Rossville Bulldawgs
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Rossville junior basketball standouts Rylee Dick and Jack Donovan 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 2024-2025 school year.
Here’s a brief look at the accomplishments of Dick and Donovan over the past week:
Rossville junior Rylee Dick has been named the Dan Key Farmers Insurance Agency female Rising Star of the Week after averaging 25.7 points with 19 3-pointers over the Bulldawgs' first four games. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
RYLEE DICK, Rossville
Dick opened her junior season by earning all-tournament honors and helping lead Rossville's girls to the championship in last week's Chapman Fighting Irish Classic while averaging 25 points with 14 3-pointers in the Bulldawgs' three tournament games.
Dick had another big game in Tuesday's 62-53 loss to defending Class 3A state champion Silver Lake, scoring 28 points with five 3-pointers.
The 5-foot-6 guard was an All-Shawnee County Second 10 pick last season while also receiving all-county honorable mention in track and field.
Rossville junior Jack Donovan has been named the Dan Key Farmers Insurance Agency male Rising Star of the Week after averaging 25.7 points with 11 3-pointers over the Bulldawgs' first four games. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
JACK DONOVAN, Rossville
A 5-foot-11 multi-sport standout for the Bulldawgs, Donovan has averaged 25.7 points while hitting 11 3-pointers as Rossville opened the 2024-2025 season with a 3-1 record.
Donovan was an all-tournament selection in last week's Chapman Fighting Irish Classic, scoring 75 points in three games with a high of 35 points, and followed that up with 28 points and four 3-pointers in Tuesday's 79-74 win over rival Silver Lake.
Donovan has received All-Shawnee County recognition in basketball, football and golf during his Rossville career.
By Todd Fertig
TopSports.news
The Silver Lake girls gathered themselves after losing for the first time in a year and half and won 62-53 at rival Rossville Tuesday night.
Coming off a 68-58 loss at Centralia, the Eagles faced another road test while many in Silver Lake’s rotation were learning tough lessons under fire.
Junior Kailyn Hanni scored 22 points for Silver Lake in Tuesday's 62-53 win over rival Rossville. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Sophomore Savannah Wende scored 16 points with four 3-pointers in Silver Lake's 62-53 win over Rossville Tuesday night. [Photo by Rex Wolfe/TSN]
“Every game for us is a growing experience and we grew so much having this experience tonight and last Friday at Centralia,” Silver Lake coach Kyle Porter said. “Getting a road win is awesome, particularly anytime you play in the ‘War on 24.’ You know it’s going to be a battle.”
Perhaps still recovering from the defeat at Centralia, the Eagles fell in an early hole to the Lady Dawgs. The home team extended its advantage to 18-12 late in the first quarter.
But that’s when the Eagles’ Savannah Wende hit the first of several big shots on the evening. She knocked down a 3-pointer, which Kailyn Hanni followed with a 2-pointer to cut the deficit to 18-17.
The second period was all Silver Lake. The Eagles ran off an 18-0 run, holding the Lady Dawgs scoreless for about six minutes. Wende hit three more 3-pointers and tallied 11 points in the period.
“My teammates help me so much. They give me good looks all the time,” Wende said. “I’m mostly a shooter, but I think there’s more to my game than just that. I’m really confident in all levels of my game.”
By Todd Fertig
TopSports.news
The Rossville boys overcame a 14-point second-quarter deficit to pull away from Silver Lake in a wild second half, winning 79-74.
As would be expected in the heated “War on 24,” the intensity lasted from wire-to-wire Tuesday night at Rossville.
Junior Jack Donovan (3) scored 28 points in Rossville's 79-74 win over Silver Lake Tuesday night. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Down 28-14 two minutes into the second period, the Bulldawgs kept the faith and let junior Jack Donovan start chipping away. His seven points keyed a 14-6 run the rest of the period. The Bulldawgs went to the locker room down just 34-30.
The Bulldawgs continued to roll on the other side of the intermission. They went on a 29-3 run that saw them lead by as much as 19.
“We’ve been in this situation before. We’ve got to learn how to deal with that adversity and the boys have to figure that out on the court,” Rossville coach Brandon McDonnell said. “So, when we get into these pressure situations, they embrace it. And that makes it even sweeter when they get out of that pressure situation.”
“I think we were fine, but we were ready to fight back,” Donovan said about falling behind early. “Coach is fiery. He gets us to play hard and it’s fun. We just started hitting shots, playing better defense, getting stops. That’s what let us go on that run.”
After being held to just two points in the opening period, Donovan lit up the Eagles for 28, including four long-range 3-pointers.
“When he’s pulling these long-distance threes, we’re not surprised by it because that’s what he does,” McDonnell said. “If he misses, we’re like ‘You sick? What’s wrong?’ ”
“I’ve been watching these games my entire life, and it’s just fun to play in them,” Donovan said of the rivalry with Silver Lake. “It’s definitely a different atmosphere.”
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
KaeVon Bonner
KAEVON BONNER, Seaman
A 6-foot-3 junior guard, Bonner scored 42 points in two Seaman boys basketball wins on the week as the Vikings improved to 2-1 on the season. Bonner scored 25 points in a 70-50 Tuesday night United Kansas Conference home win over Lansing, hitting 10 of 17 shots from the field with five 3-pointers, and scored 17 points with three 3-pointers Friday as the Vikings took a 60-57 UKC road victory over No. 8-ranked Topeka West.
Nora Burdiek
NORA BURDIEK, Rossville
Burdiek, a 5-foot-11 sophomore, was named the most valuable player in last week's Fighting Irish Classic at Chapman after averaging 20.7 points and 13 rebounds for the tournament-champion Bulldawgs. Burdiek scored 26 points in an 89-9 win over Kansas City-Bishop Ward, scored 20 points in a 57-50 win over Sacred Heart and had 16 points in the Bulldawgs' 65-25 win over Chapman on Saturday as Rossville wrapped up the championship.
