine comes in, we got plenty of players that can make big plays,” Monroe said.
Then Highland Park found their groove there after, Montgomery picked off Evans which led to another Kingcannon touchdown, 16 yards on the ground to make it 30-12.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
THURSDAY'S GAME
(Kickoff at 7 p.m.)
Zane Smith, Topeka High
WICHITA SOUTHEAST (1-1) at TOPEKA HIGH (2-0)
Topeka High will be playing its second Thursday night game in the first three weeks of the season and will be looking to start the season 3-0 after beginnning the 2024 season 4-0. The Trojans are coming off a 28-20 come-from-behind road win over Wichita Heights while Wichita Southeast lost 33-6 to Bishop Carroll last week. Senior quarterback Zane Smith is off to a hot start this fall for Topeka High while sophomore running back Ricardo Dowd is in the midst of a breakout season.
FRIDAY'S GAMES
(Highland Park-KC Schlagle kickoff at 4 p.m.)
(All other kickoffs at 7 p.m.)
G'Honi Montgomery, Highland Park
KC-SCHLAGLE (1-1, 1-0) vs. HIGHLAND PARK (2-0, 2-0 Meadowlark)
At Hummer Sports Park
The undefeated Scots will play the first game of a city doubleheader at Hummer Sports Park, kicking off at 4 p.m. Highland Park has yet to be tested thus far, rolling to Meadowlark Conference wins over Kansas City-Wyandotte and last week's 44-16 victory over KC-Sumner. Schlagle is coming off a 44-0 win over Wyandotte last week. Scot junior JoJo Kingcannon has rushed for 247 yards on just nine carries while junior G'Honi Montgomery has rushed for 187 yards on 26 carries. Montgomery scored three touchdowns last week, including a pair of kickoff returns for TDs.
SEAMAN (0-2, 0-1) vs. TOPEKA WEST (0-2, 0-2)
At Hummer Sports Park
Seaman and Topeka West will play the second game of Friday's twinbill at Hummer Sports Park, with the Vikings and Chargers both looking for their first victories in the United Kansas Conference contest. Seaman is coming off a 41-21 non-league loss to Shawnee Mission East while Topeka West dropped a 76-35 UKC decision to Shawneee Heights. Seaman junior quarterback Cale Ketter has completed 41 of 66 passes for 348 yards and two TDs while sophomore Quentin Moravec has carried the ball 40 times for 227 yards and four scores. West sophomore quarterback Josiah Wilkie completed 19 of 46 passes for 323 yards and three TDs against Shawnee Heights. Jayden Lindsay accounted for 155 yards receiving while Gad Munganga added 125 yards receiving.
Kellan Roth, Washburn Rural
PLATTE COUNTY, MO. (3-0) at WASHBURN RURAL (2-0)
Washburn Rural is coming off a thrilling 31-30 come-from-behind non-league win over Blue Valley last Friday while Platte County rolled to a 46-7 win over Fort Osage, Mo. The Pirates went 14-0 and captured a Missouri state title in 2024 and have outscored their first three opponents by a 156-37 margin this season. Rural quarterback John Hoytal threw for four TDs last week, including three to senior Kellan Roth. Junior Ryan Austin kicked a 31-yard field goal and the game-winning extra point against Blue Valley.
Canann Mitchell, Rossville
NEMAHA CENTRAL (2-0, 1-0) at ROSSVILLE (2-0, 2-0)
Rossville pulled out its second straight nail-biting Big East League win last Friday, edging St. Marys, 40-34, while Nemaha Central topped Big East League foe Silver Lake, 42-7. Rossville senior quarterback Canann Mitchell has completed 26 of 45 passes for 295 yards and three touchdowns and carried the ball 33 times for 219 yards and three TDs. Senior Cameron Miller has caught 11 passes for 152 yards and two TDs.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Topeka High tennis came up short in its three Topeka High Invitational championship matches Wednesday at Kossover Tennis Center en route to a third-place team finish.
Topeka High senior Madeline Deters finished second in No. 1 singles in Wednesday's Topeka High Invitational. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Hailey Caryl (left) celebrates Topeka High's No. 1 doubles semifinal victory with teammate Ava Ritter in Wednesday's Topeka High Invitational. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
And although Trojan coach Duane Pomeroy would have loved for his team to claim a title or two or three, he had zero complaints about High's performance.
"I was really happy with how we worked today,'' Pomeroy said. "All of them did a great job.''
Topeka High's Madeline Deters dropped an 8-5 decision to Emporia's Kali Keough in the No. 1 singles final, while High's Hailey Caryl and Ava Ritter also dropped a close match in the No. 1 doubles final, with Emporia's Peyton Chanlee and Kinsley Hines prevailing, 8-6.
Topeka High's No. 2 doubles team of Astra Fizell (left) and Sasha Gotru finished second in Wednesday's Topeka High Invitational. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
The Trojans' No. 2 doubles team of Sasha Gotru and Astra Fizell also advanced to the championship match, falling 8-2 to Emporia's Alexa Tovar and Chelsea Mendez.
"It's amazing that we've got Sasha, that had never played tennis before the first day of practice,'' Pomeroy said.
Caryl and Ritter rallied from a 7-2 deficit to win their semifinal match over Junction City in a tiebreaker.
"My one doubles, the way they came back was the best they've ever played, that five-game stretch plus the tiebreaker, each game they just got more and more confident,'' Pomeroy said.
Deters showed her mettle in the singles final, rallying from 4-1 and 7-3 deficits to challenge Keough late.
By JUSTIN BURKHARDT
TopSports.news
The Highland Park Fighting Scots showcased their speed against the Sabres of Kansas City-Sumner Friday night in a 44-16 Meadowlark Conference win at Hummer Sports Park, although they would start the game off slow missing starting quarterback Dontrail Fox, who had to sit out the first quarter.
Junior G'Honi Montgomery returned two kickoffs for touchdowns and scored three TDs on the night in Friday's 44-16 Highland Park win over KC-Sumner. [File photo/TSN]
Fox's early absence allowed junior JoJo Kingcannon the start at QB and although Kingcannon would not throw a pass he would do his work with his feet as the Scots would use their running game to go up early 6-0 with a 3-yard touchdown run by junior G’Honi Montgomery.
Sumner would drive the ball down to the 1-yard line where the Scots would force a turnover and take over the ball but the Scots would hand off to Montgomery in the end zone and the Sumner defense would bottle him up and force a Scot safety and get itself on the board as the first quarter would come to an end with the Scots up 6-2.
The rest of the game would be all Scots, as Fox would come back in at quarterback and Kingcannon would move to his normal position and, boy would Kingcannon shine, as he would break free for a 88-yard touchdown run and Montgomery would punch it in for the 2-point conversion.