Rylee Dick
RYLEE DICK, Rossville
A 5-foot-6 junior, Dick helped lead Rossville to three straight wins and the tournament championship in last week's Fighting Irish Classic, earning all-tournament honors. Dick scored 26 points with four 3-pointers in an 89-9 win over Kansas City-Bishop Ward, had 25 points with six treys in a 57-50 win over Sacred Heart and finished her week with 25 points and four 3-pointers in Saturday's 65-25 win over Chapman. Dick also averaged five assists on the week.
By Rick Peterson
TopSports.news
Perennial state girls wrestling power Washburn Rural reigned supreme in the 35-school Council Bluffs Wrestling Classic on Saturday in Iowa, with the Junior Blues winning the team championship by a 501.5-493 margin over Raccoon River.
Washburn Rural's girls wrestling team won the championship in the Council Bluffs Wrestling Classic on Saturday in Iowa. [Washburn Rural girls wrestling]
Rural got runnerup finishes from senior 105-pounder Molly Spader and sophomore 235-pounder Justice McBurney to lead the way as the Junior Blues had nine wrestlers post top-eight finishes.
Spader, a runnerup, in Class 6A last season, is now 9-1 on the season after dropping a 12-2 major decision in the championship match while McBurney is 4-2 after being pinned in her final.
The Junior Blues also got third-place finishes from senior 115-pounder Maddy Blow (9-1) and junior 145-pounder Emme Blanco (8-3).
Washburn Rural won two team titles on the day Saturday, with a split squad taking the championship in the Melvin Douglas Invitational at Highland Park.
Shawnee Heights' girls wrestling team claimed the team championship in the Clay Center Invitational, with six individual champs. [Shawnee Heights wrestling]
T-Bird girls capture Clay Center team crown
Shawnee Heights piled up 195 points to win the girls championship in Saturday's Clay Center Invitational, with six T-Birds claiming individual titles.
Heights got titles from senior 130-pounder Isabel Reyes, freshman 135-pounder Olive Jones, senior 140-pounder Madison Freeland, 145-pounder Olivia Stevens, junior 155-pounder Ciana Graves and sophomore 170-pounder Brooklyn Binkley.
Posting runnerup finishes for the T-Birds were freshman Ava Gutierrez (100), senior Reece Taylor (125) and junior Shelby Watson (190).
Rossville finished eighth as a team, getting a win from 100-pound freshman Nora Mitchell and a runnerup finish from 155-pound sophomore Madelyn Wonnell.
Silver Lake boys sweep Bluejay Duals
Silver Lake's boys went 5-0 on the day to claim the championship in Saturday's Bluejay Duals at Sabetha.
The Eagles took a 66-12 win over Nemaha Central, a 68-12 win over a split squad from Washburn Rural, a 45-34 win over Seaman, a 62-9 win over Rock Creek and a 47-35 win over Sabetha.
Silver Lake 132-pounder Garrett Holmes, 157-pounder Trent Harris, 165-pounder Kayden Clelland, 215-pounder Carter Spreer and 285-pounder Kendrick VandeVelde all went 5-0 on the day for the Eagles.
Holmes recorded four pins and an 18-2 technical fall, while Harris had four wins by pin and an 11-8 decision.
Clelland, Spreer and VandeVelde all recorded two pins on the day.
Seaman posted a 3-2 record to finish third, posting a 65-18 win over Rock Creek, a 65-12 win over Nemaha Central and a 68-12 win over Washburn Rural while dropping a 40-33 decision to Sabetha and the 45-34 loss to Silver Lake.
Seaman 138-pounder Deegan Frazier and 144-pounder Ross Shipley both went 5-0 for the Vikings, with Shipley posting five pins and Frazier four pins.
Washburn Rural's split squad went 1-4, with the Junior Blues' lone win a 42-36 win over Nemaha Central.
Silver Lake's girls went 2-1 as a team in a quadrangular held in conjunction with the Bluejay Duals.
The Eagles took a 52-24 win over Sabetha and a 42-17 win over Nemaha Central while dropping a 36-30 decision to Riley County.
Karley Holmes (110/115), McKenna Harris (130) and MaKayla Connor (155) all went 3-0 on the day.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Editor's note: The 20 girls wrestlers to watch are primarily based on performances in the 2023-2024 season. TopSports.news is still in the process of receiving preseason information from local coaches and will update information as needed.
Koti Best, Seaman
KOTI BEST, Seaman
Best, a senior, had her junior season disrupted by injury after finishing second in Class 5A as a sophomore. Best received All-Shawnee County honorable mention last season and is ranked No. 1 at 115 pounds in the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association's second of two preseason state 5A rankings.
MADISON BLANCO, Washburn Rural
A junior, Blanco earned first-team All-Shawnee County recognition last season at 130 pounds after helping Washburn Rural win its second straight Class 6A state team title. Blanco posted a 28-9 record and placed sixth in 6A. She is ranked No. 3 in 6A at 135 pounds in the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Assocation's second preseason rankings.
MADDY BLOW, Washburn Rural
Blow, a senior, was a first-team All-Shawnee County pick for the second straight season at 115 pounds after qualifying for the Class 6A state tournament and posting a 22-12 record on the season. Blow is ranked sixth at 115 in 6A by the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association in its second of two preseason rankings.
CONNIE BURNS, Highland Park
Burns, a junior, posted a 23-6 record and was a second-team All-Shawnee County selection last season at 105 pounds for Shawne Heights before transferring to Highland Park this season. Burns is 5-0 on the season for the Scots after winning the 115-pound title in Saturday's Highland Park Invitational.
MAKAYLA CADET, Highland Park
A junior, Cadet earned All-Shawnee County honorable mention in the 2023-2024 season and is ranked No. 6 in Class 5A at 190 pounds by the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association in its second preseason rankings. Cadet won the 235-pound title in Saturday's Highland Park Invitational.
Maddie Freeland, Shawnee Heights
MADDIE FREELAND, Shawnee Heights
A senior, Freeland is a three-time state qualfier and finished second in Class 5A at 135 pounds last season while compiling a 27-4 record. Freeland was a second-team All-Shawnee County selection as a junior and is ranked No. 2 at 135 in 5A by the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association in its second preseason state rankings.
ANNIE GALLEGOS, Washburn Rural
Gallegos, a senior, received second-team All-Shawnee County honors last season at 125 pounds and is a two-time state medalist. Gallegos was a state qualifier last season, posting a 19-5 record on the season, and is ranked No. 3 in the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association's first preseason rankings.
TESSA GERBER, Silver Lake
A senior multi-sport standout for Silver Lake, Gerber is currently ranked No. 3 in Class 3A-1A at 135 pounds by the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association in its second of two preseason staate rankings.
Cianna Graves, Shawnee Heights
CIANNA GRAVES, Shawnee Heights
A junior, Graves received first-team All-Shawnee County honors at 155 pounds last season after posting a 32-8 record and finishing fifth in the Class 5A state tournament. Graves, a two-time state placer, is currently top-ranked in 5A by the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association in its second preseason state rankings.
McKENNA HARRIS, Silver Lake
Harris, a junior for the Eagles, is currently ranked No. 4 at 125 pounds in Class 3A-1A by the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association in the second of two preseason rankings.
Taylie Heston, Seaman
TAYLIE HESTON, Seaman
Heston, a senior, finished fourth in Class 5A last season at 120 pounds and posted a 30-10 record en route to earning All-Shawnee County first-team recognition for the second straight season. Heston is ranked second in 5A in the second Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association preseason state rankings at 120.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Hayden, which advanced to the Class 3A state championship game for the second straight season, and 5A quarterfinalist and United Kansas Conference champion Seaman combined for 10 Top 22 spots to lead the TopSports.news' 2024 All-Shawnee County football team.
Hayden, which posted a 11-2 record this fall, is represented on the Top 22 by senior three-time honoree Jensen Schrickel along with seniors Broderick Desch, Treyton Tetuan and Jett Wahlmeier and juniors Jude Krentz and Kade while Seaman, 8-3 on the year, put seniors Briar Finley, Max Huston and Kaden Jordan and junior Cameron Brian on the Top 22.
Seaman quarterback Huston and wide receiver Finley were named the Shawnee County co-offensive players of the year while Jordan, a nose tackle, was named the county defensive player of the year and Brian was selected as the defensive newcomer of the year.
Hayden's Schrickel was selected as the Shawnee County all-purpose athlete of the year while Wildcat coach Bill Arnold, now 222-68 as a head coach, was named the county coach of the year.
Shawnee Heights junior quarterback Aiden Scott was a Top 22 pick and selected as the county offensive newcomer of the year after throwing for more than 3,100 yards.
Washburn Rural senior safety Kingston Leonard joins Schrickel and Huston as All-Shawnee County Top 22 repeat selections while the Junior Blues are also represented on the Top 22 by senior linemen Caden Estrada and Jacob Hawks.
Shawnee Heights also put junior Tyren Parker on the all-county Top 22, while 1A semifinalist Rossville is represented by senior Tayson Horak and junior Conner Bush, Silver Lake by senior Braden Strausbaugh and junior Dayne Johnson, Highland Park by seniors Ricky Crawford and Jamon Wilson and Topeka High by senior Jayden Norman.
All 10 Shawnee County high schools have representatives on either the Top 22, Second 22 or honorable mention list. Five county teams won at least six games this fall, with four winning at least one playoff contest.
TopSports.news selected the 2024 All-Shawnee County team after receiving input from county head coaches.
All-Shawnee County Top 22 capsules:
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Kaden Ballard, Washburn Rural
KADEN BALLARD, Washburn Rural
Ballard, a 5-foot-10 senior guard, received Top Sports News All-Shawnee County Second 10 and All-Centennial League second-team recognition last season. A Washburn University signee, Ballard averaged 12.0 points, 3.3 assists, 3.3 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game while hitting 44 of 127 3-point attempts and 56 of 76 free throws for a 73.7-percent average.
Mason Becker, Hayden
MASON BECKER, Hayden
A sophomore, Becker was named the TSN All-Shawnee County newcomer of the year and received Second 10 all-county recognition last season as a freshman after helping the 8-16 Wildcats advance to the Class 3A state tournament. Becker averaged 5.7 points, hit 17 3-pointers, shot 75.5 percent from the free throw line and registered 1.3 assists and 1.0 steals.
KaeVon Bonner, Seaman
KAEVON BONNER, Seaman
Bonner, a 6-foot-1 junior, moved up to the TSN All-Shawnee County first team last season after being named the Shawnee County co-newcomer of the year and receiving honorable mention as a freshman. A first-team All-United Kansas Conference selection, Bonner averaged 15.7 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.4 steals this past season for the 9-12 Vikings while hitting 32 3-pointers and shooting 76 percent from the free throw line.
Jack Donovan, Rossville
JACK DONOVAN, Rossville
A 5-foot-11 junior, Donovan made the All-Shawnee County Top 10 for the first time last season after being named the co-newcomer of the year and receiving honorable mention as a freshman. Donovan averaged 14 points, 4 rebounds and 2.4 assists for the 15-7 Bulldawgs while setting a school record with 59 3-point baskets. He was a first-team All-Mid-East League pick. Donovan is also a standout in football and golf for the Bulldawgs, earning All-Shawnee County first-team golf honors.