“I have to give a lot of credit to my teammates, they block for me and that allows me to get into open space and run,'' Kingcannon said. "I know when I am in the open field that no one can catch me.”
Kingcannon would finish the night with 145 rushing yards and 90 receiving yards and two touchdowns.
The Scots would go into halftime up, 20-2.
The third quarter would see Sumner finally find the end zone as QB Michael Knight would find Jaxon Davis for a 25- yard touchdown pass.
Montgomery would return the following kickoff 85 yards to the house to put the Scots up 26-8.
Sumner would take the ball over at 5-yard line and the Sabers would have a bad snap giving them a safety, which would bring an end to the third quarter with the Scots up 28-8.
Sumner would strike first in the fourth as Knight would burst free for a 15-yard TD run and convert the 2-point conversion to make the score 28-16.
Montgomery would then strike again with a 70-yard kickoff return to the house to give the Scots a commanding 36-16 lead.
“He is one of those guys that can score in seconds anytime he gets the ball in his hands, he can make big things happen,” Highland Park coach Jermaine Monroe said.
The Scots would then force a turnover and Fox would break free for a 71-yard touchdown run and Kingcannon would run it in to convert the 2-point conversion.
Monroe on Kingcannon: “He reminds me of fformer Scot now Vanderbilt star Trey Richardson. It is a different flavor. He is the type of kid that I can move into multiple positions and he can do a lot of things. He can receive the ball, run the ball and pass the ball, he can block and I can move him around anywhere on the field and he will perform at a high level.''
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
FRIDAY'S GAMES
(All kickoffs at 7 p.m.)
Shawnee Heights senior quarterback Aiden Scott threw for 428 yards and four touchdowns in last Friday's 51-41 loss to Washburn Rural. [File photo/TSN]
Topeka West junior Damon Webb is one of the area's top running backs. [File photo/TSN]
TOPEKA WEST (0-1, 0-1 UKC) at SHAWNEE HEIGHTS (0-1, 0-0 UKC)
Topeka West opened its season with a home 47-12 United Kansas Conference loss to De Soto while Shawnee Heights dropped a 51-41 home non-league decision to city rival Washburn Rural. Heights senior quarterback Aiden Scott completed 30 of 52 passes for 428 yards and four touchdowns against Rural while senior David Wakes carried the ball 21 times for 67 yards, senior Tyren Parker caught seven passes for 172 yards and two TDs and senior AJ Gallegos caught 10 passes for 113 yards. Top players for Topeka West include senior lineman Logan Hunninghake, senior wide receiver Gad Munganga and junior running back Damon Webb.
Junior running back G'Honi Montgomery rushed for 113 yards in Highland Park's 32-6 win at KC-Wyandotte last Friday. [File photo/TSN]
KC-SUMNER (0-1, 0-1 Meadowlark) vs. HIGHLAND PARK (1-0, 1-0 Meadowlark)
At Hummer Sports Park
Highland Park opened its quest for a fourth straight winning season with a 32-6 Meadowlark Conference road win at Kansas City-Wyandotte while KC-Sumner is coming off a 62-20 Meadowlark loss to KC-Washington. Highland Park junior running back G'Honi Montgomery rushed for 113 yards on 12 carries while junior JoJo Kingcannon had 103 yards on just four attempts and senior quarterback Dontrail Fox threw for a TD. Defensively junior Rayshon Pollard had seven tackles with two sacks.
OSAGE CITY (1-0, 0-0 Flint Hills) vs. CAIR PARAVEL LATIN (1-0, 1-0 Flint Hills)
At Yager Stadium, Washburn University
Cair Paravel rolled to a 60-14 Flint Hills League win over West Franklin in its 2025 opener at Washburn's Yager Stadium while Osage City opened with a 41-13 non-league win over Olpe. The Lions opened up a 20-0 first-quarter lead, led 26-8 at halftime and 52-8 at the start of the fourth quarter. Cair Paravel is one win away from equaling its win total in a 2-7 season last fall in its first season in the 11-man ranks.
SM EAST (1-0) at SEAMAN (0-1)
Seaman dropped a 33-22 United Kansas Conference home decision to Piper in its 2025 season-opener and will go outside league play to host Class 6A Shawnee Mission East Friday night. The Lancers are 1-0 after a 31-28 win over Olathe Northwest. Seaman junior quarterback Cale Ketter completed 30 of 42 passes for 192 yards against Piper while sophomore Quentin Moravec rushed for 112 yards and three touchdowns on 18 carries and junior Josh Brown caught 10 passes for 74 yards.
Junior Jadyn Baum (26) rushed for 84 yards and scored two touchdowns in Washburn Rural's 51-41 season-opening win over Shawnee Heights. [File photo/TSN]
BLUE VALLEY (1-0) at WASHBURN RURAL (1-0)
Washburn Rural outlasted city rival Shawnee Heights 51-41 at Heights last week while Blue Valley opened with a 28-21 win over Blue Valley Southwest. Rural senior quarterback John Hoytal completed 11 of 20 passes for 201 yards and a pair of touchdowns while senior TJ Minikwu was 28 for 77 yards rushing and junior Jadyn Baum picked up a game-high 84 yards on 12 attempts. Minikwu and Baum scored two TDs apiece, while senior Nate Selm also had two TDs, including a 47-yard return of an onsides kick attempt.
By TODD FERTIG
TopSports.news
The Cair Paravel Latin volleyball team took down two Topeka public school teams and then measured itself against the defending Class 2A champion Thursday at the Topeka West quadrangular.
Cair Paravel volleyball celebrates its victory over Topeka West in Thursday's Topeka West volleyball quadrangular. [Photo by Todd Fertig/TSN]
Cair Paravel junior Karsyn Hastert prepares to spike the ball in Thursday's Topeka West volleyball quadrangular. [Photo by Todd Fertig/TSN]
Maranatha Christian Academy from Shawnee, winners of the 2A title a year ago, swept through the field Thursday night, never giving up more than 16 points in a game.
Cair Paravel won what wound up being the tightest battle of the evening in their opening match with Topeka West. The Lions edged the Chargers, 25-19, 25-22.
“We’re a young team. We start two freshmen,” Cair Paravel coach Craig Congdon said. “I saw some girls grow in ways that I haven’t seen them play. I saw them compete. And it’s fun playing against local teams. Highland Park has really improved. They’re coming out with a lot more fire than in past years.”
Coach Isaach Johnson talks to his Highland Park volleyball team during Thursday's Topeka West quadrangular. [Photo by Todd Fertig/TSN]
Highland Park did not win a game, but it received a lot of praise for how competitive the Scots were in each match.