Ontarius Emmot, Shawnee Heights
ONTARIUS EMMOT, Shawnee Heights
Emmot, a junior, received TSN All-Shawnee County honorable mention recognition last season after helping Shawnee Heights post a 19-4 record and advance to the Class 5A state tournament. Emmot shot 49.2 percent from 3-point range last season, draining 31 treys on the season. Emmot also shot 79.7 percent from the free throw line and blocked 15 shots.
Bryer Finley, Seaman
BRYER FINLEY, Seaman
Finley, a 6-foot-5 senior, played in just four games for the Vikings a year ago before missing the remainder of the season with an injury. Before being sidelined Finley averaged 13.5 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game. Finley is coming off an oustanding football season as a wide receiver, being named the United Kansas Conference offensive player of the year after helping Seaman reach the Class 5A quarterfinals.
Kamoni Ford, Topeka West
KAMONI FORD, Topeka West
A 6-foot-7 senior, Ford averaged 7.9 points and 5.0 rebounds for the 14-8 Chargers last season. Ford shot 57.5 percent on 2-point field goal attempts, hit 20 3-pointers and shot 70 percent from the free throw line. Ford received TSN All-Shawnee County honorable mention as a junior.
Jalen Foy, Topeka West
JALEN FOY, Topeka West
Foy, a 6-foot-2 senior guard, turned in a breakout junior season for the Chargers, earning TSN All-Shawnee County Top 10 and first-team All-United Kansas Conference recognition last season for 14-8 West. Foy averaged 13.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 2.5 steals and 1.4 blocked shots while hitting 31 3-pointers.
Connor Hanika, Hayden
CONNOR HANIKA, Hayden
Hanika, a junior, received All-Shawnee County honorable mention last season after helping the 8-16 Wildcats advance to the Class 3A state tournament. Hanika averaged 5.1 points and 3.3 rebounds in 2023-2024 while shooting 52.4 percent on 2-point field goals. Hanika is also a football standout for Hayden, helping the Wildcats post back-to-back runnerup finishes in 3A.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Anna Becker, Seaman
ANNA BECKER, Seaman
A 5-foot-11 senior, Becker was named the TopSports.news All-Shawnee County co-player of the year after helping lead Seaman to the Class 5A state championship last season. Becker scored 15 points with 8 rebounds, 5 assists and two steals in the Vikings' 54-41 win over Maize South in the state final as Seaman capped a 23-2 season. A Drake signee, Becker is a three-time All-Shawnee County Top 10 pick and has been named the United Kansas Conference player of the year the past two seasons. Becker averaged 14.8 points, 4.9 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 2.8 steals while shooting 61.3 percent from 2-point range as a junior.
Tahtionna Broils, Highland Park
TAHTIONNA BROILS, Highland Park
A senior, Broils earned second-team All-Meadowlark Conference honors and TSN All-Shawnee County honorable mention last season for the 14-6 Scots. Broils averaged 9.7 points and 6.4 rebounds as a junior to go with 2.6 steals, 1.6 assists and 1.3 blocked shots for the Scots, who won the Meadowlark Conference championship.
Tenly Bunck, Washburn Rural
TENLY BUNCK, Washburn Rural
A 5-foot-5 senior guard, Bunck helped Washburn Rural reach the Class 6A state championship game for the third straight season. Bunck helped the Junior Blues post a 17-8 record on the season while averaging 3.5 points and 2.9 rebounds and shooting 66.7 percent from the free throw line. Bunck received TSN All-Shawnee County and All-Centennial League honorable mention as a junior.
Nora Burdiek, Rossville
NORA BURDIEK, Rossville
Burdiek, a 5-foot-11 sophomore forward, had a breakout season for Rossville as a freshman, earning TSN All-Shawnee County Second 10 and All-Mid-East League second-team recognition. Burdiek averaged 15 points, 9 rebounds and 3 steals per game last season as Rossville posted an 18-4 record. Burdiek earned all-county first-team honors in volleyball this fall.
Pearmella Carter, Highland Park
PEARMELLA CARTER, Highland Park
The 5-foot-10 Carter burst on the city and Meadowlark Conference scene last season as a freshman, leading the city in scoring and rebounding, averaging 18.1 and 10.2 rebounds while also averaging 3.9 steals and shooting 61.4 percent on 2-point field goals. Carter was named the Meadowlark Conference Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year and also received Second 10 All-Shawnee County recognition.
Rylee Dick, Rossville
RYLEE DICK, Rossville
A junior, Dick had a big sophomore season for the Bulldawgs, helping Rossville post an 18-4 record. Dick, a 5-foot-6 guard, received TSN All-Shawnee County Second 10 and All-Mid-East second-team honors last season after averaging 15 points, 3 assists and 3 steals and shooting 36 percent from 3-point range.
KK Emmot, Shawnee Heights
KK EMMOT, Shawnee Heights
A 5-foot-7 sophomore, Emmot made an immediate impact for Shawnee Heights last season, averaging 13.5 points while connecting on 35 3-point goals and shooting 75 percent from the free throw line. Emmot earned All-United Kansas Conference second-team recognition last winter while also being named to the TSN All-Shawnee County Second 10.
Ava Esser, Seaman
AVA ESSER, Seaman
Esser, a 6-foot senior, earned All-Shawnee County Second 10 recognition last season after helping Seaman win the Class 5A state championship and post a 23-2 record. Esser, who received All-United Kansas Conference honorable mention as a junior, averaged 5.6 points and grabbed 7.3 rebounds while shooting 47.6 percent from the field.
Maddie Gragg, Seaman
MADDIE GRAGG, Seaman
A 5-foot-10 junior, Gragg was an TSN All-Shawnee County Top 10 and All-United Kansas Conference first-team pick for the second straight season after helping lead Seaman post a 23-2 record and win the Class 5A state title. Gragg registered a double-double in the Class 5A state final, scoring 18 points and grabbing 10 rebounds in the Vikings' 54-41 win over Maize South. Gragg averaged 12.4 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.6 steals last season while shooting 51.6 percent on 2-point field goals, 44.4 percent on 3-point attempts with 28 3s and 77.0 percent from the free throw line.
Kailyn Hanni, Silver Lake
KAILYN HANNI, Silver Lake
Hanni, a 5-foot-7 junior, had a breakout season for Silver Lake, helping the Eagles cap a perfect 26-0 season with a 66-61 win over Hesston in the Class 3A state championship game. Hanni, an All-Shawnee County Top 10 and first-team All-Mid-East League pick, scored 26 points for Silver Lake in the title game while connecting on 14 of 15 free throw attempts, with many of her charities coming in crunch time. Hanni scored a total of 50 points at state, with three double-figure games.
Karsyn Hastert, Cair Paravel
KARSYN HASTERT, Cair Paravel Latin
A junior, Hastert earned TSN All-Shawnee County honorable mention last season for the 6-16 Lions. Hastert averaged 7.3 points as a sophomore and ranked fifth in the city of Topeka with an 8.2 rebounding average and fourth with 1.4 blocked shots. Hastert is also a volleyball standout for Cair Paravel, earning All-Shawnee County second-team recognition this fall.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
CENTRALIA -- It appeared as if Rossville might have another playoff comeback in it Friday night when the Bulldawgs clawed within five points of Centralia with 7:15 remaining.
Rossville senior quarterback Tayson Horak (12) and the Bulldawgs had their eight-game winning streak snapped by Centralia in Friday's 22-9 sub-state loss. [Photo by Jesse Bruner/Special to TSN]
Rossville junior Conner Bush (5) brings down a Centralia ball-carrier in Friday's 22-9 Class 1A sub-state loss to the Panthers. [Photo by Jesse Bruner/Special to TSN]
But No. 3 East seed Centralia was able to answer with a touchdown to put the game out of reach in a 22-9 home Class 1A sub-state win over the Bulldawgs.
The Panthers, who improved to 11-1, advanced to Saturday's 5 p.m. 1A state championship game at Hutchinson Community College's Gowans Stadium to take on No. 1 West seed Conway Springs (12-0) while Rossville ended its season 8-4, with Friday's loss ending the Bulldawgs' eight-game winning streak.
After Centralia scored with 24.8 seconds remaining in the first half and connected on a two-point conversion pass to take a 14-3 advantage, Rossville cut into the Panthers' lead when senior quarterback Tayson Horak connected with junior Jack Donovan for a 39-yard touchdown pass. Rossville's attempt for a two-point conversion was unsuccessful, leaving the Bulldawgs behind 14-9.
Rossville, which had rallied from 17 points down to stun Jackson Heights in the quarterfinals, looked to be in position to launch another come-from-behind win at that point, but Centralia drove for the game-clinching TD with 3:38 remaining and tacked on the two-point conversion to account for the final score.
Rossville accepts the Class 1A sub-state runnerup plaque Friday night at Centralia. [Photo by Jesse Bruner/Special to TSN]
Centralia jumped out to a 6-0 lead with 11:06 left in the first half (two-point conversion failed), but Rossville got a 26-yard field goal from Vincent Daniel with 1:40 remaining in the half to cut its deficit to 6-3.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
(Kickoffs at 7 p.m.)
Hayden senior Jensen Schrickel has 681 receiving yards, 523 rushing yards and has scored 21 touchdowns for the 10-1 Wildcats. [Photo by Kyle Manthe/Special to TSN]
Class 3A
HAYDEN (No. 3 East: 10-1) at WELLSVILLE (No. 1 East: 11-0)
Hayden, second in Class 3A last fall, is one win away from a second straight berth in the state championship game after a 56-6 rout over Perry-Lecompton last Friday while Wellsville remained undefeated with a 35-14 quarterfinal win over Prairie View. Hayden senior quarterback Jett Wahlmeier has completed 111 of 163 passes for 1,765 yards and 21 touchdowns while junior Kade Mitchell has carried the ball 87 times for 705 yards, caught 26 passes for 419 yards and scored 23 total touchdowns. Senior Jensen Schrickel has caught 37 passes for 681 yards, rushed for 523 yards on 36 attempts and scored 21 total TDs after a seven-touchdown performance against Perry-Lecompton. Senior Broderick Desch has carried the ball 54 times for 351 yards and scored 11 touchdowns. Junior Jude Krentz leads Hayden with 115 total tackles (66 solo). Wellsville junior running back Armond Graves has carried the ball 136 times for 1,125 rushing yards (8.3 yards per carry) and scored 24 touchdowns while sophomore quarterback Pete Dorsey has completed 54 of 93 passes for 878 yards and nine TDs. Senior Matt Newhouse has caught 31 passes for 558 yards and five TDs while senior Kenyon Gillins has 37 receptions for 425 yards and three scores. The winner of Friday's game between the Wildcats and Eagles will advance to face the winner of Friday's game between No. 1 West seed Andale (11-0) and No. 7 Holcomb (9-2) in the state championship game Nov. 30 at Hutchinson.