“Having more competitive teams to play against really helps us to be able to outshine the other teams in (the Meadowlark) League, which is our first goal,” said second-year coach Isaach Johnson. “Ultimately, we don’t want Highland Park to just stay at the same level forever. For the last two years, we’ve tried to continue to include more competitive teams (on the schedule). And it’s already shown that, whereas two years ago against a team like Topeka West where Highland Park was losing 25-0, now we’re actually having competitive games. So, this is a great way for us to be prepared against high level of play.”
Topeka West defeated Highland Park in their final match of the evening, sending the Chargers home on a high note.
Topeka West junior Sydney VanDyke serves the ball during Thursday's Topeka West quadrangular. [Photo by Todd Fertig/TSN]
“This is always a very fun home quad for us to kick off on,” said Charger coach Alyx Nash. “I’m kind of sad the way we competed tonight. That was definitely not the team that you will usually see in purple and the way we are expecting to play this year. But we had a lot of good competition tonight and saw some good things to build on.”
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Rossville volleyball stretched its winning streak to seven matches with a dominating performance in Saturday's Rossville Invitational, with the Bulldawgs posting five straight-set victories to claim the tournament championship.
Rossville volleyball is now 7-0 on the 2025 season after winning its invitational tournament on Saturday with a 5-0 day. [Rossville volleyball]
Rossville, which was ranked No. 10 in the Kansas Volleyball Association Class 2A preseason state rankings, opened its day with a 25-11, 25-21 win over Waverly, followed by a 25-14, 25-23 win over Baldwin, a 25-20, 25-17 victory over Iola and a 25-19, 25-15 win over Iola before winning the tournament title with a 25-19, 25-19 win over Burlington.
Dani Dodge's Bulldawgs got a dominating performance at the net from junior Nora Burdiek, who registered double-digit kills in all five matches.
Burdiek had 11 kills against Waverly, 15 against Baldwin, 14 versus Iola, 12 against Wellsville and 12 kills in the Bulldawgs' final match win over Burlington.
Burdiek now has 90 kills on the season for the 7-0 Bulldawgs after posting 26 kills in a pair of Big East League wins over Sabetha earlier in the week.
Rossville also got a big day from freshman setter Kenna Perine on Saturday, with Perine contributing 117 assists in her five matches.
Perine registered 27 assists against Waverly, 21 against Baldwin, 24 against Iola, 21 against Wellsville and 24 against Burlington.
Perine had a total of 35 assists in her high school debut on Tuesday against Sabetha and now has 152 assists on the year.
Junior G'Honi Montgomery rushed for 113 yards on 12 carries in Friday's 32-6 Highland Park win at KC-Wyandotte. [File photo/TSN]
Scots roll to 32-6 season-opening win over Bulldawgs
Highland Park football began its quest for a fourth straight winning season Friday night with a 32-6 Meadowlark Conference road win over Kansas City-Wyandotte.
Scot junior G'Honi Montgomery rushed for 113 yards on just 12 attempts against Wyandotte while junior JoJo Kingcannon had 103 yards on just four carries.
Senior quarterback Dontrail Fox had 22 passing yards and a touchdown for Hi Park.
Defensively, junior Rayshon Pollard led the Scots with seven tackles while also recording a pair of sacks.
Highland Park will be at Hummer Park Friday to host KC-Sumner Academy in a Meadowlark Conference contest (7 p.m. kickoff).
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Topeka High soccer looks forward to every game it plays, but the Trojans get a little extra pep in their step when they get the opportunity to face a USD 501 rival, particularly now that the three 501 schools are in three separate leagues.
Topeka High senior Bruno Nunez (right), who had a goal and an assist, advances the ball in Monday's 8-0 win over Highland Park while Scot sophomore Ronaldo Mijares defends. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Topeka High got that chance to square off with a district rival on Monday at Hummer Sports Park and took full advantage, rolling to an 8-0 win over Highland Park in a game that was ended by the eight-goal spread rule with eight and a half minutes remaining.
"We just started playing Highland Park again and it's nice because these guys all know one another,'' said Topeka High coach Derek Snook, whose Trojans improved to 3-1. "They hang out in neighborhoods together and they might be neighbors as far as I know, but playing against a city team and playing well, that always helps.
"It helps with the confidence and I think it helps with community camaraderie as well because no matter how fierce it is on the field, it's still family at times.''
Topeka High got the only goal it would need at the 30:41 mark of the opening half on a shot by senior Noah Storrer and added first-half goals from junior John Martinez, freshman Emyr Vargas on a penalty kick and senior Neri Diaz-Mayorga to take a commanding 4-0 advantage at the break.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
(All kickoffs at 7 p.m.)
THURSDAY'S GAME
Jason Filbeck begins his second season at Topeka High Thursday night after leading the Trojans to a 4-5 mark last fall. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
WICHITA WEST vs. TOPEKA HIGH
At Hummer Sports Park
Jason Filbeck begins his second season as Topeka High's head coach after leading the Trojans to a 4-5 record last fall, including four straight wins to open the season. High returns a solid group of returners to build around this season , returning four starters on offense and eight on defense. Senior defensive back Malachi Murph has received All-Centennial League first-team recognition the past two seasons and was an All-Shawnee County Second 22 honoree last fall while quarterback Zane Smith, linebacker Rock Williamson and defensive lineman Trey Lutz received All-Centennial League and All-Shawnee County honorable mention in 2024. Wichita West posted a 2-7 record in 2024, including a 52-19 season-opening loss to Topeka High. The Trojans will be looking to snap a five-game losing streak Thursday night. Two of Topeka High's first three games are Thursday night contests, with the Trojans hosting Wichita Southeast on Sept. 18.
FRIDAY'S GAMES
Silver Lake senior Dayne Johnson (11) is a returning All-Shawnee County Top 22 pick. [File photo/TSN]
Rossville senior Conner Bush helped the Bulldawgs advance to the Class 1A semifinals last season. [File photo/TSN]
SILVER LAKE at ROSSVILLE
For the second straight season the Bulldawgs and Eagles will open the 2025 season with one of the state's most storied rivalries. Rossville is coming off an 8-4 record a year ago and advanced to the Class 1A state semifinals while Silver Lake went 7-3. The Eagles took a 33-26 overtime win over the Bulldawgs in last year's opener. Rossville returns TopSports.news All-Shawnee County Top 22 pick Conner Bush (senior running back/defensive back) and All-Shawnee County Second 22 honorees Jack Donovan (senior wide receiver/defensive back) and Andre Johnson (senior running back/linebacker) to build around. Silver Lake senior wide receiver/safety Dayne Johnson received TopSports.news All-Shawnee County Top 22 honors a year ago after catching 51 passes for 835 yards and nine touchdowns and picking off six passes on defense. Junior lineman Myles Fisher and sophomore lineman Kendrick Vande Velde received all-county honorable mention last season while senior safety Grady Bergmann received All-Big East honorable mention.