Rossville senior Tayson Horak has passed for 1,322 yards and rushed for 1,062 yards for the 8-3 Bulldawgs. [File photo/TSN]
Class 1A
ROSSVILLE (No. 4 East: 8-3) at CENTRALIA (No. 3 East: 10-1)
Rossville advanced to the sub-state round of the Class 1A playoffs with a dramatic 42-38 comeback win over No. 1 East seed and previously-unbeaten Jackson Heights last Friday on the road, the Bulldawgs' eighth straight win. The Bulldawgs trailed by 17 points with five and half minutes remaining before recovering two onsides kicks and scoring three late TDs to pull out the victory. No. 3 East seed Centralia advanced with a 46-14 win over No. 2 East seed Pittsburg Colgan. Rossville senior quarterback Tayson Horak has completed 86 of 147 passes for 1,322 yards and 16 touchdowns and has rushed for 1,062 yards and 15 TDs on 130 attempts. Junior Conner Bush has carried the ball 69 times for 658 yards and 10 TDs while junior Jack Donovan has 31 catches for 466 yards and four TDs and senior Mekhi Jackson has 20 catches for 386 yards and four TDs. C. Bush has been in on 110 tackles with 9.0 tackles for loss while junior Andre Johnson has been in on 95 stops (45 solo). The Rossville-Centralia winner will play in the state championship game on Nov. 30 at Hutchinson against the winner of Friday's game between No. 1 West seed Conway Springs (11-0) and No. 3 Valley Heights (9-2).
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Twelve Rossville and Silver Lake football standouts have received All-Big East football recognition for the 2024 season, including four first-team selections.
Silver Lake junior Dayne Johnson earned All-Big East first-team honors on both offense and defense for the 7-3 Eagles. [File photo/TSN]
Rossville senior Tayson Horak, who has helped lead the Bulldawgs to the Class 1A sub-state round, earned All-Big East first-team honors as an all-purpose pick. [File photo/TSN]
Silver Lake junior Dayne Johnson received first-team honors at both wide receiver and defensive back while senior Braden Strausbaugh was a first-team pick as an offensive lineman and defensive end/outside linebacker for the 7-3 Eagles.
Rossville, which will play in a Class 1A sub-state game Friday at Centralia, is represented on the All-Big East first team by senior defensive lineman Leo Wehrli and senior all-purpose pick Tayson Horak. The Bulldawgs are 8-3 with eight straight wins entering Friday night's playoff game.
Silver Lake senior quarterback Dysen Schooler and senior defensive back Logan Cathcart were second-team all-league picks along with Rossville senior defensive end/outside linebacker Will Koch and senior linebacker Brock Bush.
Rossville juniors Jack Donovan and Conner Bush both received honorable mention as did Horak as a returner in addition to his first-team selection on offense, while Silver Lake senior Trent Rollenhagen and junior Grady Bergmann also received honorable mention.
2024 ALL-BIG EAST FOOTBALL TEAM
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Tayson Horak
TAYSON HORAK, Rossville
A senior quarterback, Horak had a hand in five Rossville touchdowns as the Bulldawgs rallied from a 17-point deficit with 5:30 remaining to advance to the Class 1A state football sub-state round with a 42-38 win over top seed and previously-unbeaten Jackson Heights on the road Friday night. Horak threw for touchdown passes of 17, 39, 35 and 25 yards and scored the game-winning TD on a 6-yard run as the Bulldawgs improved to 8-3 on the season with their eighth straight victory.
L.J. Minner Jr.
LJ MINNER Jr., Washburn University
A 6-foot, 205-pound sophomore linebacker out of Ferguson, Mo., Minner registered 14 tackles as Washburn ended its season with a 35-28 win at Northeastern State. Minner finished his season with 103 total tackles (59 solo), 8.0 tackles for loss, 5.0 sacks, four forced fumbles and one fumble recovery for the Ichabods.
Tre Richardson
TRE RICHARDSON, Washburn University
A 5-foot-10, 175-pound sophomore receiver, the former Highland Park multi-sport star scored the game-winning touchdown with 48 seconds remaining in Washburn's season-ending 35-28 road win at Northeastern State, hauling in a 10-yard pass from Sam Van Dyne. Richardson also set up an Ichabod touchdown with an 84-yard kickoff return. Richardson caught five passes for 52 yards and had 166 all-purpose yards in the win.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
State tournament teams Seaman, Washburn Rural and Hayden combined to put 10 players on the TopSports.news 2024 All-Shawnee County volleyball first team, led by Seaman two-time player of the year Maegan Mills.
Seaman senior Maegan Mills (23) has been named the TSN Shawnee County volleyball player of the year for the second straight season. [Photo by Jesse Bruner/Special to TSN]
Seaman's Tatiana Dowling has been named the Shawnee County coach of the year for the second straight season. [File photo/TSN]
Seaman, which finished second in Class 5A this fall after winning the state title in 2023, put a county-high four players on the all-county first team, with Mills joined by fellow Viking seniors Campbell Chabot, Ava Esser and Kinley Wilhelm while Viking coach Tatiana Dowling, a Seaman grad, was named the coach of the year for the second straight season after leading her team to a county-best 41-3 record and a county-best state tournament finish.
Hayden freshman Hailey Schmidtlein has been named the Shawnee County co-newcomer of the year. [File photo/TSN]
Hayden freshman Blakely Walter has been named the Shawnee County volleyball co-newcomer of the year. [File photo/TSN]
Hayden, which placed third in the 4A state tournament, is represented on the first team by senior Reagan McGivern and freshmen Hailey Schmidtlein and Blakely Walter, who were named co-Shawnee County newcomers of the year. McGivern is a first-team all-county repeat pick after earning first-team honors at Seaman as a junior.
Washburn Rural is represented on the all-county first team by seniors Layla Collins and Kate Hinck and junior Karsyn Horyna after helping the Junior Blues win the Centennial League championship and advance to the 6A state tournament.