Washburn Rural senior running back TJ Minikwu earned All-Centennial League recognition last fall. [File photo/TSN]
Shawnee Heights senior quarterback Aiden Scott passed for more than 3,000 yards last fall. [File photo/TSN]
WASHBURN RURAL at SHAWNEE HEIGHTS
City rivals Washburn Rural and Shawnee Heights will both be looking to bounce back this fall after tough 2024 campaigns. Rural went 3-6 a year ago, including a 42-21 win over Shawnee Heights, while Heights went 2-7. Washburn Rural senior running back TJ Minikwu received first-team All-Centennial League recognition last season while senior quarterback John Hoytal, senior wide receiver Kellan Roth, senior defensive lineman Ayden Crosswhite and senior linebacker Jordy Heim were second-team all-league picks. Senior offensive lineman Jayden Cooper, junior running back Jadyn Baum, junior linebacker Brody Haas and senior linebacker Elijah Gaines received all-league honorable mention and Minikwu, Cooper, Baum, Hoytal, Roth, Crosswhite, Heim, Haas, Gaines, senior Sammy Brumley and senior Dylan Tajchman all received All-Shawnee County honorable mention. Leading the T-Bird returning cast are senior quarterback Aiden Scott and senior wide receiver/defensive back Tyren Parker, who both were TopSports.news All-Shawnee County Top 22 picks a year ago. Scott, who was named the county offensive newcomer of the year last fall, completed 190 of 317 passes for 3,102 yards and 32 touchdowns while Parker caught 50 passes for 946 yards with 11 touchdowns and was in on 48 tackles with a pair of interceptions. Scott has committed to Washburn and Parker to Kansas.
Senior linebacker Jude Krentz led Hayden with 132 tackles last fall, earning All-Shawnee County Top 22 honors. [File photo/TSN]
EUDORA at HAYDEN
Hayden went 11-2 and finished second in Class 3A for the second straight season last fall while Eudora is coming off a 4-5 season, including a 35-7 season-opening loss to the Wildcats. Headlining the list of Hayden returners are senior running back/defensive back Kade Mitchell and senior fullback/linebacker Jude Krentz, who were both TopSports.news All-Shawnee County Top 22 honors last season. Mitchell rushed for 808 yards on 104 carries last fall and scored 26 total touchdowns while Krentz led the Wildcats with 132 tackles (75 solo). Other top senior returners include quarterback Connor Hanika, center/defensive lineman Julian McGivern, running back/linebacker Jackson McGivern, tight end/linebacker Xander Blasing, offensive tackle Jackson Haas, offensive guard Andrew Rohr and linebacker Logan Saenz.
Topeka West junior Damon Webb is one of the area's top returning running backs. [File photo/TSN]
DE SOTO at TOPEKA WEST
At Hummer Sports Park
Trey Parker begins his third full season as head coach at Topeka West after taking over on an interim basis in 2022. The Chargers will be looking to take a step forward this fall after three straight 1-8 seasons. Topeka West faces a tough task Friday night, with De Soto coming off a 7-2 season last fall. De Soto took a 56-6 season-opening win over West last season. Top returners for Topeka West include senior lineman Logan Hunninghake, senior wide receiver Gad Munganga, junior lineman Dorian Rhoten Jr. and junior running back Damon Webb Jr. Webb carried the ball 17 times for 192 yards and three touchdowns in last fall's 32-20 United Kansas Conference win over Kansas City-Turner. The Chargers also return sophomore quarterback Josiah Wilke, who took over as West's starter the second half of the 2024 season.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Editor's note:TopSports.news will post preview stories for all 10 Shawnee County high school football programs over the coming days, leading into the opening games of the 2025 season on Sept. 4 and 5.
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The Highland Park football program that suffered through an eight-year, 65-game losing streak just a few years back doesn't exist anymore.
Jermaine Monroe's Highland Park football team will be aiming for its fourth straight winning season this fall after snapping an eight-year losing streak in 2022. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
After Jermaine Monroe's Scots finally tasted victory in 2022 on the way to a breakout 6-3 campaign, Highland Park has followed that up with 7-3 and 6-3 campaigns the past two seasons and is setting its sights on continuing its impressive turnaround this fall.
"I think we're a program now and I think people in the city look forward to us competing and being successful,'' Monroe said. "I think we are in a situation where guys step on the field expecting to win and they're stepping on the field expecting to compete.
"And one thing, especially with this group, I've never seen these guys quit and that's one thing that I can respect.''
Highland Park begins the 2025 season with a wealth of experience, including eight players who received All-Meadowlark Conference recognition a year ago.
Senior wide receiver/defensive back Tremaine Savage (5-foot-11, 170 pounds) earned first-team All-Meadowlark Conference honors for the second straight season in 2024 while junior offensive/defensive lineman Tayseaun Rouser (6-3, 250) and senior offensive/defensive lineman Andres Ochoa-Perez (5-10, 260) were also first-team all-conference picks.
Junior running back G'Honi Montgomery (5-10, 180) was a second-team All-Meadowlark pick a year ago while senior quarterback Dontrail Fox (6-3, 175), junior wide receiver/defensive back JoJo Kingcannon (5-10, 180), senior running back/defensive back Genesis Cooper (5-9, 185) and senior defensive end Philiciono Rice (6-1, 190) all received all-conference honorable mention.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Jadyn Baum, Washburn Rural
JADYN BAUM, Washburn Rural
A junior running back, Baum received All-Centennial League and TopSports.news All-Shawnee County honorable mention last fall and has the potential to be one of the top backs in the county this season. Baum was also a first-team all-county pick in wrestling last season, posting a third-place finish in the Class 6A state tournament at 190 pounds.
GRADY BERGMANN, Silver Lake
A senior, Bergmann will serve as a team captain for the Eagles this season and could be a starter on both sides of the ball for Silver Lake, which is coming off a 7-3 campaign. Bergmann received All-Big East honorable mention as a defensive back in 2024.
Xander Blasing, Hayden
XANDER BLASING, Hayden
A 6-foot-2, 225-pound senior tight end/linebacker, Blasing received All-Shawnee County Second 22 recognition last season as Hayden posted an 11-2 record and advanced to the Class 3A state championship game for the second straight season. Blasing was in on 67 tackles (39 solo) with nine tackles for loss, two interceptions, a fumble recovery and a touchdown.
TOBIAS BONURA, Cair Paravel Latin
Bonura will be looking to provide senior leadership for a Cair Paravel Latin team which is coming off a 2-7 2024 season in the Lions' first season in 11-man football (Class 1A). Bonura received All-Flint Hills second-team recognition at running back last fall and also received All-Shawnee County honorable mention.
Cameron Brian, Seaman
CAMERON BRIAN, Seaman
Brian, a 6-foot-1, 195-pound senior linebacker, was named to the All-Shawnee County Top 22 last season and named the county defensive newcomer of the year. Brian was also a first-team All-United Kansas Conference selection after registering 112 tackles with 10 tackles for loss for the 8-3 Vikings.
BROGEN BROWN, Seaman
A 6-1, 240 senior, Brown is a returning starter at offensive guard for Seaman, earning All-Shawnee County honorable mention last season after helping the Vikings go 8-3 and capture the United Kansas Conference title in 2024.
Conner Bush, Rossville
CONNER BUSH, Rossville
A 5-foot-11, 176-pound senior running back/defensive back, Bush received All-Shawnee County Top 22 recognition last fall after helping power the Bulldawgs to an 8-4 record and the Class 1A semifinals. Bush rushed for 690 yards and 10 touchdowns last season and also was in on 120 tackles with nine tackles for loss. Bush received All-Big East honorable mention.
JACK DONOVAN, Rossville
A senior wide receiver/defensive back, Donovan earned second-team All-Shawnee County recognition last season and earned All-Big East honorable mention after helping the Bulldawgs post an 8-4 record and reach the Class 1A semifinals. Donovan is also a standout for the Bulldawgs in both golf and basketball, earning first-team All-Shawnee County recognition in both sports.
MYLES FISHER, Silver Lake
Fisher, a junior, received All-Shawnee County honorable mention last season after helping Silver Lake post a 7-3 record in the Eagles' first season in the Big East League.
AJ GALLEGOS, Shawnee Heights
A 5-9, 150 senior wide receiver, Gallegos received All-Shawnee County Second 22 and All-United Kansas Conference second-team recognition last fall for the 2-7 T-Birds. Gallegos caught 51 passes for 842 yards and 10 touchdowns as a junior.
Connor Hanika, Hayden
CONNOR HANIKA, Hayden
Hanika, a 6-5, 190 senior, is in line to take over as the Wildcats' starting quarterback this fall after backing up Jett Wahlmeier last season. Hanika helped lead Hayden to the Class 3A state final as a sophomore after an injury to Wahlmeier and Hanika, who received all-county honorable mention, caught 24 passes for 267 yards and two touchdowns last season as Hayden went 11-2 and returned to the title game.
Jordy Heim, Washburn Rural
JORDY HEIM, Washburn Rural
A senior linebacker, Heim earned second-team All-Centennial League recognition for the 3-6 Junior Blues last season and received All-Shawnee County honorable mention.
John Hoytal, Washburn Rural
JOHN HOYTAL, Washburn Rural
Hoytal, a senior, took over as Washburn Rural's starting quarterback last fall, earning second-team All-Centennial League recognition and All-Shawnee County honorable mention. Hoytal was also a standout for the Rural basketball team, helping the Junior Blues reach the Class 6A state tournament.
ANDRE JOHNSON, Rossville
A 6-0, 211 senior fullback/linebacker, Johnson was a Second 22 All-Shawnee County selection last season after helping lead Rossville to an 8-4 record and the Class 1A state semifinals. Johnson received All-Big East honorable mention.
Dayne Johnson, Silver Lake
DAYNE JOHNSON, Silver Lake
Johnson, a 6-2, 175 senior wide receiver/defensive back, earned All-Shawnee County Top 22 recognition last season for the 7-3 Eagles and was a first-team All-Big East selection on both offense and defense. Johnson caught 51 passes for 835 yards and nine touchdowns in 2024 and also picked off six passes on defense.
Noah Kobuszewski, Seaman
NOAH KOBUSZEWSKI, Seaman
Kobuszewski, a 6-4, 240 senior tight end, received All-Shawnee County Second 22 recognition last fall for the 8-3 Vikings, who captured the United Kansas Conference championship. Kobuszewski compiled 325 receiving yards and a touchdown as a junior.
Jude Krentz, Hayden
JUDE KRENTZ, Hayden
A 5-foot-8, 180-pound senior linebacker, Krentz was an All-Shawnee County Top 22 pick last season after registering 132 tackles for the 11-2 Wildcats, who advanced to the Class 3A championship game for the second straight season. Krentz also rushed for 128 yards on 21 attempts.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
CARLOS ACOSTA-MARTINEZ, Topeka High
Acosta-Martinez, a junior, was a second-team All-Centennial League selection last season for the Trojans while also earning All-City honorable mention.
Draden Chooncharoen, Washburn Rural
DRADEN CHOONCHAROEN, Washburn Rural
A senior midfielder, Chooncharoen received first-team All-Centennial League honors last fall as the 15-3-3 Junior Blues won their 30th straight league title (outright or shared) on the way to a third-place finish in the Class 6A state tournament. Chooncharoen also received All-6A and All-City honorable mention and is a two-time 6A state track champion in the 4x400-meter relay.
Miles Cook, Washburn Rural
MILES COOK, Washburn Rural
Cook, a senior goalkeeper, helped 15-3-3 Washburn Rural win its 30th straight Centennial League championship (outright or shared) en route to a third-place finish in Class 6A. Cook received second-team Kansas High School Soccer Coaches Association All-6A and All-Centennial recognition as well as All-City honorable mention.
JUDAH CONGDON, Cair Paravel Latin
A junior, Congdon earned All-Class 4A-1A honorable mention from the Kansas High School Soccer Coaches Association last season and also received All-City honorable mention.
Valentin Del Real, Topeka West
VALENTIN DEL REAL, Topeka West
Del Real, a sophomore midfielder, had a big freshman season for the Chargers last fall as Topeka West posted a breakout 13-4-1 campaign. Del Real earned first-team All-City recognition and also was a first-team All-United Kansas Conference pick.
NERI DIAZ, Highland Park
Diaz, a senior midfielder, earned first-team All-City recognition for Highland Park in the 2024 season and was one of the top players in the Meadowlark Conference.
Juan Garcia, Shawnee Heights
JUAN GARCIA, Shawnee Heights
A senior, Garcia received All-Class 5A honorable mention from the Kansas High School Soccer Coaches Association last season while also receiving All-City honorable mention.
Diego Gonzalez-Talavera, Topeka West
DIEGO GONZALES-TALAVERA, Topeka West
A junior forward, Gonzales-Talavera helped lead the 13-4-1 Chargers to a breakout season in 2024, earning All-City and All-United Kansas Conference first-team recognition.