Collins is a first-team All-Shawnee County repeat pick after being a second-team pick as a sophomore.
Shawnee Heights put seniors Kaydence Torrez and Taylor Brees on the first team while Silver Lake is represented by senior Ella Bolan, Rossville by sophomore Nora Burdiek and Topeka High by senior Jo'Mhara Benning.
Torrez and Bolan are first-team repeat picks while Burdiek was named the county newcomer of the year as a freshman.
All-Shawnee County first-team capsules:
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Thirteen Shawnee County players have earned Kansas Volleyball Association All-State recognition, including four first-team picks.
Seaman senior Campbell Chabot earned KVA All-State first-team honors in Class 5A after helping the Vikings finish second in Class 5A this fall. [Photo by Jesse Bruner/Special to TSN]
Seaman senior Maegan Mills earned first-team KVA All-State honors in Class 5A for the second straight season after helping lead the Vikings to a runnerup state finish. [Photo by Jesse Bruner/Special to TSN]
Hayden senior Reagan McGivern earned a spot on the KVA Class 4A All-State first team after helping the Wildcats finish third in 4A. [Photo by Selena Favela/Special to TSN]
Rossville sophomore Nora Burdiek was named to the KVA All-Class 2A All-State team. [Submitted photo]
Seniors Campbell Chabot and Meagan Mills, who helped lead Seaman to a runnerup finish in Class 5A, were named to the All-5A first team while Hayden senior Reagan McGivern earned first-team honors in 4A after helping the Wildcats post a third-place state finish and Rossville sophomore Nora Burdiek was a first-team pick in 2A after helping the Bulldawgs win a regional championship this fall.
Washburn Rural senior Layla Collins received second-team all-state recognition in 6A while Seaman senior Ava Esser was a second-team All-5A pick, freshmen Hailey Schmidtlein and Blakely Walter were second-team selections in 4A and Silver Lake senior Ella Bolan was a second-team honoree in 3A.
Rural senior Kate Hinck received All-6A honorable mention while Seaman seniors Maggie Moulden and Kinley Wilhelm received honorable mention in 5A and Hayden junior Ella Foster received honorable mention in 4A.
KANSAS VOLLEYBALL ASSOCIATION 2024 ALL-STATE
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
An eighth straight Rossville victory appeared highly unlikely on the road Friday night when the Bulldawgs trailed top seed and undefeated Jackson Heights 31-14 at the start of the fourth quarter and 38-21 with five and a half minutes remaining.
But three touchdowns over a span of just 1 minute, 27 seconds did the trick, with Rossville rallying for a dramatic 42-38 win to advance to next Friday's Class 1A sub-state (semifinal) round.
Rossville senior quarterback Tayson Horak passed for four TDs and ran for the game-winning score in Friday's 42-38 road win at Jackson Heights. [File photo/TSN]
Now 8-3 on the season, the Bulldawgs took their only lead of the night on a 6-yard run by senior quarterback Tayson Horak (Vincent Daniel kick) with 3:07 left and Rossville was able to keep the Cobras out of the end zone the rest of the way to close out the win.
Rossville will be on the road again next Friday, traveling to Centralia to face the 10-1 Panthers, a 46-14 winner over Pittsburg Colgan.
Jackson Heights (10-1) struck first against Rossville, just 18 seconds into the game, but a 4-yard Andre Johnson TD run (Daniel kick) knotted the score at 7-7 at the 7:21 mark of the opening quarter.
The Cobras took a 10-7 lead on a 25-yard field goal late in the first and scored back-to-back TDs to take a 24-7 lead with two minutes remaining in the first half.
Rossville junior Mahki Jackson (15) scored a pair of TDs in Friday's 42-38 come-from-behind playoff win at Jackson Heights. [File photo/TSN]
Rossville got back within 10 points on a 25-yard pass from Horak to Mahki Jackson (Daniel kick) with just 16 seconds left before the intermission but Jackson Heights scored the only touchdown of the third quarter late in the period to go back in front by 17.
Horak and Jackson hooked up again early in the fourth quarter, this time on a 35-yard TD (Daniel kick), but the Cobras answered with a 6-yard TD to go up 38-21 with 5:30 left.
That's when Rossville turned the tables in a big way.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
(All kickoffs at 7 p.m.)
Seaman junior Kaden McKinney (9) has rushed for 932 yards and 12 TDs on 153 attempts for the 8-2 Vikings. [File photo/TSN]
Class 5A
SEAMAN (No. 3 West: 8-2) at EISENHOWER (No. 2 West: 8-2)
Seaman advanced to the Class 5A quarterfinals with a 43-15 win over Valley Center last Friday while Eisenhower moved on with a 37-26 win over Maize South. Seaman senior Max Huston has completed 138 of 219 passes for 2,352 yards and 27 touchdowns and has rushed for 740 yards and 13 TDs on 103 attempts. Senior Bryer Finley has 72 receptions for 1,499 yards and 21 TDs while junior Kaden McKinney has carried the ball 153 times for 932 yards and 12 TDs. Junior Cameron Brian leads the Vikings with 108 tackles (60 solo) with 10 tackles for loss. Eisenhower senior Derek Morgan has completed 129 of 189 passes for 2416 yards and 34 TDs. Senior Carter Pabst has caught 63 passes for 1,522 yards and 26 TDs. Junior Brayden Pappas has carried the ball 177 times for 1,082 yards and four TDs. The Seaman-Eisenhower winner will advance to the sub-state round to face the winner of Friday's game between No. 9 West seed Hays (6-4) at No. 4 seed Hutchinson (8-2).