Camden Granado, Shawnee Heights
CAMDEN GRANADO, Shawnee Heights
Granado, a senior forward, received All-Class 5A honorable mention from the Kansas High School Soccer Coaches Association last season while also earning first-team All-City and All-United Kansas Conference recognition. Granado was also a standout kicker for the T-Bird football team last fall.
Mason Haas, Shawnee Heights
MASON HAAS, Shawnee Heights
Haas, a junior midfielder, received All-Class 5A honorable mention from the Kansas High School Soccer Coaches Association last season while also earning first-team All-City and All-United Kansas Conference recognition.
Brandon Hamiton, Washburn Rural
BRANDON HAMILTON, Washburn Rural
A senior defender, Hamilton received second-team All-Class 6A honors from the Kansas High School Soccer Coaches Association while also earning first-team All-City and All-Centennial League recognition for the 15-3-3 Junior Blues, who finished third in 6A after winning their 30th straight league championship (outright or shared).
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
When high school football practice for the 2025 season kicks off across Kansas on August 18, linemen will go back to laboring in relative obscurity.
But Tuesday's eighth annual Battle of the Bigs lineman challenge at Shawnee Heights was all about the men in the trenches.
Approximately 70 linemen representing six city and area high schools took part in the Battle of the Bigs, competing in nine non-contact drills/activities while vying for individual and team prizes.
"I love it,'' Shawnee Heights coach Jason Swift said of the annual event. "The most unappreciated players on a football team are the linemen and we do this solely to celebrate the linemen for everything they do.
"They play a sport that they don't get noticed in unless something bad happens, so tonight we want to make it where we get to watch them do great things. It's good for them for unity and coming together as a team and having fun.''
Washburn Rural senior Ayden Crosswhite won the individual championship with 224 points, while Blue Valley seniors Chase Blandi (212 points) and Samuel Kiles (207) finished second and third and Shawnee Heights seniors Royce Daniels and Blake Coffman tied for fourth place (206 points).
Blue Valley won the team title with 1,015 points while Washburn Rural was second (991) and Shawnee Heights third (987).
Top 10 individuals
1. Ayden Crosswhite, sr., Washburn Rural, 224 points
2. Chase Blandi, sr., Blue Valley, 212 points
3. Samuel Kiles, sr., Blue Valley, 207 points
4. (tie) Royce Daniels, sr., Shawnee Heights, 206 points
4. (tie) Blake Coffman, sr., Shawnee Heights, 206 points
6. Austin Jordan, jr., Eudora, 204 points
7. Marx Marx, sr., Eudora, 203 points
8. Chase Metz, jr., Blue Valley, 202 points
9. Steven Cantrell, jr., Washburn Rural, 201 points
10. Ethan Winter, sr., Eudora, 200 points
Team standings (top three)
1. Blue Valley, 1,015 points
2. Washburn Rural, 991 points
3. Shawnee Heights, 987 points.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
The top Shawnee County athletes from the class of 2025 are getting ready to embark on their college careers while offseason preparations for the 2025-2026 school year are well under way.
But it's also important to remember the accomplishments that made the '24-'25 campaign a special one for county athletes and teams.
Shawnee County schools claimed three state girls team championships and seven others came up just short over the past school year while three county standouts combined to claim five individual titles in three different sports.
While a case can always be made for any number of stories to sit at the top of the list, here's just one opinion on the Top 10 county girls prep stories of '24-'25.
Washburn Rural soccer celebrates its first Class 6A state championship after a 1-0 win over Mill Valley in PKs. [Photo by KSHSAA Covered]
1. HISTORIC BREAKTHROUGH -- Washburn Rural, already well established as one of the state's premier girls soccer programs, added the only missing piece from its impressive resume with its first Class 6A state championship on May 31 in Wichita. Making their 11th straight Final Four appearance, including four runnerup state finishes, the Junior Blues broke through with a 1-0 win over Mill Valley, taking the win with a 4-1 edge in penalty kicks as senior Madison Lemke came up huge in goal for Brian Hensyel's 19-2-0 Rural team.
Seaman junior Ryin Miller won three gold medals in the 2025 Class 5A state track meet at Wichita, giving her five wins in her career. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
2. MILLER TIMES --Seaman superstar runner Ryin Miller capped off her junior track and field season by sweeping Class 5A state championships in her three individual events, taking wins in the 3,200 (10:19.53), 1,600 (4:57.33) and 800-meter (2:11.14) runs at Wichita State. Miller's three wins in 2025 gave her five career titles and came on the heels of a banner cross country season last fall, which included the fastest five-kilometer run in Kansas history (16:32.62) and a runnerup finish in the 5A state meet (17:26.36) by the Viking four-sport athlete.
Hayden senior Ainzley Zulueta earned her third Class 4A singles title last fall, leading the Wildcats to their second team title in three seasons. [File photo/TSN]
3. ZULUETA, WILDCATS BACK ON TOP --After sitting out her junior high shool tennis season due to KSHSAA eligibility guidelines, Zulueta returned to the courts last fall and turned in a dominating postseason performance (eight straight 6-0, 6-0 wins in regional and state competition) en route to her third Class 4A singles championship in as many tries while leading Hayden to its second team title in three seasons by a 40-28 margin over McPherson. In addition to Zulueta's title, Christy Sheetz's Wildcats got a runnerup doubles finish from senior Emily Sheetz and freshman Sophia Wichman, a ninth-place singles finish from junior Grace Funk and an 11th-place doubles showing from juniors Izzy Glotzbach and Avery O'Bray.
Hayden's girls golf team captured its second straight Class 4A state championship last fall by 15 strokes over Wellington. [Submitted photo]
4. REPEAT FEAT --Hayden rolled to its second straight Class 4A girls golf team championship last fall, posting a 698-713 win over Wellington at Hesston as three Wildcats earned individual medals. Junior Lauren Borjon paced Hayden with a third-place state finish (76-81 -- 157) while junior Izzy Glotzbach tied for 12th (89-82 -- 171) and senior Addyson Baer tied for 16th (86-88 -- 174). Glotzbach helped the Wildcats win state titles in tennis and golf three days apart.
Highland Park junior Makayla Cadet has her hand raised as the Class 5A 190-pound state champ last winter. [Photo by Selena Favela/Special to TSN]
5. A SPECIAL BIRTHDAY --Highland Park junior Makayla Cadet celebrated her 17th birthday in one of the best ways you could imagine last winter, with a Class 5A state wrestling championship. Cadet, who went 23-4 on the season, became the first girls wrestler in Highland Park history to win a state championship when she pinned Basehor-Linwood junior Izzy Renfro at the 1:36 mark of the first period in Park City. Cadet's win over Renfro avenged a regional loss to the Bobcat standout.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
The 2024-2025 sports year was full of near-misses for Shawnee County boys teams, with Hayden bowling the lone team to garner a championship in a school year that included seven top-three state trophy finishes in six sports.
But individually there was plenty to celebrate, most notably for Washburn Rural on the wrestling mat and track as seven Junior Blues combined for all six county titles
Following is a pick by pick look at the TopSports.news Top 10 county boys prep stories of '24-'25:
Washburn Rural 2025 grad Easton Broxterman won his third straight Class 6A state wrestling title in his fourth straight trip to the state finals. [File photo/TSN]
1. DOMINATING FINISH TO DOMINATING CAREER -- Washburn Rural superstar wrestler Easton Broxterman put the capper on one of the top high school careers in Shawnee County history with his third straight Class 6A state championship in his fourth straight trip to the state finals, helping lead the Junior Blues to a third-place team finish in the 6A state tournament in Overland Park. Broxterman, who will wrestle collegiately at Army, finished off a 41-2 senior season with the 145-pound state title.
Hayden captured the school's first-ever state bowling title in 2025. [File photo/TSN]
2. ROLLING TO HISTORY --Hayden garnered the first state bowling championship in school history, winning the Class 4A-1A state event by a 3,666-3,571 margin over Mulvane as four Wildcats earned individual state medals. Trevor Christy rolled a 698 series to finish third individually while John Strickland finished fifth with a 685, Chase Blaser was seventh with a 676 and Reese Renyer placed 16th with a 636.
Washburn Rural 2025 grad Kristjan Marshall won back-to-back Class 6A state wrestling titles in '24 and '25.'[File photo/TSN]
Washburn Rural senior to be Landen Kocher-Munoz won his second Class 6A state wrestling titles in '25.'[File photo/TSN]
3. REPEAT FEAT --Washburn Rural wrestling stars Kristjan Marshall and Landen Kocher-Munoz captured the second Class 6A state titles of their careers as the Junior Blues finished third as a team. Marshall, a senior, won his second straight championship, winning the 157-pound crown to finish off a 37-5 season while Kocher-Munoz, a junior, won his second career championship in his third straight state final, winning at 138 pounds to finish 34-3 on the season.
Washburn Rural's Matthew Houser, Liam Morrison, Draden Chooncharoen and Isaiah Terry set the Class 6A state meet record in the 4x400 relay in the 2025 state meet. [File photo/TSN]
4. REPEAT FEAT PART II --Washburn Rural won the Class 6A state title in the 4x400-meter relay for the second straight season in the final event of the state meet at Wichita State's Cessna Stadium as senior Matthew Houser, junior Liam Morrison, junior Draden Chooncharoen and senior Isaiah Terry set a 6A state meet record in a winning time of 3 minutes, 16.23 seconds. Morrison, Chooncharoen and Terry ran on Rural's state-champion relay in both '24 and '25 while Houser won his first state title.
5. DOUBLING THEIR PLEASURE --In addition to helping Washburn Rural set a Class 6A state meet 4x400 relay record in the 2025 state meet, senior Isaiah Terry and junior Liam Morrison both doubled up with their first career individual state titles. Terry won the 400-meter dash in 47.92 seconds while Morrison won the 300 hurdles in 37.68 seconds. Terry and Morrison also both have a pair of state wins as part of the Junior Blues' 4x400 relay, giving them three career state golds.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
How successful was the 2021-22 sports year for Shawnee County high schools? Good enough that girls and boys individuals/teams deserve their own lists.
First up is TopSports.news' look at the county girls year in review, which will be followed by a look at the boys successes of the past year.
Shawnee County schools claimed three state girls team championships and several others came up just short while 10 county standouts claimed individual titles in four different sports.
While a case can always be made for any number of stories to sit at the top of the list, here's one opinion on the Top 10 Shawnee County girls prep stories of '21-'22:
Topeka High celebrates its second straight Class 6A state softball title after last Friday's 2-1 win over Washburn Rural. [Photo by Isaac Deer/TSN]
1. TROJAN RERUN -- After claiming the school's first Class 6A state softball championship in 2021, Topeka High made it two titles in a row last Friday against a familiar foe, with the Trojans edging past city and Centennial League rival Washburn Rural, 2-1, in the championship game. After leading High to a perfect 25-0 record as a junior, Stanford signee NiJaree Canady came up big again in the pitching circle and at the plate last weekend, leading the Trojans to the title.
Washburn Rural won its second Class 6A state basketball championship since 2019, taking a 40-23 win over Derby in the state final. [Submitted]
2. RURAL RULES --Washburn Rural's girls basketball team celebrated a 6A state championship for the second time since 2019, completing a 23-2 season with a 40-23 romp past Derby in the state final at Wichita State's Koch Arena. And while the basketball crown was the lone title for the Lady Blues in '21-'22, they threatened in sport after sport, finishing second in the state in golf, soccer, wrestling and softball and turning in strong cross country, volleyball and bowling campaigns.
Topeka West junior Kadence Jeffries ended her high school swimming career with a sweep of the Class 5A-1A 200 and 500 freestyle events for the third straight season. [File photo/TSN]
3. CHARGER IN CHARGE --The only thing that stopped Topeka West swimming star Kadence Jeffries during a dominating high school career was COVID-19. After sweeping the 200-yard freestyle and 500 free Class 5A-1A state titles as a freshman, Jeffries had her sophomore season wiped out by the pandemic beore returning to sweep the same two events as both a junior and senior to complete a six for six performance in state individual events. Seaman sophomore Avery Walz joined Jeffries as a 5A-1A state champ this past season, winning the 100-yard breaststroke and earning four state medals overall as the Vikings finished fourth as a team.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
As good as Highland Park boys basketball has been over the past several seasons, there's one goal that has eluded the Scots -- a Class 5A state championship.
Nate Wallace (right), cheering on Highland Park during the 2025 Class 5A state tournament, has been selected as the Scots' new boys basketball coach, pending approval of the USD 501 school board. [File photo/TSN]
And it's that one missing piece that was a major factor in Nate Wallace's decision to apply for the Highland Park head coaching job, which opened up on May 19 when Mike Williams stepped down after a highly-successful seven-year run.
Wallace, a Highland Park assistant the past three seasons, has been tapped to take over for Williams as the Scots' head coach, pending approval from the USD 501 school board.
"We kept saying, 'The job's not finished,' and that's just a mantra that I'm going to stick by,'' Wallace told TopSports.news. "I still have ties to kids who are growing up and coming through the community. My son's going to be coming up here in the next couple of years, several of the kids I currently coach in the youth leagues are coming up and the guys that are here are still invested, so I felt like it was the right time.''
Williams led Highland Park to five Class 5A state tournament appearances, including top-three finishes the past three seasons and a runnerup state finish this past season.
"I had a long conversation with Mike,'' said Wallace, a former Topeka High standout who also served as an assistant at his alma mater. "He really inspired me and pushed me to come and feels like I could do a good job and keep pushing this job forward. Like we kept saying all year, and for the last couple of years, the job's not finished, so that's what we're hanging our hat on and we're going to keep trying to get that state championship.''
Highland Park, 24-1 last season and 71-4 over the past three years, graduated nine seniors off its 2024-2025 state team, but Wallace is confident that the Scots will continue to put a quality team on the floor.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Washburn Rural, which captured its first-ever Class 6A girls state championship this spring, put a city-high six players on the 15-member 2025 All-City girls soccer first team.
The All-City team is based on recommendations and voting from city coaches.
Rural is represented on the All-City first team by seniors Destiny Higgs, Kate Hinck, Addyson Kaberline, Zahra Friess and Madison Lemke and junior Dayne Shriver while Junior Blues coach Brian Hensyel was named the city coach of the year
Higgs, Hinck and Kaberline are all first-team repeat picks after helping Washburn Rural post a 19-2 rcord, capped by a 1-0 win over Mill Valley in penalty kicks (4-1).
Destiny Higgs, Washburn Rural
Kate Hinck, Washburn Rural
Addyson Kaberline, Washburn Rural
Zahra Friess, Washburn Rural
Madison Lemke, Washburn Rural
Dayne Shriver, Washburn Rural
Seaman, which advanced to the 5A state quarterfinals, is represented on the All-City team by seniors Anna Becker and Maegan Mills and junior Ava Golightley, with Becker a repeat pick and Mills receiving honorable mention in 2024.
Anna Becker, Seaman
Ava Golightley, Seaman
Hayden, which advanced to the 4A-1A championship game before losing in double overtime to Bishop Miege, put junior Carsyn Broxterman and senior Camryn McDonald on the All-City first team, with Broxterman a repeat selection and McDonald moving up to the first team after receiving honorable mention in 2024.
Carsyn Broxterman, Hayden
Camryn McDonald, Hayden
Shawnee Heights senior Izzy Van Fleet is a repeat first-team selection while T-Bird senior Bayli Benson was voted to the first team after receiving honorable mention a year ago.
Izzy Van Fleet, Shawnee Heights
Bayli Benson, Shawnee Heights
Rounding out the All-City first team are Highland Park sophomore Micah Williams and Topeka High junior Natalie Barnes.
Micah Williams, Highland Park
Natalie Barnes, Topeka High
Williams is a two-time All-City pick while Barnes earned All-City recognition for the first time after helping Topeka High reach the 6A quarterfinals.
ALL-CITY GIRLS SOCCER 2025
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Fourteen city players have earned All-State recognition from the Kansas High School Soccer Coaches Association, including nine first-teamers.
Kate Hinck, Washburn Rural
Madison Lemke, Washburn Rural
Leading the way was Class 6A state champion Washburn Rural with five first-team picks, including senior forward of the year Kate Hinck and senior goalkeeper of the year Madison Lemke.
Zahra Friess, Washburn Rural
Delaney Hill, Washburn Rural
Destiny Higgs, Washburn Rural
Also earning first-team honors for the Junior Blues were senior forward Zahra Friess and senior midfielders Delaney Hill and Destiny Higgs while Rural coach Brian Hensyel was selected as the 6A coach of the year.
Carsyn Broxterman, Hayden
Camryn McDonald, Hayden
Class 4A-1A runnerup Hayden put junior forward Carsyn Broxterman and senior defender Camryn McDonald on the 4A-1A first team while Wildcat coach Klaus Kreutzer was named the coach of the year.
Seaman, a state quarterfinalist, is represented on the All-5A first team by senior midfielder Anna Becker and senior goalkeeper Maegan Mills.
Anna Becker, Seaman
Washburn Rural junior defender Dayne Shriver received second-team All-State honors in 6A while Seaman junior forward Ryin Miller was a second-team pick in 5A and Hayden junior forward Reese Huscher was a second-team selection in 4A-1A.
Highland Park sophomore forward Micah Williams and Seaman junior defender Addyson Shipp received All-5A honorable mention.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
State tournament qualifiers Silver Lake, Seaman, Shawnee Heights, Washburn Rural and Topeka High combined to earn 15 of 16 spots on the 2025 TopSports.news All-Shawnee County softball first team.
Silver Lake, the Class 3A runnerup for the second straight season, put four players on the first team, including Shawnee County player of the year Kendra Cook, while 5A state qualifiers Seaman and Shawnee Heights combined for six first-teamers and 6A state runnerup Washburn Rural and fellow 6A state qualifier Topeka High combined for five first-teamers.
Kendra Cook, Silver Lake
Topeka High freshman London Backman and Hayden freshman Blakely Walter were named the co-county newcomers of the year while Washburn Rural coach Joy Marie Galliart and Silver Lake coach Nick Hamilton share the county coach of the year award for the second straight year.
London Backman, Topeka High
Blakely Walter, Hayden
Cook is joined on the All-Shawnee County first team by Eagle seniors Taylor Zordel and Kira Lowrey and junior Kailyn Hanni after Silver Lake recorded a 25-7 record.
Taylor Zordel, Silver Lake
Kira Lowrey, Silver Lake
Kailyn Hanni, Silver Lake
Seaman put seniors Kaelyn O'Rourke, Raegan McConnell and Anna McLaughlin and junior Aubrey Warren on the first team after the Vikings posted a 20-9 record, including a 3-2 17-inning loss to Maize South in the opening round of the 5A state tournament.
Kaelyn O'Rourke, Seaman
Raegan McConnell, Seaman
Anna McLaughlin, Seaman
Aubrey Warren, Seaman
Washburn Rural, which went 22-8 and advanced to the 6A championship game before dropping an 8-7 decision to Olathe West, put Centennial League player of the year Olivia Koch, a sophomore, on the all-county first team along with juniors Henley Rapp and Reagan Chapman.
Olivia Koch, Washburn Rural
Reagan Chapman, Washburn Rural
Henley Rapp, Washburn Rural
Shawnee Heights, which posted a 20-7 record and dropped a 3-2 decision to eventual 5A state champion St. Thomas Aquinas in the first round of the 5A state tournament, is represented by seniors Taylor Brees and Grace Proctor.
Taylor Brees, Shawnee Heights
Grace Proctor, Shawnee Heights
State qualifier Topeka High put Backman and senior Jo'Mhara Benning on the all-county first team while Hayden senior Keira Carswell rounds out the all-county squad.
Jo'Mhara Benning, Topeka High
Keira Carswell, Hayden
2025 ALL-SHAWNEE COUNTY SOFTBALL