Hayden senior Jensen Schrickel has 489 receiving yards, 398 rushing yards and has scored 14 touchdowns for the 9-1 Wildcats. [Photo by Kyle Manthe/Special to TSN]
Class 3A
PERRY-LECOMPTON (No. 10 East: 5-5) at HAYDEN (No. 3 East: 9-1)
Hayden, second in Class 3A last fall, advanced to the quarterfinal round of the 3A playoffs with a 49-0 rout over Girard last Friday, while Perry-Lecompton upset No. 2 seed Frontenac on the road, 28-22. Hayden took a 50-16 district win over Perry-Lecompton on Oct. 18. Hayden senior quarterback Jett Wahlmeier has completed 102 of 149 passes for 1,531 yards and 17 touchdowns while junior Kade Mitchell has carried the ball 83 times for 689 yards, caught 24 passes for 408 yards and scored 23 total touchdowns. Senior Jensen Schrickel has caught 32 passes for 489 yards, rushed for 398 yards on 31 attempts and scored 14 total TDs. Junior Jude Krentz
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Silver Lake senior Ella Bolan earned a first-team spot on the All-Big East League volleyball team while seven Silver Lake and Rossville players earned all-league recognition.
Ella Bolan
Bolan helped lead the Eagles to a 28-10 record and a Class 3A regional champonship.
Silver Lake sophomores Jaylie Whitehead and Kylie Hanni and Rossville sophomore Nora Burdiek were named to the All-Big East second team while Silver Lake junior Jaiden Wise made the third team.
Rossville's Sydney Sumner and Silver Lake's Paige Heiman received honorable mention.
ALL-BIG EAST LEAGUE VOLLEYBALL
First team
Cali Honeyman, Nemaha Central; Samantha Klotz, Royal Valley; Hayden Heim, St. Marys; Ella Bolan, Silver Lake; Tinley Wilson, Holton; Hallie Holthaus, Nemaha Central.
Second team
Erin Boltz, Sabetha; Jaylie Whitehead, Silver Lake; Nora Burdiek, Rossville; Zoey Sudbeck, Nemaha Central; KiWe Miller, Royal Valley; Kylie Hanni, Silver Lake.
Third team
Addison Schwinn, Jefferson West; Macie Corcoran, Perry-Lecompton; Jaiden Wise, Silver Lake; Elizabeth Schuster, Holton; Kolbie Noel, Jefferson West; Maddy Simmons, Hiawatha.
Honorable mention
Reagan Gerety, Nemaha Central; Sadie Gross, Holton; Madison Blackwood, Royal Valley; Gracie Scofield, Riley County; Harriet Dean, Jefferson West; Hope Billings, Perry-Lecompton; Sydney Sumner, Rossville; Cami Dalinghaus, Nemaha Central; Isabel Hurla, St. Marys; Paige Heiman, Silver Lake.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Tayson Horak
TAYSON HORAK, Rossville
A senior quarterback, Horak scored three touchdowns as Rossville's football team advanced to the Class 1A state quarterfinals with a 42-0 win over McLouth Friday night. Horak scored on runs of 3, 55 and 28 yards as the Bulldawgs improved to 7-3 on the season with their seventh straight victory.
Max Huston
MAX HUSTON, Seaman
Huston, a senior quarterback, had a hand in five touchdowns Friday night as 8-2 Seaman advanced to the Class 5A football quarterfinals with a 43-16 home win over Valley Center. Huston rushed for 117 yards on 14 carries against the Hornets, scoring touchdowns on runs of 1, 51, 4 and 8 yards and completed 16 of 25 passes for 272 yards, including a 39-yard TD pass.
Andrew Orr
ANDREW ORR, Washburn University
A senior frontliner, Orr scored a total of 40 points as Washburn men's basketball opened the season with a pair of double-digit wins. Orr scored 21 points (9 of 11 shooting from the field) in the Ichabods' 89-71 win over Sioux Falls on Friday and scored 19 points and grabbed eight rebounds on Saturday as WU knocked off defending Division II national champion Minnesota State, 85-68.
The 2024 All-Shawnee County girls cross country team: Front row, from left -- Stella Appelhanz, Seaman; Kinley Robinson, Seaman; Ryin Miller, Seaman; Brynn Spencer, Seaman; Sofia Harper, Hayden; Elliot Wrench, Hayden. Back row, from left -- coach Matt Swedlund, Washburn Rural; Emily Graf, Washburn Rural; Rylee Ismert, Washburn Rural; Kenzie Maddox, Washburn Rural; Payton Fink, Washburn Rural; Brooklyn Nolte, Washburn Rural. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
A whopping nine first-team repeat selections and seven state medalists headline the 2024 All-Shawnee County girls cross country team.
Leading the way are top-five individual state finishers Ryin Miller of Seaman and Rylee Ismert and Payton Fink of Washburn Rural, with Miller, a junior, the Class 5A runnerup and seniors Ismert and Fink finishing third and fifth in 6A.
Hayden senior Elliot Wrench posted a sixth-place finish in 4A while junior Emily Graf placed 14th in 6A and Seaman senior Stella Appelhanz and sophomore Brynn Spencer finished 17th and 18th in 5A.
Miller, Ismert, Fink, Wrench, Graf, Appelhanz and Spencer are all first-team All-Shawnee County repeat picks along with Washburn Rural senior Brooklyn Nolte and Hayden sophomore Sofia Harper.
Earning first-team all-county honors for the first time are Washburn Rural junior Kenzie Maddox and Seaman sophomore Kinley Robinson.
Washburn Rural coach Matt Swedlund was named the girls Shawnee County coach of the year after his Junior Blues swept city, Centennial League and Class 6A regional team titles and tied for the 6A team championship, finishing second to five-time champion Olathe West on a tiebreaker.
All-Shawnee County girls capsules:
