Rossville Bulldawgs

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Silver Lake sophomore Kendrick VandeVelde, senior Dayne Johnson and junior Owen Rottinghaus and Rossville senior Conner Bush received All-Big East League first-team football recognition for the 2025 season.

Conner Bush, Rossville

Dayne Johnson, Silver Lake

VandeVelde was named to the first-team offensive line, while Johnson was a first-team pick at wide receiver and Rottinghaus the all-league returner after helping lead Silver Lake to a 7-3 record.

Bush was named to the All-Big East first-team defense at defensive back after helping the 11-2 Bulldawgs advance to the Class 1A state championship game.

Silver Lake's Johnson (defensive back) and senior Jayden Waterer (linebacker) were named to the all-league second team as were Rossville junior Charlie Chance (offensive lineman), senior Jack Donovan (defensive back) and senior Andre Johnson (linebacker).

Rossville and Silver Lake combined for 12 honorable mention picks.   

2025 ALL-BIG EAST LEAGUE FOOTBALL

First team offense

Line -- Caleb McCrory, sr., Holton; Hendryx Wahl, sr., Nemaha Central; Holden Edelman, jr., Sabetha; Camden Wittwer, jr., Sabetha; Kendrick VandeVelde, so., Silver Lake.

Quarterback -- Carter Hajek, sr., Nemaha Central.

Running back -- Will Voos, sr., Sabetha; Korleone Holz, sr., St. Marys. 

Tight end -- Reid Mitchell, sr., Sabetha.

Wide receiver -- Brody Schwinn, jr., Jefferson West; Dayne Johnson, sr., Silver Lake.

First team defense

Line -- Osiris Unruh, sr., Jefferson West; Danny Childress, jr., Nemaha Central; Kyler Ganstrom, sr., Nemaha Central; Holden Edelman, jr., Sabetha; Roger Browning, sr., St. Marys.

Linebacker -- Cael Frazier, sr., Holton; Jack Macke, sr., Nemaha Central; Amos Brakenhoff, sr., Perry-Lecompton.

Defensive back -- Caleb Strathman, sr., Nemaha Central; Conner Bush, sr., Rossville; Griffin Cumpton, sr., Royal Valley;  Curtis Fitzgerald, jr., Sabetha.

All-purpose -- Cole Menold, sr., Sabetha.

Kicker -- Jayton Meyer, jr., Sabetha.

Punter -- Jayton Meyer, jr., Sabetha. 

Returner -- Owen Rottinghaus, jr., Silver Lake.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

JADYN BAUM, Washburn Rural

Baum, a junior, earned first-team All-Shawnee County recognition at 190 pounds last season after posting a 28-6 record and a third-place finish in the Class 6A state tournament for Washburn Rural, which finished third as a team. Baum is ranked No. 4 at 190 pounds in the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association All-Class rankings and is top-ranked in 6A at 215. 

BRENNEN BOWERS, Seaman

A senior 157-pounder, Bowers is currently ranked No. 1 in Class 5A by the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association in its preseason rankings. Bowers was a 5A state qualifier last season and earned All-Shawnee County honorable mention for the Vikings.

BRODY BROWN, Shawnee Heights

Brown, a junior, is a two-time Class 5A state qualifier and earned second-team All-Shawnee County recognition last season at 138 pounds. Brown is expected to wrestle at 150 pounds this winter and is currently ranked No. 3 in 5A by the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association in its preseason rankings.

KAYDEN CLELLAND, Silver Lake

A junior 165-pounder, Clelland was a second-team All-Shawnee County selection last season after winning a Class 4A regional championship to qualify for state with a 32-11 record through regional competition.  

RYDER FOSTER, Rossville

Foster, a sophomore 106-pounder, is currently ranked No. 5 in Class 3A-1A by the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association in its second preseason rankings. Foster was a state qualifier as a freshman, posting a fourth-place regional finish.

JOSE GOMEZ, Topeka High

Gomez, a junior, posted a 24-13 record last season at 106 pounds and earned All-Shawnee County first-team recognition. Gomez is currently ranked No. 4 in the Class 6A preseason rankings by the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association.

RYDER HARRISON, Washburn Rural

Harrison, a senior 120-pounder, was a first-team All-Shawnee County selection last season, posting a 27-15 record for the Junior Blues and finishing sixth in Class 6A. Harrison is ranked No. 4 at 120 pounds in the second of two Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association 6A preseason rankings.

EVAN JOHNSON, Shawnee Heights

Johnson, a senior, received All-Shawnee County honorable mention last season and is a three-time Class 5A state qualifier for the T-Birds. Johnson is expected to wrestle at 165 pounds this season and is currently ranked No. 5 in 5A by the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association.

Brodye Kocher-Munoz, Washburn Rural

BRODYE KOCHER-MUNOZ, Washburn Rural

A junior 150-pounder, Kocher-Munoz was a first-team All-Shawnee County selection last season for Washburn Rural, posting a 16-7 record on the season and finishing fourth in Class 6A for the third-place Junior Blues. Munoz is ranked third at 150 pounds in the second of two Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association 6A preseason rankings and 10th in the All-Class rankings.

Landen Kocher-Munoz, Washburn Rural

LANDEN KOCHER-MUNOZ, Washburn Rural

Kocher-Munoz, a senior 138-pounder, captured his second Class 6A state championship last season in his third straight trip to the state finals. Kocher-Munoz posted a 30-3 record, earning All-Shawnee County first-team recognition for a third straight season. Kocher-Munoz is top-ranked in 6A and No. 3 in the All-Class rankings by the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association.

 Jude Krentz, Hayden

JUDE KRENTZ, Hayden

A senior, Krentz earned first-team All-Shawnee County honors last season at 175 pounds last season after earning his third straight trip to the Class 4A state tournament. Krentz posted a 42-2 record en route to a fourth-place state finish and is currently ranked No. 7 in the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association All-Class rankings and No. 2 in 4A.

KAIDEN MARSHALL, Washburn Rural

A sophomore 215-pounder, Marshall was named the Shawnee County newcomer of the year last season while also earning all-county first-team recognition. Marshall, who posted a 17-11 record and finished fourth in Class 6A for the third-place Junior Blues, is expected to move up to 285 pounds this season and is ranked No. 4 in the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association preseason rankings.

Caleb Menke, Hayden

CALEB MENKE, Hayden

Menke, a junior 157-pounder, was a second-team All-Shawnee County selection last season after qualifying for the Class 4A state meet with a second-place regional finish. Menke is ranked sixth in 4A in the second of two Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association preseason rankings and is 10th-ranked in the All-Class rankings.

By TODD FERTIG

TopSports.news

Rossville’s pursuit of a Class 1A state football title came up just short in a dramatic battle, with Sterling defeating the Bulldawgs 35-34 at Hutchinson Community College Friday.

Rossville senior quarterback Canann Mitchell ran for three touchdowns and threw for a TD in Friday's 35-34 loss to Sterling in the Class 1A state championship game. [Photo by Jesse Bruner/Special to TSN]

The Bulldawgs battled back when they were on the verge of getting blown out in the second period. Trailing 21-6 and unable to stop the Sterling rushing attack, Rossville turned the game around in the final two minutes of the first half. An 11-play drive ended with a touchdown pass from Canann Mitchell to Connor Bush to cut the deficit to 21-14.

The Bulldawgs took the second half kickoff and marched down the field to tie the game. Seizing the momentum,  Rossville’s defense throttled Sterling’s rushing attack – which had accounted for 235 yards in the first half – forcing Sterling’s lone punt of the game.

Just as the second half ended with a Rossville touchdown, the third period ended with Mitchell running in from 2 yards out to give the Bulldawgs their first lead of the day, 28-21.

“We got together at halftime and went over some things that we needed to do better,” Rossville coach Derick Hammes said. “We didn’t change anything. We just did better at what we originally planned to do. We put a hat on them and we blocked them. We didn’t turn the football over and we had some rhythm offensively. It gave us a chance to win.”

Sterling senior Zane Farney rushed for 279 yards and three touchdowns in Friday's 35-34 win over Rossville in the Class 1A state championship game. [Photo by Jesse Bruner/Special to TSN]

Suddenly in danger, Sterling put the ball in the hands of Zane Farney, who had accounted for more than 2,000 rushing on the season. A couple of long carries by the senior quickly tied the game. By the time the day was over. Farney had rushed for 279 yards and three touchdowns on 27 carries.

Rossville responded to Sterling’s quick strike with a methodical drive. The Bulldawgs chewed up half of the fourth period on a march that ended with Mitchell’s third touchdown run of the game.

The Bulldawgs led 34-28 and had a decision to make. As Mitchell crossed the goal line, his facemask was grabbed by a Sterling defender. With the option to attempt a two-point conversion from inside the 2-yard line, Rossville decided to kick the point-after and assess the penalty yards to the kickoff. But Sterling’s Jacob Lewis leaped high to block the kick, freezing Rossville’s lead at six with 6:36 left.

Having been gashed for much of the day by the Sterling rushing attack, Rossville limited the Black Bears to short runs. But Sterling converted three fourth-down attempts to keep the drive going.

Having advanced to the Rossville 24-yard line with just one minute remaining, Sterling shocked the Bulldawgs by sending its quarterback back to pass for just the second time of the game. Logan Isaac floated a pass over the middle which Lewis – the man who blocked the Rossville PAT – leaped to corral at the goal line. It was just Sterling’s 10th pass completion of the season.

“I think every time I call a pass play, my kids look at me a little bit funny, and they’re like, ‘Are you sure?’ ” Sterling coach Brent Schneider said. “But we practice throwing the ball. We have confidence in our guys, and we’ve got playmakers.”

“We talked about (Sterling attempting a pass), but it was executed really well, and it was thrown into a crowd, so their kid made a play,” Hammes said. “That’s what you’ve got to do to win championships, make a play down the stretch.”

Sterling’s kicker punched the ball through the uprights to give the Black Bears a 35-34 lead.

Rossville had 52 seconds to respond, but only reached the Sterling 29 before a sack, a penalty and a short pass ended the Bulldawgs’ season.

“It was a good football game,” Hammes said. “Congratulations to Sterling. They made a play or two down the stretch that was the difference maker. I felt like our kids made some plays throughout the game as well, but it didn’t work out for us today.”

“We said at halftime it was going to be a dogfight,” Schneider said. “(Rossville) made some great adjustments. They put some stuff together They’re a great program with a great coaching staff. I talked to them before the game and I said, ‘I look up to you guys.’ They’ve got great tradition and we’re starting some tradition.”

Mitchell ran for 149 yards and threw for 193 to lead Rossville. The Bulldawgs finished the season 11-2, the only other loss coming to Nemaha Central, which goes for a 2A title on Saturday.

Rossville senior Andre Johnson reacts during Friday's 35-34 loss to Sterling in the Class 1A state championship game. [Photo by Jesse Bruner/Special to TSN]

“These kids have battled. Especially these seniors in their career here. They gave us a chance to win,” Hammes said. “Gutty, classy. We did things the right way and they cared about each other. It’s just a special group, and I’ll remember them just like a champion.”

STERLING 35, ROSSVILLE 34

By TODD FERTIG

TopSports.news

For the third year in a row, the Hayden Wildcats came up short in the state championship game at Hutchinson. And for the second consecutive year, the Wildcats hung close with Andale, only to see the game turn into a double-digit defeat late.

Kade Mitchell (25) scored Hayden's lone touchdown on a pass from Connor Hanika (3) in the Wildcats' 38-6 loss to Andale Friday in Hutchinson. [Photo by Jesse Bruner/Special to TSN]

Hayden fell to the Indians by a score of 38-6 in Friday's Class 3A championship game Hutchinson Community College's Gowans Stadium, a rematch of the Wildcats' 36-19 loss to Andale a year ago.

The game got away from the Wildcats late, but the final score is misleading.

“Until the very end, we felt like we had a shot,” Hayden coach Bill Arnold said. “I felt like we would do really well defensively, and then we would give up a big play. We had opportunities early on. We didn’t capitalize on them.”

Hayden stopped Andale’s long opening drive at the 4-yard line. The Wildcats then ran off 16 plays, burning up the rest of the first period, flipping the field, but failing to produce points. Hayden was forced to punt, pinning the Indians at the 9-yard line. A couple of big plays brought Andale to the doorstep, where Indian quarterback Samuel Harp plunged in from the 1-yard line.

The Indians scored again just before the half and led 16-0 at the intermission.

The Wildcats temporarily took the momentum following the break, marching 69 yards on 11 plays and finishing the drive with a 7-yard scoring pass from Connor Hanika to Kade Mitchell.

Despite a failed attempt for two points, the scoring drive breathed life into the Wildcats. Three plays into the ensuing Andale drive, Hayden defensive back Mason Becker intercepted an Andale pass, giving the Wildcats the ball at midfield trailing by just 10 points.

But after moving to the Andale 35, Hayden mishandled a reverse, turning the ball over and squandering the momentum.

“We got a nice interception there and then we just turned the ball right back over,” Arnold said. “It’s uncharacteristic of our kids because we didn’t fumble the ball this year. I think (we had) maybe two fumbles the entire year.”

Hayden seniors Andrew Rohr (52), Jackson McGivern (36) and Xander Blasing (6) react at the end of Friday's 38-6 loss to Andale in the Class 3A state title game. [Photo by Jesse Bruner/Special to TSN]

From that point on, it was all Andale. The Indians hammered out three quick touchdowns, turning a 16-6 struggle into a 38-6 rout as Andale won its sixth state crown over the past seven seasons.

Miscues foiled the Wildcats’ chances. Hayden turned the ball over twice on interceptions in addition to the lost fumble. The Wildcats generated just 245 total yards and were penalized for 55 yards.

“We played too inconsistent,” Arnold said. “We had some really good sets and some really good plays, and then we come back and fumble the ball here, or we’re slow getting in and out of the huddle, getting the calls. I don’t know exactly what happened there. But at the same time, you’ve got to tip your cap (to Andale). They’ve got a good program.”

Hayden junior Mason Becker (4) tackles Andale quarterback Samuel Harp in Friday's Class 3A state championship game at Hutchinson. [Photo by Jesse Bruner/Special to TSN]

The Indians capped their second straight undefeated season with a win over Hayden. And for the second year in a row, the Andale attack featured quarterback Harp. The senior raced for 144 yards on 17 carries and added three touchdowns to his total of 30 going into Friday. Andale outrushed Hayden 330 yards to 104.

Hayden senior Xander Blasing caught six passes for 67 yards in Friday's 38-6 loss to Andale in the Class 3A state championship game. [Photo by Jesse Bruner/Special to TSN]

Hanika threw for 133 yards to lead senior-laden Hayden. Mitchell returned from a recent injury to provide 60 yards from scrimmage and several long kickoff returns. Xander Blasing caught six passes for 67 yards.

“We’ve got a great group of seniors and it’s sad that we weren’t able to finish off the right way for them tonight,” Arnold said. “This group of seniors, they work hard. They showed good leadership all year long, and we just came up short for them tonight.”

ANDALE 38, HAYDEN 6

By TODD FERTIG

TopSports.news

Topeka High graduate Robbie Sanders, a longtime assistant at Topeka High and Shawnee Heights, recorded his first victory as a head coach Thursday as his alma mater ran away from guest Wamego, 82-54.

Former Topeka High star Robbie Sanders notched his first win as a head coach Thursday night, with the Trojans rolling to an 82-54 win over Wamego. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

The Trojans demonstrated some firepower they didn’t have a year ago when they won just one game against 19 losses. Thursday, Topeka High exploded out of the gate for 26 first-quarter points, then put up another 26 in the second period to lead 52-29 at the half.

“I’ve been waiting my whole life for this moment. I’m just so happy and proud to lead these guys in this program,” Sanders said. “I was emotional. I feel like I put a lot of work in over the years, and I’ve prepared for this moment. But my emotions… I struggled. I saw my dad. I saw my mom up there, and I almost lost it. I had to go back in the office and sit down for a little while.

“But I knew the guys were ready. I knew we would play pretty well, but they surprised the heck out of me by how hard they competed tonight.”

In the locker room, Sanders was presented the game ball by Topeka High administrators in recognition of his first victory. And he had some familiar faces – the Shawnee Heights team – in the stands behind him. Sanders even paused at halftime to shake the hands of the T-Birds in attendance and thank them for being there.

“That’s my family. I love those guys at Shawnee Heights, coach (Ken) Darting and all the players, and I was really happy to see them,” Sanders said. “It feels a little weird not coaching them anymore. But I love the guys that I got right now.”

Senior Bryson McComas scored a game-high 24 points Thursday as Topeka High opened its season with an 82-54 win over Wamego. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

Sanders started five seniors who combined for 69 of the Trojans’ 82 points. Bryson McComas led the team with 24 points, with Elisha Guest and Jalen Aldridge tossing in 16 and 15, respectively.

“These seniors believed. They never gave up,” Sanders said. “Any of them could have tried to quit, transfer, go somewhere else and see greener pastures. They believed in each other. They believed in me.”

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

CLASS 1A

STERLING (12-0) vs. ROSSVILLE (11-1)

1 p.m. Friday at Hutchinson Community College

Rossville, the No. 4 Class 1A East seed, earned a shot at its sixth state championship with a come-from-behind 21-18 semifinal win at No. 2 East seed Jackson Heights last Friday while No. 1 West seed Sterling remained undefeated with a 14-6 win over previously-unbeaten Smith Center.

The Bulldawgs have won nine straight games, with Rossville's lone loss a 56-28 Week 3 loss to Nemaha Central, which is in the 2A state championship game for the second straight season. Sterling's closest game of the season was a 44-42 state quarterfinal win over Hutchinson Trinity.

Canann Mitchell, Rossville

Rossville senior quarterback Canann Mitchell has completed 109 of 164 passes for 1,578 yards and 18 touchdowns with just one interception and has rushed for 1,013 yards and 18 TDs on 139 attempts.

Cameron Miller, Rossville

Jack Donovan, Rossville

Senior Cameron Miller has 32 catches for 523 yards and eight TDs while senior Jack Donovan has 38 grabs for 543 yards and three touchdowns.

Conner Bush, Rossville

Senior Conner Bush has rushed for 685 yards and 10 TDs on 69 carries.

Andre Johnson, Rossville 

Senior Andre Johnson leads the Bulldawgs with 119 tackles (64 solo) while Bush has 99 stops (34 solo). Junior Charlie Chance has registered 49 stops (39 solo), including 14.5 tackles for loss.

Sterling senior running back Zane Farney has carried the ball 188 times for 2,047 yards and 39 touchdowns while senior Wyatt Newberry has rushed for 1,034 yards and 14 TDs and has 98 tackles (62 solo) with four interceptions.

Sophomore Jacob Lewis leads Sterling with 156 tackles (95 solo), including 15 tackles for loss.

Sterling senior quarterback Logan Isaac has thrown for 209 yards and rushed for 403 yards and 10 TDs on 56 attempts.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

BROOKLYN BINKLEY, Shawnee Heights

A junior, Binkley was a second-team All-Shawnee County pick last season after placing sixth in the Class 5A state tournament and helping Shawnee Heights earn the third-place team trophy in 5A. Binkley is currently ranked No. 4 in 5A at 170 pounds by the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association in its preseason rankings.

Emme Blanco, Washburn Rural

EMME BLANCO, Washburn Rural

Blanco, a senior, earned first-team All-Shawnee County honors last season after posting a 35-10 record and finishing fourth in the Class 6A state tournament at 140 pounds. Blanco is ranked No. 6 in the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association All-Class preseason rankings at 145 and is ranked third in 6A.

MADI BLANCO, Washburn Rural

A senior, Blanco earned first-team All-Shawnee County recognition for the second straight season after posting a 30-8 record and finishing fourth in the Class 6A state tournament at 135 pounds. Blanco is ranked eighth in the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association All-Class preseason rankings at 140 pounds and is ranked No. 3 in 6A. 

CONNIE BURNS, Highland Park

Burns, a senior, posted a 22-7 record and was a second-team All-Shawnee County selection last season at 115 pounds after finishing sixth in the Class 5A state tournament in her first season at Highland Park. Burns in ranked No. 5 in the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association 5A preseason rankings at 115.

Makayla Cadet, Highland Park

MAKAYLA CADET, Highland Park

Cadet, a senior, captured the Class 5A state championship at 190 pounds last season, capping a 23-4 season for the Scots with the school's first girls state championship. Cadet was named the Shawnee County wrestler of the year for the 2024-2025 season and is ranked No. 2 in the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association All-Class preseason rankings and is also ranked second in 5A.

Cianna Graves, Shawnee Heights

CIANNA GRAVES, Shawnee Heights

A senior 155-pounder, Graves is a three-time Class 5A state placer, including a third-place finish last season as Shawnee Heights earned the third-place team trophy in 5A. Graves, who went 39-3 on the season, was an All-Shawnee County first-season repeater. Graves is currently ranked No. 7 in the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association All-Class rankings and is No. 3 in 5A.

AVA GUTIERREZ, Shawnee Heights

Gutierrez, a sophomore 100-pounder, earned All-Shawnee County first-team recognition last season after qualifying for the Class 5A state tournament for Shawnee Heights, which posted a third-place team finish in 5A. Gutierrez posted a 19-13 record as a freshman.

AUDREY HINKLY, Shawnee Heights

Hinkly, a junior 120-pounder, was a second-team All-Shawnee County selection last season after placing fourth in the Class 5A state tournament and helping Shawnee Heights earn the third-place team trophy in 5A. Hinkly is currently ranked No. 3 in 5A by the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association. 

OLIVE JONES, Shawnee Heights

A sophomore, Jones was named the Shawnee County newcomer of the year last season after qualifying for the Class 5A state tournament at 135 pounds. Jones, who was named to the all-county second team, is expected to wrestle at 140 pounds for the T-Birds this winter and is ranked fifth at that weight by the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association.

JANIAH MATTHIE-JOHNSON, Washburn Rural

Matthie-Johnson was a Class 6A state qualifier last season as a freshman at 190 pounds, earning All-Shawnee County  second-tean recognition, but is expected to wrestle at 155 pounds this season. Matthie-Johnson is currently ranked sixth at 155 in 6A by the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association. 

By TODD FERTIG

TopSports.news

Canaan Mitchell’s moment has arrived.

Slathered in mud that caked his eyebrows and cheeks, the Rossville quarterback paused amidst the raucous celebration on the Jackson Heights field to reflect on the Bulldawgs season, the upcoming trip to the state title game, and all that led to this moment.

Rossville senior quarterback Canann Mitchell starred in adverse conditions last Friday, leading the Bulldawgs to the Class 1A state title game with a 21-18 win at Jackson Heights. [Photo by Todd Fertig/TSN]

Mitchell had just led his team to a 21-18 come-from-behind victory to earn a trip to Hutchinson, site of the Class 1A state championship game. The field conditions Friday required that Mitchell carry the team to victory. The slick field and muddy ball turned the game against the Cobras into a battle of quarterbacks. Both signal callers rushed the ball repeatedly, slipping and sliding in search of openings to run up field.

Jackson Heights’ quarterback, senior Drake Mellies, dashed to 168 yards on 29 carries -- providing essentially all the Cobras’ offense -- even though Rossville knew what to expect. It was an impressive rushing effort that Mitchell nearly matched.

“He’s a good player,” Mitchell said of Mellies. “We game-planned for him all week, and he’s fast and he was good. So, we just planned on him, stopping him, and that’s what we did. He got a few broken loose, but we stopped him in the end, so that’s all that matters.”

The difference in the game was Mitchell’s ability, in spite of the conditions, to effectively pick apart the Cobras through the air. What else would you expect from a kid who’s first name is pronounced “cannon”?

Having given Rossville its first score on a 51-yard burst through the slop on the game’s opening drive, Mitchell turned to the air. He hit receiver Cael Horgan for a 10-yard touchdown in the second period. He went right back to Horgan on the same play design for the two-point conversion.

“He’s a great quarterback,” Horgan said of Mitchell. “He kept his hands clean. He was throwing a great ball all game, put it right where we needed it.”

Rossville senior quarterback Canann Mitchell has rushed and passed for more than 1,000 yards, helping lead the Bulldawgs to the Class 1A state title game. [File photo/TSN]

Mitchell really started clicking in the second half. He completed six of eight throws, including a 20-yard strike to Horgan that proved to be the winning touchdown.

“I had to get a little confidence in myself,” Mitchell said. “In the warmups I was throwing the ball all over the place. I had to get the confidence back in me and throw it around and trust my receivers.”

“That was in the game plan,” Rossville coach Derick Hammes said of the passing attack. “I thought that was there for us, and it just allowed us to kind of get some rhythm on offense to kind of move the ball, distribute it around the field a little bit.”

In addition to slipping on several running cuts, Mitchell lost his footing numerous times when setting up to throw. The conditions contributed to at least three quarterback sacks, which cut into the senior’s rushing stats. He finished with 94 yards on the ground, but sacks subtracted 21 yards from what would have been an even more impressive total. Desperate to control the ball and protect a lead, Rossville needed Mitchell to manage the slick track.

“Right at the end there when I slipped, my dad yelled at me to keep my feet under me,” Mitchell said. “But I just, like he said, (it was) trying to keep your feet under you…quick, choppy steps. That’s what I had to do.”

In the biggest game of his career, Mitchell completed 8 of 12 passes for 105 yards and two touchdowns. The senior has been building to this moment for a long time. He grew up watching the Bulldawgs win five state titles. Rossville won three straight Class 3A championships – 2014-2016 – in Hutchinson. It then won back-to-back Class 2A titles in Salina in 2020 and 2021.

“(In 2021), I was a sideline ball boy,” Mitchell recalled. “And just seeing them after they won the game, come together and cheer and everything, that was big to me being on the sideline. I always told my dad I wanted (a championship) ever since I was watching all of them.”

By VINCE LOVERGINE

TopSports.news

Injuries were the story to be told about the Rossville girls basketball team last season, with three key players missing extended time.

Fortunately, it's a new clean slate this year with a lot of returners hopeful of making a state tournament run, something the Bulldawgs have not had since 2006 when they took third. 

Rylee Dick returns for her senior season for Rossville after earning All-Class 2A recognition last season. [File photo/TSN]

Junior Nore Burdiek (22) is a top returner for Rossville girls basketball after missing 11 games with an injury a year ago. [File photo/TSN]

It’s year two of the Derek Dick era with the Rossville girls after ending last season at 10-12 and Dick will build this year's team around his senior daughter, Rylee Dick, an All-Class 2A first-team selection last season, and junior standout Nora Burdiek. 

“We had the best first week of practice that I’ve ever had in my 16 years of coaching and we’re really excited to get going,” Dick said.

Something coach Dick doesn’t want to do this season is take things for granted.

“I was really excited going into last year and I thought we were going to have a great year,'' Derek Dick said. "We have a talented group right now, so I need to do a better job of enjoying it and enjoying the ride and not living or dying on every play every game.

"Sports are big here at Rossville and I want to make sure that every kid that goes through here looks back with good and positive memories.''

Burdiek is back from injury and coming off an All-State season in volleyball while Rylee Dick is looking to end her prep career with a banner campaign after signing with Division II Rockhurst and Maggie Sanders and Lily Mitchell are among the other Bulldawgs who have stood out in the early going.

Coach Dick said he has noticed that the girls who helped Rossville's volleyball team qualify for the 2A state tournament realize this is their last go round in basketball, too, and said the sense of urgency is at an all-time high. On top of that, Dick said that he could see some freshman contributing and earning some minutes this season, too.

The scrappiness will be the key ingredient for this Bulldawgs team and Dick said they’ve been very connected on the defensive end.

By VINCE LOVERGINE

TopSports.news

Brandon McDonnell said one thing he thought about, and even brought up to his team when he took the head coaching job three years ago, was why should Rossville boys basketball be two easy wins on anyone's schedule?

Rossville senior Jakoby McDonnell helped the Bulldawgs reach the Class 2A state tournament last season. [File photo/TSN]

“I wanted to make sure that we would be the ones that people look at the schedule and say, ‘Oh we play Rossville, it’s going to be tough for us.' We wanted to switch it around,” senior Jakoby McDonnell said.

This past season, Rossville finished 16-8 and made it to the state tournament before losing in the first round to Ell-Saline. That was the Bulldawgs' first state tournament appearance since 2011.

“They want that again,'' said Brandon McDonnell, a former Topeka High standout and Topeka West assistant. "For us to go down there and play at Bramlage, that was an experience in itself. It was amazing and that’s all I can say. For these guys, especially this group this year that are seniors, they were freshmen when I got hired.

"To see this development, and to see what has transpired as they get older, their IQ becomes a little wiser, getting bigger, taller and stronger, you’re seeing the benefits that we’ve worked so hard to get.” 

McDonnell won seven games in his first season as a head coach and has won a combined 31 games the last two campaigns. Before that, the last time Rossville had double-digit wins was the 2016-2017 season.

Brock Bush, Tayson Horack, Cam Budura were some key pieces Rossville lost to graduation off last year's team, but McDonnell said the kids understand how much work goes into what they’re building and they had more numbers turn out this year than his first year on the job. 

As the football team prepares for its state championship game on Friday, Rossville has been short-handed for the start of preseason practice, but he’s thrilled for some of those guys to take home some hardware this weekend and incorporate them after football season.

By RICK PETERSON             

TopSports.news

Jalen Aldridge, Topeka High

JALEN ALDRIDGE, Topeka High

Aldridge, a 6-foot-1 senior, averaged a team-high 12.3 points for Topeka High last season, earning TopSports.news All-Shawnee County honorable mention. Aldridge shot 43 percent on two-point field goal attempts and connected on 26 3-pointers while averaging 3.6 rebounds and 1.5 steals and shooting 70 percent from the free throw line.    

JA'VEON ALSTON, Shawnee Heights

A 5-10 senior point guard, Alston received All-Shawnee County and United Kansas Conference honorable mention last season after helping Shawnee Heights post a 19-4 record en route to a second straight trip to the Class 5A state tournament. A standout defender, Alston averaged 2.7 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.3 assists for the T-Birds as a junior.  

Mason Becker, Hayden

MASON BECKER, Hayden

A 5-11 junior guard, Becker was named to the TSN All-Shawnee County Second 10 last season after averaging 10.1 points with 36 3-pointers, while shooting 36 percent from outside the arc. Becker also averaged 2.8 rebounds for the Wildcats. Becker will get a late start on preseason basketball practice after helping lead the Wildcats football team to their third straight Class 3A state championship game Saturday in Hutchinson.

KaeVon Bonner, Seaman

KAEVON BONNER, Seaman

Bonner, a 6-4 senior, is a two-time All-Shawnee County and All-United Kansas Conference first-team pick after being named the Shawnee County co-newcomer of the year and receiving honorable mention as a freshman. Bonner averaged 19 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 2.9 steals this past season for the 13-8 Vikings while hitting 49 3-pointers and shooting 77 percent from the free throw line.

CALEB CLEVERDON, Cair Paravel Latin

A senior, Cleverdon will be counted on heavily this winter as Cair Paravel looks to improve on last season's 10-11 record. Cleverson averaged 7.6 points last season while connecting on 33 3-pointers and shooting 35 percent from outside the arc. Cleverdon also averaged 4.5 rebounds and 1.2 steals as a junior. 

JAI'MARION COOK, Shawnee Heights

Cook, a 5-9 senior guard, averaged 5.9 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.4 assists last season while helping Shawnee Heights post an 19-4 record and advance to the Class 5A state tournament for the second straight season. Cook connected on 30 3-pointers as a junior while shooting 38 percent from outside the 3-point line. 

Jack Donovan, Rossville

JACK DONOVAN, Rossville

A 5-11 senior, Donovan made the All-Shawnee County Top 10 for the second straight season after averaging 18.7 points with 62 3-pointers while shooting 40 percent from 3-point range and 78.4 percent from the free throw line. Donovan helped lead the Bulldawgs to a 16-8 record and a Class 2A state tournament berth last season. Donovan, a first-team All-Big East League pick, is also a standout in golf and football, helping Rossville reach the Class 1A state football title game on Friday in Hutchinson.

Malakyah Duncan, Topeka West

MALAKYAH DUNCAN, Topeka West

Duncan, a 6-4 senior, received second-team All-Shawnee County and All-United Kansas Conference recognition last season after helping lead the Chargers to the Class 5A state tournament, where West lost in the quarterfinals to state champ Kapaun Mt. Carmel. Duncan averaged 11.3 points, 3.0 assists and 1.8 steals as a junior while shooting 55 percent on two-point field goal attempts. 

ONTARIUS EMMOT, Shawnee Heights

Emmot, a 6-4 senior forward, received TSN All-Shawnee County and All-United Kansas Conference honorable mention last season after helping Shawnee Heights post a 19-4 record and advance to the Class 5A state tournament for the second straight season. Emmot averaged 7.3 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.6 assists as a junior while draining 29 treys on the season.

Elisha Guest, Topeka High

ELISHA GUEST, Topeka High

A 5-7 senior, Guest received All-Shawnee County honorable mention last season after averaging 11.6 points while connecting on 49 3-pointers and shooting 36 percent from outside the arc. Guest also averaged 2.6 assists and 1.2 steals for the Trojans last season. 

Connor Hanika, Hayden

CONNOR HANIKA, Hayden

Hanika, a 6-5 senior, received All-Shawnee County second-team honors last season after averaging 10.1 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.6 steals while shooting 48 percent on two-point field goals. Hanika is Hayden's starting quarterback in football, helping the Wildcats reach their third straight Class 3A state championship game.

John Hoytal, Washburn Rural 

JOHN HOYTAL, Washburn Rural

A 6-foot-2 senior forward, Hoytal received All-Shawnee County and All-Centennial League honorable mention last season after helping the 18-5 Junior Blues win the Centennial League title and advance to the Class 6A state tournament. Hoytal averaged 9.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.4 steals last season while shooting 57 percent on two-point field goals and 73 percent from the free throw line. 

Dayne Johnson, Silver Lake

DAYNE JOHNSON, Silver Lake

Johnson, a 6-2 senior, helped lead the Eagles to a 20-6 record and a third-place finish in the Class 3A state tournament in 2024-2025. A first-team All-Big East League selection, Johnson moved up to the TSN All-Shawnee County Top 10 last season after being a Second 10 pick as a sophomore. Johnson is a multi-sport standout for the Eagles, earning All-Shawnee County Top 22 honors as a junior.

Lucas Marichal, Cair Paravel

LUCAS MARICHAL, Cair Paravel

A senior, Marichal is a key returner for Cair Paravel Latin, which will by looking to improve on last season's 10-11 record. Marichal averaged 9.0 points a year ago while connecting on 28 3-pointers and shooting 80 percent from the free throw line. 

By TODD FERTIG

TopSports.news

Rossville defensive back Cale Horak cradled the ball just inches above the muddy turf. Then he rolled on his side, his uniform more brown than white, and held the ball aloft to show his teammates and the Rossville contingent that traveled to Jackson Heights that the Bulldawgs were heading to the state championship.

Rossville celebrates Friday's 21-18 Class 1A semifinal victory at Jackson Heights. [Photo by Todd Fertig/TSN]

Rossville shut down Jackson Heights in the second half and clawed back to win 21-18 Friday to punch the school’s ticket to the Class 1A state championship game next Friday at Hutchinson Community College, where they will face undefeated Sterling.

Rossville will make its first trip back to the state championship since winning back-to-back Class 2A titles in Salina in 2020 and 2021 under coach Derick Hammes. Prior to that, Hammes guided the Bulldawgs to three straight 3A championships, 2014-2016, in Hutchinson.

“It never gets old, I say,” Hammes said. “It’ll be back in Hutch and we’ve got good memories there, and our folks will travel well. And the bottom line is this group of kids, they have done a great job of the buy in and trusting the process. They just deserved a chance.”

The center of the rain-soaked field at Jackson Heights was a brown paste, and the treacherous portion of the field expanded as the night wore on. The muck caked the competitors jerseys and pants and made holding onto the ball and finding footing difficult. Jackson Heights was limited almost exclusively to quarterback runs, and senior Drake Mellies put forth a valiant effort. He rushed for 168 yards on 29 carries, even though Rossville knew he was coming.

“They weren’t great,” Hammes said of the field conditions. “I’m sure we probably both would have liked a better playing surface. But you’ve got to play the hand you’re dealt and both of us did.”

Rossville senior quarterback Canann Mitchell ran for a TD and threw for two scores in the Bulldawgs' 21-18 Class 1A sub-state win over Jackson Heights. [Photo by Todd Fertig/TSN]

Rossville quarterback Canann Mitchell dashed through the mud for a 51-yard score five plays into the game to put Rossville up 6-0. But Mellies answered immediately with a 60-yard bolt for a score.

But that was all Jackson Heights could manage early. The Cobras ran just three plays in the first quarter due to Rossville’s clock-chewing attack. A 16-play drive which lasted almost nine minutes culminated with a 10-yard pass from Mitchell to Cael Horgan. The Bulldawgs ran the exact same play for a two-point conversion to put Rossville back on top 14-6.

Jackson Heights responded with its own 12-play drive that finished with Mellies plowing in from a yard out.

The Cobras then forced Rossville into the only punt of the game. Jackson Heights marched down the field and Mellies scored his third touchdown of the half to give the home team an 18-14 halftime edge.

The game turned, however, on the opening possession of the second half. Jackson Heights moved to midfield, where Mellies broke free for a 62-yard touchdown run. But the play was brought back on a holding call. Two plays later, the Cobras committed the game’s first turnover, a fumble recovered by Rossville’s Cameron Miller.

Rossville seized the opening, driving five plays to the Jackson Heights 20-yard line. That’s where Mitchell found Horgan for another scoring pass to put Rossville up 21-18.

Horgan stood out as the only receiver who seemed comfortable with the footing and with the wet ball. He produced two touchdown catches, a two-point conversion, and 80 yards on five receptions.

“It was slippery. Really slippery,” Horgan said. “I was just keeping my feet under me, not trying to go too fast on the cut. Just make sure I’m staying stable.”

Rossville’s defense locked in after intermission. Following the fumble, it forced the Cobras to turn the ball over on downs on Jackson Heights’ next two possessions.

With the field water-logged and sticky, it was up to Mitchell to try to burn the remaining 4:38. He struggled to set his feet to throw and was repeatedly sacked for losses in the second half. But he marched the ball to the Jackson Heights 35 and used up more than three minutes before finally giving the ball back to Jackson Heights one more time.

Mellies broke containment for a couple of long runs to move the ball into Rossville territory. But with no timeouts remaining and the clock rapidly expiring, the Jackson Heights quarterback lofted the pass over the middle that Horak intercepted at the 23-yard line to thwart the comeback.

“I thought both teams played extremely hard. (The Cobras) are a very good team,” Hammes said. “We had to dig deep to get it done against those guys. I think the difference for us was that we settled in at halftime. Defensively, we did a much better job in the second half and we contained them.

“There was an adjustment or two (on defense), but it was honestly getting the kids on the right page to do what we were needing to do. And the tackling I thought was better as well.”

A year ago, Rossville advanced to the sub-state round before losing to Centralia. They reached the semifinal by pulling off an improbably comeback over Jackson Heights. Hammes knew the Cobras remembered that painful loss.

“We knew that we would get their best shot,” Hammes said. “The only thing that we talked about was just making sure that we handle the emotion of the game because we knew that they would bring it and that they would certainly be ready for us.”

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

FRIDAY NIGHT'S GAMES

CLASS 3A

SANTE FE TRAIL (11-0) at HAYDEN (11-0)

Connor Hanika, Hayden

Mason Becker, Hayden

Sante Fe Trail, the No. 2 Class 3A East seed, will face No. 1 East seed Hayden Friday night, with the winner moving on to the Class 3A state championship game. Hayden, which is shooting for its third straight trip to the 3A state final, is coming off a 43-29 state quarterfinal win over Jefferson West while Sante Fe Trail advanced with a 28-26 win over Holton. Hayden senior quarterback Connor Hanika has completed 97 of 158 passes for 1,614 yards and 22 touchdowns with just one interception while senior Kade Mitchell has rushed for 941 yards, caught 21 passes for 463 yards and has scored 21 total TDs. Mitchell did not play in the second half last week after a first-half injury. Wildcat senior Jackson McGivern has carried the ball 63 times for 420 yards while recording 72 tackles (45 solo) on defense with seven tackles for loss. Senior Jude Krentz leads Hayden with 102 tackles (53 solo) and six tackles for loss while rushing for 354 yards on 57 attempts. Senior Xander Blasing has 74 stops and seven tackles for loss and has caught 22 passes for 280 yards while senior Makhi Kidd has caught 27 passes for 286 yards. Junior Mason Becker has carried the ball 18 times for 234 yards, caught nine passes for 292 yards and is perfect on extra-point kicks on the year. Logan Power leads the Wildcats with five pass interceptions. The winner of Friday's game will move on to the state championship game at 6 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 28, at Hutchinson Community College to face the winner of Friday's game between No. 1 West seed and defending state champion Andale (11-0) and No. 2 West seed Rock Creek (11-0). Andale advanced with a 57-7 quarterfinal win over Pratt while Rock Creek took a 14-7 win over Cheney. Game time: 7 p.m.

Xander Blasing, Hayden

Jackson McGivern, Hayden

Jude Krentz, Hayden

By RICK PETERSON        
TopSports.news

BRYNN ANDERSON, Washburn Rural

A 5-foot-11 freshman guard/forward, Anderson has yet to take the basketball court for the Junior Blues, but made an immediate impact in volleyball, earning TopSports.news All-Shawnee County and All-Centennial League first-team honors while also being named the county and league newcomer of the year as Washburn Rural won the Centennial League title and advanced to the Class 6A state tournament for the ninth straight season.

SAMI BAUM, Shawnee Heights 

A 6-1 junior, Baum will make her high school basketball debut in the 2025-2026 season after joining the T-Birds. Baum, who has been home schooled, played for the Shawnee Heights volleyball team this fall and has extensive experience in club basketball, receiving interest from college recruiters.    

Nora Burdiek, Rossville

NORA BURDIEK, Rossville

Burdiek, a 6-0 junior forward, missed 11 games of the 2024-2025 season with an injury, but still earned All-Shawnee County honorable mention and was a third-team All-Class 2A and All-Big-East League honoree after averaging 16.5 points and 12 rebounds for 10-12 Rossville. Burdiek was a first-team All-Shawnee County and 2A All-State pick in volleyball, helping lead the Bulldawgs to the state tournament.

Pearmella Carter, Shawnee Heights

PEARMELLA CARTER, Shawnee Heights

A 5-10 junior, Carter starred at Highland Park the past two seasons before transferring to Shawnee Heights for the 2025-2026 season. Carter was a Second 10 All-Shawnee County selection for the Scots last winter after averaging 19.7 points, 9.6 rebounds, 3.7 steals and 2.1 assists and shooting 50 percent from 2-point field goal range while connecting on 14 3-pointers. 

Hailey Caryl, Topeka High

HAILEY CARYL, Topeka High

Caryl, a 5-10 sophomore, received All-Shawnee County Second 10 honors as a freshman after helping Topeka High post a 14-8 record and a nine-win improvement over the 2023-2024 season. Caryl averaged 10.5 points and 8.4 rebounds as a freshman while shooting 58 percent on 2-point field attempts and averaging 2.0 assists and 1.6 steals. Caryl is also a tennis and soccer standout for the Trojans.

KARYS DEITER, Silver Lake

A 5-7 sophomore guard, Deiter earned All-Shawnee County Second 10 recognition for the 23-3 Eagles as a freshman starter, averaging 12.5 points and 4.7 rebounds as Silver Lake overcame big graduation losses from its 2024 Class 3A state championship team to post a runnerup state finish. Deiter was a first-team all-county pick in volleyball this fall after the Eagles won the state title with a 46-1 record, including 37 straight wins to end the season.  

Rylee Dick, Rossville

RYLEE DICK, Rossville

 A 5-6 senior guard, Dick was a first-team All-2A and All-Big East League pick last season and was an All-Shawnee County second-team selection after averaging 20.4 points with 68 made 3-pointers and 89-percent shooting from the free throw line for the 10-12 Bulldawgs while eclipsing the 1,000-point mark for her career. Dick, who has received all-league, all-county and All-2A recognition three straight seasons, has signed a letter of intent with Division II Rockhurst.  

KK Emmot, Shawnee Heights

KK EMMOT, Shawnee Heights

Emmot, a 5-8 junior, moved up to the All-Shawnee County Top 10 last season after earning second-team honors as a freshman. Emmot, who led the T-Birds to a 14-8 record, also earned first-team All-United Kansas Conference honors this past season after averaging 17.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.3 steals and 3.2 assists while connecting on 46 3-pointers.     

Maddie Gragg, Seaman 

MADDIE GRAGG, Seaman

A 5-10 senior, Gragg was an All-Shawnee County Top 10 selection for the third straight season after helping lead Seaman to a 24-1 record and a runnerup finish in Class 5A. Gragg, also a three-time All-United Kansas Conference first-team pick, averaged 13.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.4 assists while shooting 57 percent on two-point field goal attempts and shooting 83 percent from the free throw line while hitting 39 3-pointers. 

Kailyn Hanni, Silver Lake

KAILYN HANNI, Silver Lake

Hanni, a 5-7 senior guard, led Silver Lake to a 23-3 record and a runnerup finish in the Class 3A state tournament this past season after helping the Eagles post a perfect 26-0 record en route to the 3A state championship in 2024. Hanni was a repeat All-Shawnee County Top 10 selection as well as a repeat first-team all-league pick. A Fort Hays State basketball signee, Hanni is a multi-sport standout, earning first-team all-county honors in golf this fall. 

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Jack Bachelor 

JACK BACHELOR, Washburn University

A junior guard, Bachelor scored 23 points on 7 of 13 shooting with three 3-pointers and 6 of 6 free throws in an 95-63 win over Minnesota State-Moorhead and had 14 points with five assists and three 3s in an 88-57 in over Winona State as No. 2-ranked Washburn went 2-0 in the Central Regional Challenge at Pittsburg to improve to 4-0 on the season.

Mason Becker 

MASON BECKER, Hayden

Becker, a junior, scored a 71-yard touchdown on a pass reception from Connor Hanika, rushed for 78 yards on 9 carries, went 5 of 5 on extra-point attempts to improve his season PAT streak to 61 and averaged 44.5 yards on two punts as Hayden improved to 11-0 with an 43-29 home Class 3A state quarterfinal win over Jefferson West.

 Autumn Gibbs

AUTUMN GIBBS, Washburn University 

A junior volleyball player, Gibbs came up big in Friday's 3-1 home MIAA win over Central Oklahoma. After Washburn, now No. 7-ranked, dropped a 25-23 first-set decision, Gibbs jump-started her team with six straight service points, including three aces, at the end of the second set to give WU a 25-22 win before it closed out the match with 25-19 and 25-16 wins. Washburn took a 3-0 win over Arkansas-Fort Smith the following day to earn a share of the MIAA regular-season championship.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Mason Becker 

MASON BECKER, Hayden

Becker, a junior, carried the ball 14 times for 201 yards, including touchdown runs of 53 and 65 yards, as Hayden football earned its third straight trip to the Class 3A state championship game with a 46-0 home win over Santa Fe Trail. Becker also kicked a 25-yard field goal, went 3 of 3 on extra-point kicks to remain perfect on the season and passed for a 2-point conversion as the Wildcats improved to 12-0.

Austin Broadie

AUSTIN BROADIE, Washburn University

A fifth-year senior volleyball standout out of Wichita Trinity, Broadie was named the MIAA Player of the Year after helping lead the Ichabods to a 24-3 regular-season record and a share of the conference title. Broadie finished the regular season with 298 kills on .330 hitting while also contributing 54 blocks. Broadie had 15 matches with double-digit kills and two matches with 20-plus kills.

Leah Henke

LEAH HENKE, Washburn University

The MIAA Freshman of the Year, Henke had two goals and an assist on the weekend as Washburn University soccer advanced to the NCAA Soccer Sweet 16 with a pair of Central Region wins in Mankato, Minn. Henke, a Bishop Carroll product, had a goal and an assist in Friday's 2-0 win over Missouri Western and scored her 11th goal of the season in Sunday's 4-2 win in penalty kicks over top seed Minnesota State.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Twelve Shawnee County volleyball standouts have earned All-State recognition from the Kansas Volleyball Asssociation, led by six first-team selections. 

Class 3A state champion Silver Lake put 5-foot-3 junior setter Kylie Hanni, 5-5 junior libero Jaylie Whitehead and 5-8 senior outside hitter Jaiden Wise on the Class 3A All-State first team while Sarah Johnson was named the 3A coach of the year after leading the Eagles to a 46-1 record and 37 straight wins to end the season.

Kylie Hanni, Silver Lake [Photo by Jesse Bruner/Special to TSN]

Jaylie Whitehead, Silver Lake [Photo by Jesse Bruner/Special to TSN]

Jaiden Wise [Photo by Scott Paske/KSHSAA Covered]

Sarah Johnson, Silver Lake. [Photo by Jesse Bruner/Special to TSN]

Silver Lake 5-5 sophomore outside hitter Karys Deiter was named to the 3A second team while 5-10 senior middle hitter Paige Heiman received honorable mention.

Hailey Schmidtlein, Hayden [Photo by Scott Paske/KSHSAA Covered]

Blakely Walter, Hayden [File photo/TSN]

Hayden, which placed second at state in 4A after finishing third in 2024, is represented on the 4A All-State first team by 5-11 sophomore rightside hitter/middle blocker Hailey Schmidtlein and 5-9 sophomore setter Blakely Walter.

Senior 5-4 libero Ella Foster and 6-0 junior outside hitter Mallory Tanking were named to the all-state second team while 5-6 sophomore outside hitter Sophia Wichman received honorable mention.

Nora Burdiek, Rossville [Photo by Jesse Bruner/Special to TSN]

Rossville 5-10 junior outside hitter Nora Burdiek earned first-team 2A All-State honors after helping lead the Bulldawgs to a state tournament berth.

Washburn Rural 5-11 freshman outside hitter Brynn Anderson was named to the All-6A second team after helping lead the Junior Blues to a ninth straight state tournament berth this fall.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Rossville football is back in the Class 1A semifinals for the second straight season after a 27-20 road win at previously-unbeaten and No. 1 East seed St. Mary's Colgan Friday night in Pittsburg.

Senior quarterback Canann Mitchell scored a pair of touchdowns Friday in Rossville's 27-20 road win over previously-unbeaten Colgan. [File photo/TSN]

The No. 4-seeded Bulldawgs, now 10-1, never trailed after jumping out to a 14-0 lead over the Panthers, who had not allowed a point in their first two playoff games, but Colgan (10-1) struck with just 32 seconds left in the opening half to cut its halftime deficit to 14-6.

Rossville outscored Colgan 13-7 in the third quarter to take a 27-13 lead into the final quarter before the Panthers scored just five seconds into the fourth to cut their deficit to seven at 27-20.

But that would be the last TD of the night as Rossville was able to close out its eighth straight win.

Rossville senior Andre Johnson scored on a 15-yard run at the 8:15 mark of the opening quarter (Austin Dohrman kick) to put the Bulldawgs up 7-0 and senior quarterback Canann Mitchell scored on a 2-yard run with just 52 remaining in the half (Dohrman kick).

The Bulldawgs padded their advantage with an 11-yard TD run by Cael Horgan with 7:17 left in the third quarter (Dohrman kick) and Mitchell scored his second TD of the night at the 3:41 mark of the third on a 71-yard gallop (kick failed) to end Rossville's scoring.

Rossville will be back on the road next Friday to face No. 2 East seed Jackson Heights (11-0), a 21-14 quarterfinal winner over Riverside. 

WasRelated Stories and Videos

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

FRIDAY NIGHT'S GAMES

CLASS 3A

JEFFERSON WEST (8-2) at HAYDEN (10-0)

Connor Hanika, Hayden

Kade Mitchell, Hayden

Hayden, the No. 1 East seed in Class 3A, has outscored its first two playoff opponents by a huge 112-7 margin, including a 42-0 romp past Wellsville last Friday night. Friday's state quarterfinal game is a rematch of the Week 8 Hayden-Jefferson West district matchup, with the Wildcats taking a 42-0 win over the Tigers in that game. Jefferson West advanced to Friday's game with a 49-14 win over Prairie View. Hayden senior quarterback Connor Hanika has completed 88 of 146 passes for 1,422 yards and 20 touchdowns with just one interception while senior Kade Mitchell has carried the ball 89 times for 900 yards, caught 19 passes for 410 yards and has scored 21 total TDs. Wildcat senior Jackson McGivern has carried the ball 55 times for 378 yards and scored nine TDs while recording 65 tackles (41) on defense with seven tackles for loss. Senior Jude Krentz leads Hayden with 89 tackles (47 solo) and six tackles for loss while rushing for 317 yards on 49 attempts. Senior Xander Blasing has 66 stops (48 solo) and seven tackles for loss and has caught 18 passes for 230 yards while senior Makhi Kidd has caught a team-high 26 passes for 277 yards. Jefferson West freshman quarterback Brixton Schwinn has completed 150 of 255 passes for 2,101 yards and 29 touchdowns while senior Crayton Holmes has 55 receptions for 689 yards and eight TDs and junior Brody Schwinn has 47 catches for 883 yards and 17 TDs. The winner of Friday's game will move on to a 3A sub-state game to face the winner of Friday's game between Holton (6-4) and Santa Fe Trail (10-0). Game time: 7 p.m.

Xander Blasing, Hayden

Jackson McGivern, Hayden

CLASS 1A

ROSSVILLE (9-1) at PITTSBURG-ST. MARY'S COLGAN (10-0)

Canann Mitchell, Rossville

Cameron Miller, Rossville

Rossville, the No. 4 Class 1A East seed, is coming off a 53-18 home win over Jefferson County North last Friday while Pittsburg Colgan remained undefeated at 10-0 with a 56-0 win over Troy. Rossville senior quarterback Canann Mitchell has completed 87 of 127 passes for 1,311 yards and 16 touchdowns with just one interception and has rushed for 821 yards and 15 TDs on 101 attempts. Senior Cameron Miller has 30 catches for 502 yards and eight TDs while senior Jack Donovan has 34 grabs for 426 yards and three touchdowns. Senior Conner Bush has rushed for 656 yards and 10 TDs on 61 carries while senior Andre Johnson leads the Bulldawgs with 85 tackles. Junior Charlie Chance has registered 40 stops, including 12.5 tackles for loss. Colgan has yet to give up a point in postseason, outscoring its opponents by a 119-0 margin. The winner of Friday's game will advance to the state semifinals to face the winner of Friday's game between Riverside (8-2) and Jackson Heights (10-0). Game time: 6 p.m.

Jack Donovan, Rossville

Andre Johnson, Rossville

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Miles Cook 

MILES COOK, Washburn Rural

The Junior Blues' senior goalkeeper came up huge on Saturday night at the Stryker Complex in Wichita, with Cook coming up with two saves in penalty kicks as Rural outscored Shawnee Mission East 4-2 in PKs to take a 3-2 win over the Lancers and earn its first Class 6A state soccer championship since 2012. 

Connor Hanika

CONNOR HANIKA, Hayden

Hanika, a senior quarterback, completed 10 of 13 passes for 211 yards, including 62 and 63-yard touchdown passes to Kade Mitchell Friday night as 10-0 Hayden advanced to the Class 3A quarterfinals with a 42-0 home romp past Wellsville in a regional final.

 Leah Henke  

LEAH HENKE, Washburn University

Henke, a former Bishop Carroll star, was named the MIAA Soccer Freshman of the Year and earned first-team all-conference honors after the Washburn University forward scored a team-high nine goals for the Ichabods in an 11-2-5 regular season, including an 8-0-4 conference record.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Class 3A state champion Silver Lake, 4A runnerup Hayden and state qualifiers Washburn Rural in 6A and Rossville in 2A combined to put 12 players on the TopSports.news 2025 All-Shawnee County volleyball first team.

Shawnee County Player of the Year Kylie Hanni, Silver Lake [File photo/TSN]

Shawnee County Coach of the Year Sarah Johnson, Silver Lake. [Photo by Jesse Bruner/Special to TSN]

Shawnee County Newcomer of the Year Brynn Anderson, Washburn Rural. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]

Silver Lake, which went 46-1 and ended its season on a 37-match winning streak, is represented on the all-county  team by senior Jaiden Wise, juniors Kylie Hanni and Jaylie Whitehead and sophomore Karys Deiter, with Hanni named the county player of the year and Eagles coach Sarah Johnson tapped as the coach of the year.  

Hayden, which placed second at state after finishing third in 2024, is represented on the first team by sophomore repeat picks Hailey Schmidtlein and Blakely Walter along with senior Ella Foster, a multi-time all-county selection.

Washburn Rural is represented on the all-county first team by seniors Karsyn Horyna and Stella Kelly and freshman Brynn Anderson, who was named the Shawnee County newcomer of the year after the Junior Blues won the Centennial League championship and advanced to the 6A state tournament for the ninth straight season.

Horyna is a first-team All-Shawnee County repeat pick while Kelly was a second-team pick as a junior.

Rossville junior Nora Burdiek is a first-team all-county repeat pick and is joined on the first team by freshman Kenna Perine.

Rounding out the first team are Cair Paravel Latin senior Karsyn Hastert, Topeka West junior Sydney Van Dyke and Shawnee Heights senior Avery Willey.

All-Shawnee County first-team capsules:

By TODD FERTIG

TopSports.news

Rossville claimed a regional championship and punched its ticket to the Class 1A quarterfinal round with a 53-18 pounding of Jefferson County North Friday at Rossville.

Rossville senior quarterback Canann Mitchell ran for four touchdowns and passed for a TD in the Bulldawgs' 53-18 Class 1A playoff win over Jefferson County North. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

The game couldn’t have started better for the home team. Jefferson County North fumbled the opening kickoff, giving Rossville the ball at their opponents’ 32-yard line. Three plays later, Rossville senior quarterback Canaan Mitchell tossed to Andre Johnson for a 7-0 lead less than a minute into the contest.

The Bulldawg defense didn’t permit a first down until late in the first period. When the Cougars finally penetrated the Rossville red zone, linebacker Cael Horgan picked off a pass to squelch the threat.

“They gave us the ball back early and the possession part early in the football game was important for us,” Rossville coach Derick Hammes said. “I thought our defense did a good job. We had some red zone stops, so they did a good job overall with the tackling, getting off the field and everything. So, I’m proud of that side of the ball.”

Rossville extended the lead to 33-0 before finally giving up a touchdown on the final play of the half.

(Getting the turnover) was big, because that’s a momentum changer at the very beginning of the game,” Mitchell said. “We came out hot. Our offense is good, so if we stop everyone on defense, we can roll.”

Rossville pumped in two quick touchdowns in the third period to remove any doubt about the outcome. They did surrender two late scores, but coasted to the 35-point win.

Mitchell led the way on the ground and through the air. He rushed for 147 yards on 21 carries and also completed 11 of 13 throws for 181 yards. He ran for four touchdowns in addition to the scoring pass to Johnson.

“(Mitchell) toughed it out. He had a bruise. I don’t think it was anything serious,” Hammes said. “His effort was good. They committed to stopping the run and that kind of brings the quarterback run game into it for us, so he had a good night.”

“I’ve always been good at passing, but in this offense, we run a lot. It takes a lot of the pressure off when the defense (shuts down the opponent) like that,” Mitchell said. “My linemen allowed me time to pass, so all props to them.”

Rossville senior Andre Johnson scored three touchdowns in the Bulldawgs' 53-18 win over Jefferson County North Friday night. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

Rossville senior Jack Donovan had a big rushing and pass receiving night in Friday's 53-18 Class 1A playoff win over Jefferson County North. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

Johnson followed up his touchdown reception with 18 and 24-yard scoring runs. Providing an additional spark to the offense was Jack Donovan. He hauled in five passes for 48 yards and rushed for 69 more yards on four carries. Conner Bush pounded out 52 tough yards to help Rossville control the ball and consume the clock.

Rossville improved to 9-1, but the road gets significantly tougher next week. The Bulldawgs earned a trip to Pittsburg to face perennial powerhouse St. Mary’s-Colgan, the top seed in the East bracket. The Panthers have yet to surrender a point in the playoffs.

“We don’t know a lot about them until we dig into the film. But you want to be playing this time of the year, and these kids have put a lot of hard work in,” Hammes said. “So, they deserve the chance to play a good football team and see what we can get done.”

ROSSVILLE 53, JEFFERSON COUNTY NORTH 18

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

FRIDAY NIGHT'S GAMES

CLASS 6A

Jadyn Baum, Washburn Rural

WASHBURN RURAL (6-3) at WICHITA NORTHWEST (8-1)

Washburn Rural, the No. 7 Class 6A West seed, advanced to the second round of the playoffs with a 37-0 home win over No. 10 Wichita South last Friday while No. 2 seed Wichita Northwest routed No. 15 Campus, 57-14. Rural junior running back Jadyn Baum went over the 1,000-yard rushing mark for the season in the Junior Blues' win over Wichita South while scoring three touchdowns. Northwest senior quarterback Jaylen Mason has completed 98 of 148 passes for 1,487 yards and 17 touchdowns while senior Augie Fast has carried the ball 103 times for 1,119 yards and 21 TDs. The winner of Friday's game will advance to the 6A quarterfinals to face the winner of Friday's game between No. 6 seed Derby (6-3) and No. 3 Junction City (7-2). Derby beat Topeka High 49-0 last week while Junction City rolled to a 55-7 win over Wichita West. Game time: 7 p.m. 

CLASS 3A

Xander Blasing, Hayden

WELLSVILLE (6-3) at HAYDEN (9-0)

Hayden, the No. 1 East seed in Class 3A, opened postseason with a 70-7 home win over No. 16 Columbus last Friday while No. 9 Wellsville shut out No. 8 Parsons, 50-0. Wildcat senior quarterback Connor Hanika has completed 79 of 133 passes for 1,218 yards and 18 touchdowns while senior Kade Mitchell has carried the ball 78 times for 764 yards and has scored 17 total TDs. Senior Jude Krentz leads Hayden with 76 tackles (43 solo) and six tackles for loss while Xander Blasing has 59 stops (43 solo) and seven tackles for loss. Wellsville junior quarterback Pete Dorsey has completed 47 of 89 passes for 886 yards and 10 touchdowns while junior Armond Graves has 938 rushing yards and 16 TDs on 118 carries. The winner of Friday's game will move on to the 3A quarterfinals to face the winner of Friday's game between No. 5 East seed Jefferson West (7-2) at No. 4 seed Prairie View (8-1). Jeff West opened postseason with a 45-6 win over Anderson County while Prairie View rolled to a 48-6 win over Burlington. Game time: 7 p.m.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Class 3A state champion Silver Lake and 2A state qualifier Rossville combined for three first-team spots on the All-Big East League volleyball team, selected by league coaches.

Kylie Hanni, Silver Lake [Photo by Scott Paske/KSHSAA Covered]

Jaylie Whitehead, Silver Lake [Photo by Jesse Bruner/Special to TSN]

Nora Burdiek, Rossville [Photo by Jesse Bruner/Special to TSN]

Silver Lake is represented on the all-league first team by junior setter Kylie Hanni and junior libero Jaylie Whitehead while Rossville put junior outside hitter Nora Burdiek on the first team.

Silver Lake senior outside hitter Jaiden Wise and Rossville freshman setter Kenna Perine were named to the all-league second team and Lake senior middle hitter Paige Heiman and Rossville junior libero Ady Henry were third-team picks.

Silver Lake sophomore Karys Deiter received all-league honorable mention.  

ALL-BIG EAST LEAGUE VOLLEYBALL

First team

Nora Burdiek, jr. OH, Rossville; Kylie Hanni, jr. S, Silver Lake; Jaylie Whitehead, jr. L, Silver Lake;Kiwe Miller, so. OH, Royal Valley; Addison Schwinn, sr. MH, Jefferson West; Macie Corcoran, jr. OH, Perry-Lecompton.

Second team

Jaiden Wise, sr. OH, Silver Lake; Khloe Black, so. OH, Holton; Macy Holthaus, so. OH, Nemaha Central; Harriet Dean, jr. S, Jefferson West; Audrey Holle, so. OH, Riley County; Kenna Perine, fr. S, Rossville.     

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Eight Shawnee County standouts from Class 3A state champion Silver Lake, 4A runnerup Hayden and 2A participant Rossville have earned All-State Tournament recognition from the Kansas Volleyball Association.

Kylie Hanni, Silver Lake [Photo by Scott Paske/KSHSAA Covered]

Jaylie Whitehead, Silver Lake [Photo by Jesse Bruner /Special to TSN]

Jaiden Wise, Silver Lake [Photo by Jesse Bruner/Special to TSN]

Silver Lake, which completed a 46-1 season with the 10th state volleyball championship in school history Saturday at the Hutchinson Sports Arena, is represented on the All-3A state tourney team by 5-foot-3 junior setter Kylie Hanni, 5-5 junior libero Jaylie Whitehead and 5-8 senior outside hitter Jaiden Wise.

Ella Foster, Hayden [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

Hailey Schmidtlein, Hayden [Photo by Scott Paske/KSHSAA Covered] 

Mallory Tanking, Hayden [Photo by Scott Paske/KSHSAA Covered]

Blakely Walter, Hayden [File photo/TSN]

Hayden, 33-10 after a three-set loss to Andale in the championship match at Hutchinson, is represented on the All-4A state tournament team by 5-4 senior libero Ella Foster, 5-11 sophomore rightside hitter/middle blocker Hailey Schmidtlein, 6-0 junior outside/rightside hitter Mallory Tanking and 5-9 sophomore setter Blakely Walter.

Schmidtlein and Walter earned all-state tournament honors for the second straight season.

Nora Burdiek, Rossville [Photo by Jesse Bruner/Special to TSN]]

Rossville 5-11 junior outside hitter Nora Burdiek was named to the 2A all-state tournament team after leading the Bulldawgs to a 1-2 record in pool play at Dodge City.

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

Hayden, which has advanced to the past two Class 3A state championship games, took the first step towards a third straight title shot with a 70-7 rout over Columbus Friday night at Hayden.

Senior Kade Mitchell (25) rushed for 190 yards on just five attempts and scored four touchdowns in Hayden's 70-7 Class 3A playoff win over Columbus Friday night. [File photo/TSN]

Hayden, the No. 1 3A East seed, improved to 9-0 on the season and will host No. 9 Wellsville (6-3), a 50-0 winner over Parsons, next Friday at 7 p.m. 

The Wildcats jumped out to a 42-7 first-quarter cushion over 2-7 Columbus, the No. 16 East seed, and led 63-7 at the half.

Senior Kade Mitchell had a big night for Hayden, rushing for 190 yards unofficially on just five attempts, including touchdown runs of 51, 42 and 75 yards while also hauling in a 45-yard touchdown pass from Wildcat senior quarterback Connor Hanika.

Senior Xander Blassing had 30 and 35-yard interception returns for TDs as six Wildcats scored touchdowns on the night.

HAYDEN 70, COLUMBUS 7

Columbus (2-7) 7 0 0 0 -- 7

Hayden (9-0)   42 21 7 0 -- 70

Hayden -- Mitchell 51 run (Becker kick)

Hayden -- Blasing 30 interception return (Becker kick)

Hayden -- Mitchell 45 pass from Hanika (Becker kick)

Hayden -- McGivern 4 run (Becker kick)

Columbus -- Dohle 96 kickoff return (Gray kick)

Hayden -- Becker 34 pass from Hanika (Becker kick)

Hayden -- Blasing 35 interception return (Becker kick)

Hayden - Mitchell 42 run (Becker kick)

Hayden - Mitchell 75 run (Becker kick)

Hayden - Branson 39 run (Becker kick)

Hayden - Todwong 14 run (Becker kick)

Individual statistics

RUSHING -- Columbus: Jayden Rodriguez 3-8, Jett Tanner 7-4, Jayden Dohle 4-3, Braun Stone 5-1, Jonas Stover 1-(minus)-5. Hayden: Kade Mitchell 5-190, Kyden Lichtenhauer 5-84, Mason Branson 1-39, Jairus Todwong 3-28, Jackson McGivern 5-24, Evan Huntley 4-15, Callen Powers 3-8, Alex Lopez 1-5, Conner Hanika 1-4, Mason Becker 1-4, Elijah Torrez 1-1.

PASSING -- Columbus: Jett Turner 7-20-5, 72 yards. Hayden -- Conner Hanika 4-6-0, 98 yards.

RECEIVING -- Columbus: Jonas Stover 3-26, Braun Stone 1-20, Jayden Rodriguez 1-15, Cole Howard 1-8, Lemmie Stone 1-3. Hayden: Kade Mitchell 1-45, Mason Becker 1-34, Mahki Kidd 1-13, Xander Blasing 1-6.

PUNTING -- Columbus: Jonas Stover 4-22.25.

Eagles takes 29-8 win over St. Marys in 2A rematch

Silver Lake stretched its win streak to seven games Friday night, opening Class 2A postseason with a 29-8 home win over St. Marys.

The Eagles, who improved to 7-2 overall, beat the Bears for the second time this fall, taking a 21-6 District 3 win on Sept. 26

Silver Lake, the No. 4 East seed in 2A, advances to the second round of the playoffs to face No. 5 seed Sabetha (8-1), a 48-0 winner over No. 12 Humboldt (3-6).  

Rossville routs Mission Valley 71-0 in 1A playoff opener

Class 1A District 2 champion Rossville, the No. 4 East seed and a state semifinalist last fall, opened its 2025 playoff bid with a 71-0 home win over Mission Valley Friday night.

The Bulldawgs took control of the game with a 21-0 first quarter and scored 35 points in the second quarter to open up a 56-0 halftime lead before adding a pair of scores in the third stanza. 

Senior quarterback Canann Mitchell scored on a 41-yard run and threw for a 30-yard TD to Jack Donovan and a 15-yard TD pass to Cameron Miller.

Donovan opened the scoring with a 55-yard run while Landen Lewis scored on 10 and 40-yard runs, Andre Johnson scored on a 6-yard run and Conner Bush scored on a 2-yard run.

The Bulldawgs also got interception returns for touchdowns from Cale Horak and Dalen Dick while Austin Dohrman kicked nine extra points and Cole Graves scored on a 2-point conversion run.

Rossville advances to host No. 5 seed Jefferson County North (8-1), a 30-14 winner over McLouth, next Friday.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Washburn Rural cross country coach Matt Swedlund knew going into Saturday's state cross country meet at Rim Rock that the battle for the Class 6A boys team championship would be close.

Washburn Rural's cross country team celebrates with coach Matt Swedlund Saturday at Rim Rock Farm after learning the Junior Blues had won the Class 6A state championship. [Photo by Mac Moore/Lawrence Sports]

Washburn Rural's cross country team stands on the victory stand Saturday at Rim Rock Farm after winning the Class 6A state cross country title. [Photo by Mac Moore/Lawrence Sports]

It couldn't have been any closer. 

Washburn Rural, top-ranked in the 6A coaches rankings, didn't have an individual medalist (top 20) on Saturday, but the Junior Blues put four runners in the top 28 places to lead the way as Rural captured the team championship by a single point (100-101) over Blue Valley.

Swedlund said at mid-week that he expected a tight race for the title.

"Basically the top five in the rankings are all just points from each other,'' Swedlund told TopSports.news. "There are several teams that have an opportunity (to win the team crown), so you've got to take it.

"We're not taking anything for granted and if you want to end up on the podium (top three teams) you're going to have to run well. We've been fortunate to have some good teams that were in the conversation and when you put yourself in the conversation there is no reason not to make your goal the absolute top. You want to be the best, you want to win, so that's what you shoot for.''

The Junior Blues, who had tied Manhattan at regionals and finished second on a tiebreaker, rode a pack finish on Saturday to its second title under Swedlund, a Washburn Rural alum.

Sophomore Henry Laubach (1598) leads a strong pack finish from Class 6A state champion Washburn Rural Saturday at Rim Rock Farm. [Photo by Mac Moore/Lawrence Sports]

Rural, which finished sixth as a team in the 2024 state meet, got a team-high 22nd-place finish from sophomore Henry Laubach in a five-kilometer time of 16:40.66 while senior Brooks Kehoe was just three spots back in 25th (16:42.83), sophomore Clayton Fink was right behind Kehoe in 26th (16:46.46) and sophomore Duke Graf was 28th (16:47.78).

Sophomore Jaxson Adams rounded out Rural's top five with a 42nd-place finish (17:01.90) while senior Wyatt Shorb was 52nd (17:11.27) and sophomore Brady Meek 84th (17:48.44). 

Olathe West was just 10 points behind Blue Valley in third (110) while Maize (147) and Free State (150) rounded out the top five in the team standings.

Blue Valley Northwest's Jacob D'souza won the individual title in 15:42.50.

Washburn Rural's girls finished seventh as a team with 173 points, led by freshman Alyson Hinck in a time of 19:54.78.

Senior Emily Graf finished 30th (19:58.44), followed by senior Kenzie Maddox in 49th (20:27.71), sophomore Reese Beardslee in 50th (20:29.81), freshman Morgan Munson in 51st (20:33.80), freshman Clara Dixon in 62nd (21:00.06) and freshman Lilly Palmer in 90th (23:18.64).

Manhattan won the girls team championship with 61 points. 

Topeka High sophomore Easton Davis competed in the 6A boys race as an individual, placing 80th (17:42.79)'

Vikings' Spencer posts 16th-place 5A finish

Seaman junior Brynn Spencer earned her second straight Class 5A state medal Saturday at Rim Rock Farm, placing 16th in 19:26.82.

 Seaman junior Brynn Spencer (1575) earned her second straight Class 5A state medal with a 16th-place finish Saturday at Rim Rock Farm. [Photo by Mac Moore/Lawrence Sports]

Spencer, competing as an individual, placed 18th at state as a sophomore.

Seaman senior Brody Anderson placed 33rd in the boys race (16:51.27) while Shawnee Heights senior Max Esquibel finished 50th (17:24.63).

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Washburn Rural cross country coach Matt Swedlund knows that there are multiple teams capable of challenging for the Class 6A boys state team championship Saturday at Rim Rock Farm, north of Lawrence.

Veteran senior Brooks Kehoe, the Centennial League champion, will lead top-ranked Washburn Rural into Saturday's Class 6A state cross country meet at Rim Rock Farm. [File photo/TSN]

But Rural, top-ranked in the 6A coaches rankings, is one of those teams, and Swedlund is excited to see what Saturday holds for his young Junior Blues, who have five sophomores in their state lineup.

"Basically the top five in the rankings are all just points from each other,'' Swedlund said. "There are several teams that have an opportunity (to win the team crown), so you've got to take it.

"We're not taking anything for granted and if you want to end up on the podium (top three teams) you're going to have to run well. We've been fortunate to have some good teams that were in the conversation and when you put yourself in the conversation there is no reason not to make your goal the absolute top. You want to be the best, you want to win, so that's what you shoot for.'' 

Washburn Rural tied Manhattan for last Saturday's regional title at Wichita's Clapp Park, with the Indians taking the team crown on a tiebreaker (highest finishing sixth runner).

Sophomores Duke Graf, Clayton Fink and Henry Laubach finished second, seventh and 12th to lead the Junior Blues while senior Centennial League champion Brooks Kehoe finished 19th and sophomore Jaxson Adams 22nd to round out Rural's top five and senior Wyatt Shorb and sophomore Brady Meek finished 28th and 29th.

Rural finished sixth as a team in last year's state meet, with Laubach finishing 14th to earn a state medal.

Senior Emily Graf, a two-time 6A state medalist, will lead the young Junior Blues into Saturday's state meet at Rim Rock Farm. [File photo/TSN]

Washburn Rural suffered heavy graduation losses off its girls team that finished second in, losing out to Olathe West on a tiebreaker, in last year's state meet, but the Junior Blues, ranked fifth in 6A, earned a trip to state with a strong runnerup regional finish to Centennial champ Manhattan.

Seniors Emily Graf and Kenzie Maddox and sophomore Reese Beardslee return from last year's runnerup Rural team and will be joined on Saturday by freshmen Alyson Hinck, Morgan Munson, Clara Dillon and Lilly Palmer.

Graf led Rural with a fifth-place finish at regionals while Hinck was eighth, Munson ninth, Maddox 16th, Beardslee 17th, Dillon 21st and Palmer 36th.

"You've got some young girls, so you just want them to get out there and run the best that they can and see where you land,'' Swedlund said.

Graf will be shooting for her third 6A state medal, finishing 14th a year ago after a 19th-place showing as a sophomore.

Topeka High sophomore Easton Davis posted a 14th-place regional finish to qualify as an individual for the 6A boys race.

The 6A girls race is scheduled for 10:35 a.m. Saturday while the boys race is slated for 12:20 p.m.

CLASS 5A

Three city standouts qualified as individuals for Saturday's Class 5A state meet at Rim Rock Farm, led by Seaman senior Brody Anderson, a returning state medalist.

Seaman senior Brody Anderson is back at state for his third straight season after finishing second in last week's Class 5A regional at Wichita. [File photo/TSN]

Anderson, a 5A state medalist last season with a ninth-place finish, was the runnerup in last Saturday's regional at Wichita while Shawnee Heights senior Max Esquibel qualified with a 14th-place regional finish at Lawrence.

Seaman junior Brynn Spencer, a returning state medalist, posted a sixth-place individual finish at regionals. [File photo/TSN]

Seaman junior Brynn Spencer will be the lone local runner in the 5A girls race, qualifying as an individual with a sixth-place regional finish in Wichita.

Spencer finished 18th at state as a sophomore.

The 5A boys race is scheduled for 11:10 a.m. Saturday while the girls will run in the final race of the day at 12:55 p.m.

CLASS 4A

Hayden's boys and girls combined for three individual qualifying berths for Saturday's Class 4A state meet at Wamego Country Club.

Sophomore Nick Newkirk and senior Connor Baldwin finished 14th and 15th in the Leonardville 4A regional to earn boys state berths while Hayden junior girls standout Sofia Harper qualified with a 12th-place regional finish.

The 4A girls race is scheduled for 10:35 a.m. Saturday while the boys race is set for a 12:20 p.m. start.

CLASS 3A

Silver Lake's boys earned a team berth for Saturday's Class 3A state meet at Rim Rock Farm, while junior Alessandra Gerber qualified as an individual for the girls race.

Silver Lake earned the final team berth in the 3A regional at Leonardville with a third-place finish, just three points out of second and 16 out of first.

Junior Hunter Rooks led Silver Lake with an eighth-place regional finish while sophomore Carson Kraus finished 20th, senior Brayden Just 27th, sophomore Miles Burgess 28th, junior Lane Ray 29th, senior Joel Heier 38th and senior Zachariah Rodenbaugh 66th. 

Gerber earned a return trip to state with a sixth-place individual finish at regionals.

The 3A boys race is the first race of the day at 10 a.m. Saturday while the 3A girls will run at 11:45 a.m.

CLASS 2A

Rossville junior Madelyn Wonnell earned a return trip to the Class 2A meet at Wamego Country Club with a 14th-place individual finish in the Marion regional.

The 2A girls race is Saturday's final race of the day at 12:55 p.m. 

SHAWNEE COUNTY STATE QUALIFIERS

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

After finishing third in last year's Class 4A state tournament, No. 6 seed Hayden is back in the title hunt after a perfect 3-0 day Friday at the Hutchinson Sports Arena.

Corrinne McGreevy's Wildcats, 32-9 on the season, claimed the Pool II championship with three straight-set victories.

Hayden volleyball is headed to the Class 4A state semifinals Saturday after a perfect 3-0 record in pool play at the Hutchinson Sports Arena. [File photo/TSN]

Hayden opened its day with a 25-16, 25-19 win over No. 3 seed McPherson and then knocked off No. 2 Clay Center, 25-14, 26-24 before clinching the pool championship with a 25-20, 25-13 win over No. 7 seed Buhler in the Wildcats' final match of the day.

Hayden will now face Pool I runnerup Paola (27-10) in the semifinals, with the Panthers advancing on a tiebreaker despite a 1-2 record in pool play.

No. 1 seed and Pool II champion Andale (34-1) will face Pool I runnerup Clay Center (40-3) in the other semifinal.

The championship and third-place matches will begin 25 minutes after the conclusion of the final semifinal.  

Rural comes up short in bid for 6A semifinals

After splitting its first two matches Friday, No. 4 seed Washburn Rural pushed two-time defending Class 6A state champ and top seed Mill Valley to three sets in the Junior Blues' final pool match of the day at the Tony's Pizza Event Center in Salina before Mill Valley escaped with a 25-27, 25-18, 25-17 win.

Mill Valley, 2-1 on the day, advanced to Saturday semifinals as the Pool I runnerup while Washburn Rural ended its season with a 31-9 record on the year. 

Bulldawgs go 1-2 in 2A pool play

No. 8 seed Rossville split its first two Class 2A state pool play matches at Dodge City's United Wireless Arena and went to three sets in its final match against No. 5 seed Hillsboro, but came up short in its bid to advance to Saturday's semifinals. 

The Bulldawgs dropped a 25-12, 25-13 decision to top seed and undefeated Ellinwood in its opening match before taking a 19-25, 25-19, 25-15 victory over No. 4 Humboldt.

After dropping a 25-20 first-set decision to Hillsboro Rossville answered with a 25-15 win in the second set, but the Trojans took the match with a hard-earned 26-24 win in the third set.

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

FRIDAY NIGHT'S GAMES

CLASS 6A

Jadyn Baum, Washburn Rural

WICHITA SOUTH (3-5) at WASHBURN RURAL (5-3)

Washburn Rural is the No. 7 Class 6A West seed while Wichita South is No. 10. Washburn Rural, playing without standout senior quarterback John Hoytal, dropped a 43-0 home Centennial League decision to Manhattan last week. Friday's winner will advance to a second-round game to face the winner of Friday's game between No. 2 Wichita Northwest (7-1) and No. 15 Campus (0-8). Game time: 7 p.m. 

TOPEKA HIGH (3-5) at DERBY (5-3)

The Trojans, coming off a 34-12 home non-league loss to Pittsburg, are the No. 11 6A West seed while perennial state contender Derby is the No. 6 seed. The Topeka High-Derby winner will advance to face Friday's winner between No. 3 seed Junction City (6-2) and No. 14 Wichita West (1-7). Game time: 7 p.m.

CLASS 5A

G'Honi Montgomery, Highland Park

DE SOTO (6-2) vs. HIGHLAND PARK (6-2)

At Hummer Sports Park

Coming off a big 42-30 Meadowlark Conference road win over previously-unbeaten Kansas City-Washington, Highland Park is the No. 8 Class 5A East seed while United Kansas Conference stalwart De Soto is seeded No. 9 and coming off a 42-21 UKC home win over Seaman. Highland Park junior G'Honi Montgomery carried the ball 14 times for 292 yards and five touchdowns against Washington and has 633 yards on 55 attempts in five games. Junior JoJo Kingcannon has rushed for 393 yards and four TDs on 26 carries and caught seven passes for 280 yards and three TDs. The Highland Park-De Soto winner will move on to face the winner of Friday's contest between No. 1 seed Basehor-Linwood (8-0) and No. 16 Blue Valley Southwest (0-8). Game time: 6 p.m.

Aiden Scott, Shawnee Heights

SHAWNEE HEIGHTS (4-4) at ST. JAMES ACADEMY (7-1)

Shawnee Heights is coming off a 29-16 home United Kansas Conference win over Kansas City Turner and is the No. 11 5A East seed for the playoffs while St. James is the No. 6 seed. The T-Bird-Thunder winner will advance to next week's second round of the playoffs to take on the winner of Friday's game between No. 3 seed Spring Hill (7-1) and No. 14 Kansas City-Harmon (1-7). Shawnee Heights senior quarterback Aiden Scott has completed 181 of 287 passes for 2,767 yards and 23 TDs while senior AJ Gallegos has 61 catches for 860 yards and seven touchdowns. Dayton Vanderpool is the T-Birds' leading tackler with 75 stops (51 solo), including 5.5 tackles for loss. Game time: 7 p.m.

SEAMAN (3-5) at LIBERAL (6-2)

Seaman, coming off a 42-21 United Kansas Conference road loss at De Soto, is the No. 11 5A West seed while Liberal is No. 6. The winner of Friday's game will advance to face the winner of Friday's game between No. 3 Andover (6-2) and No. 14 seed Salina South (1-7). Seaman junior quarterback Cale Ketter has completed 136 of 231 passes for 2,013 yards and 23 touchdowns while Josh Brown has 38 catches for 611 yards and eight TDs and Coy Barta has 33 catches for 558 yards and nine TDs. Sophomore Quentin Moravec has 830 rushing yards and 11 TDs on 147 attempts. Game time: 6 p.m.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Perennial Class 3A volleyball contender Silver Lake will be the team to beat in this week's state tournament at Hutchinson Sports Arena, earning the top seed in the eight-team field with a sparkling 41-1 record on the season.

Silver Lake volleyball celebrates its Class 3A sub-state title Saturday at Silver Lake. [Photo by Jesse Bruner/Special to TSN]

In the brand new state tournament format installed by the Kansas State High School Activities Association, the 3A field will play its three pool matches on Thursday before a day off on Friday and the semifinals, championship and third-place matches on Saturday.

Silver Lake sophomore Karys Deiter spikes the ball during Saturday's Class 3A sub-state tournament at Silver Lake. [Photo by Jesse Bruner/Special to TSN]

Sarah Johnson's Eagles will open their state bid at 11 a.m. Thursday with a Pool I match against No. 8 seed Hesston (26-12).

Silver Lake junior Jaylie Whitehead makes a return during Saturday's Class 3A sub-state tournament at Silver Lake. [Photo by Jesse Bruner/Special to TSN]

After a match off, Silver Lake will return to the court at 1 p.m. to face No. 5 seed Ellsworth (32-8) before closing out pool play with a 3 o'clock match against No. 4 Wichita Trinity (28-5).

On the other side of the 3A bracket are No. 2 seed Riverton (36-4), No. 3 Hoisington (36-4), No. 6 Holton (34-9) and No. 7 Osage City (27-12).

The top two finishers in both pools will advance to 9 a.m. semifinals on Saturday, followed by the championship and third-place matches.

CLASS 3A VOLLEYBALL

At Hutchinson Sports Arena

THURSDAY'S POOL PLAY

Pool I

10 a.m. -- Wichita Trinity (4: 28-5) vs. Ellsworth (5: 32-8).

11 -- Silver Lake (1: 41-1) vs. Hesston (8: 26-12).

12 p.m. -- Wichita Trinity vs. Hesston.

1 -- Silver Lake vs. Ellsworth.

2 -- Ellsworth vs. Hesston.

3 -- Silver Lake vs. Wichita Trinity.

Pool II

10 a.m. -- Hoisington (3: 36-4) vs. Holton (6: 34-9).

11 -- Riverton (2: 36-4) vs. Osage City (7: 27-12).

12 p.m. -- Hoisington vs. Osage City.

1 -- Riverton vs. Holton.

2 -- Holton vs. Osage City.

3 -- Riverton vs. Hoisington.

SATURDAY

9 a.m -- Semifinals.

(Championship and third-place matches 25 minutes after conclusion of last semifinal).

Washburn Rural volleyball is the No. 4 seed for the Class 6A state volleyball tournament, with the Junior Blues looking for their ninth state title. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN] 

Eight-time champ Rural No. 4 seed in Class 6A

Eight-time Class 6A state champion Washburn Rural will be making its ninth straight state appearance, earning the No. 4 seed for Friday and Saturday's state event at Tony's Pizza Event Center in Salina with a 30-7 record.

Kevin Bordewick's Junior Blues will open Pool I play in Friday's first match of the day at 10 a.m., facing No. 5 seed Olathe West (26-7).

Washburn Rural's Brynn Anderson has turned in a banner freshman season, helping lead the Junior Blues to a ninth straight Class 6A state tournament berth. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]

After a match break, Washburn Rural will face No. 8 seed Free State (20-12) at 12 p.m. before closing out pool play at 3 p.m. against top seed Mill Valley (31-4).

On the other side of the 6A bracket are No. 2 seed Blue Valley West (30-4), No. 3 Wichita Northwest (30-6), No. 6 Manhattan (27-8) and No. 7 Olathe Northwest (28-9).

The top two finishers in both pools will advance to 1 p.m. semifinals on Saturday, followed by the championship and third-place matches.

CLASS 6A VOLLEYBALL

At Tony's Pizza Events Center, Salina

FRIDAY'S POOL PLAY

Pool I

10 a.m. -- Washburn Rural (4: 30-7) vs. Olathe West (5: 26-7).

11 -- Mill Valley (1: 31-4) vs. Free State (8: 20-12).

12 p.m. -- Washburn Rural vs. Free State.

1 -- Mill Valley vs. Olathe West.

2 -- Olathe West vs. Free State.

3 -- Mill Valley vs. Washburn Rural.

Pool II

10 a.m. -- Wichita Northwest (3: 30-6) vs. Manhattan (6: 27-8).

11 -- Blue Valley West (2: 30-4) vs. Olathe Northwest (7: 28-9).

12 p.m. -- Wichita Northwest vs. Olathe Northwest.

1 -- Blue Valley West vs. Manhattan.

2 -- Manhattan vs. Olathe Northwest.

3 -- Blue Valley West vs. Wichita Northwest.

SATURDAY

1 p.m -- Semifinals.

(Championship and third-place matches 25 minutes after conclusion of last semifinal).

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Veteran Silver Lake volleyball coach Sarah Johnson expected her team to be good this fall, but she is quick to admit that she never really expected the 41-1 record that the Eagles will take into this week's Class 3A state tournament at the Hutchinson Sports Arena.

Silver Lake volleyball celebrates a point in last Saturday's Class 3A sub-state tournament at Silver Lake. [Photo by Jesse Bruner/Special to TSN]

Now the aim for top-seeded Silver Lake is to finish off its dream season with the school's 10th state title and first since 2018.   

"I honestly wasn't expecting this record at this point in the season, however, I did have very high hopes for this squad,'' Johnson said. "My first feeling of, 'this team has the potential to go far,' was this summer at the Mokan volleyball tournament at Washburn University.

"We came out first at that tourney with some tough competition. There is just something special about them. They are all bought in, willing to give their all, okay with being held accountable, and have a love and respect for one another cheering the other one on.''

Silver Lake's only loss came against 5A sub-state finalist Shawnee Heights in its 10th match of the season and the Eagles have reeled off 32 straight wins entering 3A pool play Thursday.  

"Leadership and unity is definitely part of it,'' Johnson said of the Eagles' success.  "A good sign of leadership is the ability to listen. I feel that they are all open to each other's ideas and feedback. They take it and learn from it. A big thing I've seen with this group leading to the success they've had thus far is the ability to not get rattled.

"We talk about getting uncomfortable in practices so when we are faced with uncomfortable situations in matches, it's familiar and we are comfortable. They have that calm confidence that helps them in those tough situations.''

Johnson knows that the Eagles are likely to encounter some of those tough situations in a 3A field that includes five teams with at least 33 wins and all eight with at least 26.

But the Silver Lake coach knows her team is extrememly capable of answering the challenge. 

"Yes, this weekend will be tough,'' Johnson said. "Our goal is to keep at it like we have all year -- limit our own errors, not let a team go on runs and adjust to different players/teams quickly and efficiently without getting rattled.

"(We want to) continue rising to the occasion and competing at a high level physically and mentally.'' 

In the brand new state tournament format installed by the Kansas State High School Activities Association, the 3A field will play its three pool matches on Thursday before a day off on Friday and the semifinals, championship and third-place matches on Saturday.

Silver Lake sophomore Karys Deiter spikes the ball during last Saturday's Class 3A sub-state tournament at Silver Lake. [Photo by Jesse Bruner/Special to TSN]

Silver Lake junior Jaylie Whitehead makes a return during last Saturday's Class 3A sub-state tournament at Silver Lake. [Photo by Jesse Bruner/Special to TSN]

The Eagles will open their state bid at 11 a.m. Thursday with a Pool I match against No. 8 seed Hesston (26-12). After a match off, Silver Lake will return to the court at 1 p.m. to face No. 5 seed Ellsworth (32-8) before closing out pool play with a 3 o'clock match against No. 4 Wichita Trinity (28-5).

On the other side of the 3A bracket are No. 2 seed Riverton (36-4), No. 3 Hoisington (36-4), No. 6 Holton (34-9) and No. 7 Osage City (27-12).

The top two finishers in both pools will advance to 9 a.m. semifinals on Saturday, followed by the championship and third-place matches.

CLASS 3A VOLLEYBALL

At Hutchinson Sports Arena

THURSDAY'S POOL PLAY

Pool I

10 a.m. -- Wichita Trinity (4: 28-5) vs. Ellsworth (5: 32-8).

11 -- Silver Lake (1: 41-1) vs. Hesston (8: 26-12).

12 p.m. -- Wichita Trinity vs. Hesston.

1 -- Silver Lake vs. Ellsworth.

2 -- Ellsworth vs. Hesston.

3 -- Silver Lake vs. Wichita Trinity.

Pool II

10 a.m. -- Hoisington (3: 36-4) vs. Holton (6: 34-9).

11 -- Riverton (2: 36-4) vs. Osage City (7: 27-12).

12 p.m. -- Hoisington vs. Osage City.

1 -- Riverton vs. Holton.

2 -- Holton vs. Osage City.

3 -- Riverton vs. Hoisington.

SATURDAY

9 a.m -- Semifinals.

(Championship and third-place matches 25 minutes after conclusion of last semifinal).

Eight-time Class 6A state champion Washburn Rural will be making its ninth straight state tournament appearance this weekend in Salina. [File photo/TSN]

Washburn Rural takes aim on ninth Class 6A state crown

Eight-time Class 6A state champion Washburn Rural will be looking for title No. 9 this weekend in its ninth straight state appearance.

The 30-7 Junior Blues earned the No. 4 seed for Friday and Saturday's 6A event at Tony's Pizza Event Center in Salina with a 30-7 record.

Six of Rural's seven losses have come against state tournament teams in 6A, 5A and 4A, while the seventh defeat came at the hands of a Gardner-Edgerton team that played in a 6A sub-state final.

And now Washburn Rural coach Kevin Bordewick, who has led the Junior Blues to all eight of their state titles and ranks No. 2 on Kansas' all-time wins list, is hoping his team can step up its game even more this weekend.

"It's all about raising your level of play and your level of intensity, your mental toughness, and all those factors go into it,'' Bordewick said. "But we still have to be us. We can't be somebody we're not.

"The greatest teams make the routine plays more often than just making great plays and if we can just make routine plays more often than the other team we should be alright.'' 

The Junior Blues will open Pool I play in Friday's first match of the day at 10 a.m., facing No. 5 seed Olathe West (26-7), and Bordewick said he wants all of his team's focus to be on that match against an Owls team that defeated Rural 15-25, 25-19, 25-22 early in the season.

"We're just worried about Olathe West,'' he said. "We haven't really talked about any other teams yet. We did not feel like we played well against them, but they had a lot to do with that, too, when we played them way back in early Sept.

Brynn Anderson has turned in a banner freshman season, helping lead the Junior Blues to a ninth straight Class 6A state tournament berth. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]

"I think overall, when you put everything together, we've come a really long way. We expect a lot out of ourselves and we have standards that people strive to get to and I think they've done that. They've continued what we've had for several years really, really well. I'm pretty proud of all of them.'' 

After a match break after facing Olathe West, Washburn Rural will face No. 8 seed Free State (20-12) at 12 p.m. before closing out pool play at 3 p.m. against top seed and two-time defending state champ Mill Valley (31-4).

On the other side of the 6A bracket are No. 2 seed Blue Valley West (30-4), No. 3 Wichita Northwest (30-6), No. 6 Manhattan (27-8) and No. 7 Olathe Northwest (28-9).

The top two finishers in both pools will advance to 1 p.m. semifinals on Saturday, followed by the championship and third-place matches.

CLASS 6A VOLLEYBALL

At Tony's Pizza Events Center, Salina

FRIDAY'S POOL PLAY

Pool I

10 a.m. -- Washburn Rural (4: 30-7) vs. Olathe West (5: 26-7).

11 -- Mill Valley (1: 31-4) vs. Free State (8: 20-12).

12 p.m. -- Washburn Rural vs. Free State.

1 -- Mill Valley vs. Olathe West.

2 -- Olathe West vs. Free State.

3 -- Mill Valley vs. Washburn Rural.

Pool II

10 a.m. -- Wichita Northwest (3: 30-6) vs. Manhattan (6: 27-8).

11 -- Blue Valley West (2: 30-4) vs. Olathe Northwest (7: 28-9).

12 p.m. -- Wichita Northwest vs. Olathe Northwest.

1 -- Blue Valley West vs. Manhattan.

2 -- Manhattan vs. Olathe Northwest.

3 -- Blue Valley West vs. Wichita Northwest.

SATURDAY

1 p.m -- Semifinals.

(Championship and third-place matches 25 minutes after conclusion of last semifinal).

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

Silver Lake topped Council Grove 17-8 Friday night to capture the Class 2A District 3 championship while stretching its win streak to six games.

The Eagles improved to 6-2 overall while wrapping up a perfect 4-0 run to the district title.

Silver Lake has been installed as the No. 4 East seed in 2A and will open its postseason bid with a Friday night home game against No. 13 seed St. Marys (3-5).

The Eagles topped the Bears 21-6 on Sept. 26.

The winner of next Friday's game will advance to the second round of the playoffs to face the winner of the game between No. 5 seed Sabetha (7-1) and No. 12 Humboldt (3-5).  

Rossville caps 8-1 regular season

Rossville wrapped up its Class 1A District 2 championship and a 7-1 regular season with a 49-6 Homecoming win over Wabaunsee Friday night.

The Bulldawgs took control of the game with a 21-0 first quarter, getting a 12-yard touchdown run from Conner Bush, an 8-yard TD from Canann Mitchell and a 49-yard TD pass from Mitchell to Cameron Miller.

Rossville tacked on a 9-yard Mitchell run and a 9-yard Jack Donovan run to take a 35-0 halftime advantage.

Bush scored his second TD of the game on an 18-yard run and Landen Lewis scored on a 4-yard to end Rossville's scoring with 4:02 left in the third quarter.

Wabaunsee scored its lone TD with 6:49 left in the game on a 28-yard pass.

Rossville is the No. 4 East seed and will host No. 13 Mission Valley (4-4) at 7 p.m. next Friday.

The Rossville-Mission Valley winner will advance to take on the winner between No. 5 seed Jefferson County North (7-1) and No. 12 McLouth (3-5). With a win over Mission Valley, the Bulldawgs will host the second-round game.

Hayden senior quarterback Connor Hanika threw for three touchdowns to three different receivers Friday night as the Wildcats improved to 8-0 with a 42-0 district win over Jefferson West. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

Hayden improves to 8-0 with 42-0 district shutout

Hayden continued to roll Friday night in a 42-0 home win over Jefferson West, with the Wildcats improving to 8-0 overall and a perfect 4-0 in Class 3A District 4.

Hayden senior quarterback Connor Hanika threw for three touchdowns, hitting three different receivers for TDs, while senior Jude Krentz ran for a pair of TDs and helped spearhead a defense that blanked the Tigers (6-2 overall, 3-1 in the district).

Hayden senior Jude Krentz ran for a pair of touchdowns and helped the Wildcat defense post a shutout in Friday's 42-0 district win over Jefferson West. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

The Wildcats are the No. 1 East seed in 3A and will host No. 16 seed Columbus (2-6) next Friday night (7 p.m. start).

With a win over Columbus, Hayden will advance to a second-round playoff game to host the winner of the game between No. 8 seed Parsons (3-5) and No. 9 Wellsville (5-3).

Washburn Rural to open Class 6A playoff bid at hom

Washburn Rural, 5-3 on the season, earned a first-round home Class 6A playoff game as the No. 7 West seed.

Rural, which dropped a 43-0 Centennial League decision to Manhattan in its regular-season finale, will host No. 10 Wichita South (3-5) next Friday.

The winner of the Washburn Rural-Wichita South game will move on to face the winner of the game between No. 2 seed Wichita Northwest (7-1) and No. 15 Campus (0-8).  

Scots earn share of Meadowlark Conference crown, No. 8 5A East seed

Highland Park remained unbeaten on the field Friday night on the way to earning a share of the Meadowlark Conference championship with a 42-30 road win at previously-unbeaten Kansas City-Washington.

The Scots, 6-2 overall, built a big lead over the Wildcats and held on down the stretch for the win over Washingon, 7-1 on the year.

Highland Park was installed as the No. 8 Class 5A East seed and will be at Hummer Sports Park next Friday to host No. 9 East seed De Soto (6-2).

The Hi Park-De Soto winner will advance to second round of postseason to face the winner of next Friday's game between top seed Basehor-Linwood (8-0) and No. 16 Blue Valley Southwest (0-8).

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Washburn Rural will make its traditional trip to the Class 6A state volleyball tournament next week after a dominating performance in Saturday's sub-state tourney on the Junior Blues' home court.

Washburn Rural earned its ninth straight trip to the Class 6A state volleyball tournament with a pair of straight-set wins Saturday at Rural. [Washburn Rural Athletics]

Rural, the No. 1 6A West seed, punched its ticket to the state tournament at Salina's Tony's Pizza Event Center with a 25-11, 25-4 semifinal win over No. 16 Wichita West and a 25-11, 25-21 win over No. 8 seed Maize in the championship match.

Now 30-6 on the season, the Junior Blues will be making their ninth straight state tournament appearance and their 27th in 31 seasons under coach Kevin Bordewick, who has led Rural to eight state titles and ranks No. 2 on Kansas' all-time career victory list.

Washburn Rural was ranked No. 5 in the final Kansas Volleyball Association 6A state rankings.

Hayden volleyball poses for a team picture after capturing a Class 4A sub-state title Saturday at Hayden. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

Wildcats survive three-set final to earn return trip to Class 4A state

Hayden, the No. 4 Class 4A East seed, was pushed to three sets by No. 5 seed Eudora but outlasted the Cardinals, 25-23, 24-26, 25-20 Saturday at the Bueltel Activity Center to earn a return trip to next week's state tournament at the Hutchinson Sports Arena.

Hayden senior Reese Huscher spikes the ball during Saturday's Class 4A sub-state at Hayden. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

Hayden senior Ella Foster sets the ball during Saturday's Class 4A sub-state tournament at Hayden. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

Hayden reached the championship match with a 25-7, 25-10 semifinal win over No. 13 Labette County while Eudora survived a three set semifinal with No. 12 seed Ottawa, taking a 20-25, 25-10, 25-19 win over the Cyclones.   

Now 29-9 on the season, Hayden finished third in last year's state tournament and was ranked No. 3 in the final KVA state rankings.

Silver Lake volleyball celebrates its Class 3A sub-state title Saturday at Silver Lake. [Photo by Jesse Bruner/Special to TSN]

Top-ranked Eagles top Riley County to take 3A sub-state crown

Silver Lake, the No. 1 Class 3A East seed and ranked No. 1 by the KVA for seven straight weeks, fought off Riley County in Saturday's sub-state final on the Eagles' home court to advance to next week's state tournament at the Hutchinson Sports Arena.

Silver Lake volleyball celebrates a point during Saturday's Class 3A sub-state tournament at Silver Lake. [Photo by Jesse Bruner/Special to TSN]

Now 41-1 on the season, Silver Lake dropped the first set to No. 3 sub-state seed Riley County, 25-23, but rallied to take 25-21 and 25-15 wins in the next two sets to garner the title.

Silver Lake took a 25-12, 25-9 semifinal win over No. 4 Perry-Lecompton while Riley County needed three sets to knock off No. 2 Nemaha Central, 21-25, 25-19, 25-18.

Rossville volleyball poses for a team picture after earning a Class 2A state tournament berth Saturday at Rossville. [Rossville volleyball]

Bulldawgs advance to 2A state with back-to-back thrillers

Tournament host and top sub-state seed Rossville was pushed to three sets in both its semifinal and championship matches, but the Bulldawgs survived both sets to advance to next week's Class 2A state tournament in Dodge City.

Rossville volleyball celebrates a point during Saturday's Class 2A sub-state tournament at Rossville. [Photo by Jesse Bruner/Special to TSN]

Rossville junior Nora Burdiek spikes the ball during Saturday's Class 2A sub-state tournament at Rossville. [Photo by Jesse Bruner/Special to TSN]

Rossville, ranked No. 7 in the final KVA 2A state rankings, outlasted No. 4 Cair Paravel Latin, 27-25, 19-25, 25-20 in the semifinals before rallying from a first-set loss against No. 2 Maur Hill-Mt. Academy in the sub-state final to take a 22-25, 25-23, 25-12 win.

Maur Hill-Mt. Academy advanced to the final with a 25-16, 27-25 semifinal win over Kansas City Christian. 

The Bulldawgs will take a 28-13 record into the state tournament.

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

Rossville will induct its 2025 Athletic Hall of Fame class on Friday night in conjunction with its Homecoming football game against Wabaunsee.

The Rossville Athletic Hall of Fame is dedicated to the outstanding athletes and coaches who, through their athletic achievements, have brought honor to themselves, their school, and their community.

The class of 2025 includes the late Arica (Shepard) Ahlvers, Mick Keller, Monte Mitchell and the Bulldawgs' 2000 state championship softball team.

Hall of Fame capsules: 

ARICA (SHEPARD) AHLVERS

A 2005 Rossville graduate, Ahlvers was a two-time Kansas Volleyball Association All-State volleyball player for Rossville. She helped lead her team to a third-place finish in Class 3A in 2004. Ahlvers holds two records at RHS and continued her volleyball career at Emporia State University. While at ESU, she was a three-time AVCA All-American, four-time All-MIAA honoree and the Hornets' record-holder for single-season and career kills, kills per set, double-figure kill matches and 20-plus kill matches. She was inducted into the ESU Hall of Fame in 2020.

MICK KELLER

Keller was the head baseball coach at Rossville from 1979-2006. He is Rossville’s all-time winningest coach with a record of 336-238. He had 14 state qualifying teams, which included Rossville’s first state baseball championship in 1991. He had three runnerup team finishes in 1985, 1986, and 1997, 49 all-league players and 55 All-State and honorable mention players. He also coached football and basketball during his teaching career at RHS from 1978-2013.

MONTE MITCHELL 

A 1997 Rossville graduate, Mitchell was an all-league and All-State catcher in 1997 and 1998. He was a Kansas Baseball Coaches Association All-Star, a top 15 player in all classes and USA Today High School All-American in 1998. He continued his baseball career at Butler Community College from 1999-2000, where he was the team captain and made the All-Jayhawk Conference team in 2000. Next, he took his career to Division I Nicholls State University in 2001-2002. There, he was named to the All-Southland Conference team in 2002 with 101 career starts.

ROSSVILLE 2000 SOFTBALL TEAM

After falling one game short of a championship in 1999, Rossville won the the 2000 Class 2-1A state softball championship. The state champion team members include Erin Catron, Shayla Catron, Lena Cooper, Kayla Copeland, Ashley Dick, Laci Dick (first-team All-Mid-East League), Melissa Ebert, Jennifer Foster, Jamie Gall (first-team All-Mid-East League), Holly Gentry (All-Mid-East League honorable mention), Jozi Lutackes, Emily Napier, Jaime Robb, and Courtney Templer, who pitched all three state games as a freshman. The team was led by head coach Wendi Horak and assistant coaches Nanny Matthias and the late Jess Adams.

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

(Allkickoffs at 7 p.m.)

FRIDAY NIGHT'S GAMES

Connor Hanika, Hayden

JEFFERSON WEST (6-1, 3-0 Class 3A District 4) at HAYDEN (7-0, 3-0 Class 3A District 4)

Hayden and Jefferson West will square off for the Class 3A District 4 title Friday night. The Wildcats are coming off a 48-7 district win at Perry-Lecompton last Friday while Jefferson West took a 54-12 non-district win over Atchison County. Hayden senior Kade Mitchell has carried the ball 61 times for 586 yards and has scored 14 total touchdowns while senior quarterback Connor Hanika has completed 61 of 106 passes for 950 yards and 13 TDs. Mahki Kidd has caught 18 passes for 178 yards and three touchdowns.

MANHATTAN (5-2, 2-1 Centennial League) at WASHBURN RURAL (5-2, 2-1 Centennial League)

Washburn Rural dropped a 35-20 Centennial League decision at Junction City last Friday after losing standout senior quarterback John Hoytal to an injury in the first half while Manhattan rolled to a 50-0 home league win over Topeka High. Both the Junior Blues and Indians are in line to host a first-round Class 6A West playoff game.

Joseph Kingcannon, Highland Park 

HIGHLAND PARK (5-2, 4-1 Meadowlark) at KC-WASHINGTON (7-0, 5-0 Meadowlark)

Highland Park can earn a share of the Meadowlark Conference championship with a win Friday. Both teams are unbeaten on the field, with Kansas City-Washington coming off a 49-33 Meadowlark win over KC-Schlagle while Highland Park picked up a forfeit win over Kansas City-East, Mo. last Friday. Scot senior quarterback Dontrail Fox has completed 16 of 30 passes for 465 yards and six touchdowns in Hi Park's four on-field games while junior Joseph Kingcannon has gained 380 yards and scored four TDs on just 21 attempts and has caught six passes for 273 yards and three TDs. Junior G'Honi Montgomery has 341 rushing yards and three TDs on 41 carries.

PITTSBURG (3-4) vs. TOPEKA HIGH (3-4)

At Hummer Sports Park

Topeka High will close out its regular season with a non-league game against Pittsburg. The Trojans dropped a 50-0 Centennial League decision at Manhattan last Friday while Pittsburg is coming off a 42-0 win over Chanute. The Trojans and Purple Dragons have one common opponent, with Pittsburg opening its season with a 24-14 victory over Emporia while High took a 13-12 win over the Spartans in its league opener.

Cameron Miller, Rossville

WABAUNSEE (4-3, 3-1 Class 1A District 2) at ROSSVILLE (6-1, 4-0 Class 1A District 2)

Rossville remained unbeaten in the District 2 race with a come-from-behind 36-22 win over Olpe while Wabaunsee has won three straight games, including a 36-21 district win over Mission Valley last Friday. Rossville senior quarterback Canann Mitchell has completed 67 of 103 passes for 981 yards and 12 touchdowns and rushed for 566 yards and eight TDs on 73 attempts. Conner Bush has carried the ball 36 times for 435 yards and six TDs while Cameron Miller has 24 catches for 398 yards and six TDs and Jack Donovan has 25 catches for 298 yards and two TDs. 

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Silver Lake earned the No. 1 spot in Class 3A in the final Kansas Volleyball Association state ranking, the Eagles' seventh straight week atop the rankings.

Silver Lake earned the top spot in Class 3A in the final 2025 Kansas Volleyball Association state rankings, the Eagles' seventh straight week at No. 1 [File photo/TSN] 

Silver Lake, 36-1 at the time of the rankings, is joined in the rankings by fellow Shawnee County schools Washburn Rural, Hayden and Rossville.

Hayden (26-8) maintained the No. 3 spot in 4A, while Washburn Rural (28-6) moved up a spot to No. 5 in 6A and Rossville (23-13) remained No. 7 in 2A.

Kansas Volleyball Association State Rankings

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Silver Lake and Rossville's volleyball teams both took their first steps to state tournament berths with Class 3A and 2A regional championships Monday night.

Kylie Hanni and the Silver Lake Eagles will host a Class 3A sub-state volleyball tournament on Saturday. [File photo/TSN]

Nora Burdiek and Rossville volleyball will host a Class 2A sub-state on Saturday. [File photo]

The Eagles and Bulldawgs will now host sub-state tournaments on Saturday, vying for berths in next week's state tournaments at Hutchinson (3A) and Dodge City (2A).

Silver Lake, top-ranked in 3A, rolled to three straight regional wins Monday night on its home court, taking a 25-9, 25-8 win over Council Grove, a 25-16, 25-11 win over Hiawatha and a 25-11, 25-18 win over Pleasant Ridge to wrap up the regional crown.

The Eagles will host 3A sub-state No. 1 at 2 p.m. on Saturday, facing Perry-Lecompton in one semifinal while Nemaha Central will face Riley County in the other semi. The two winners will meet for the sub-state title.

Rossville hosted a 2A regional Monday and the Bulldawgs went a perfect 3-0 with a 25-10, 25-8 win over McLouth, a 25-13, 25-8 victory over Central Heights and a 25-9, 25-14 win over Mission Valley.

The Bulldawgs will host 2A sub-state No. 2 on Saturday, taking on Cair Paravel Latin in a semifinal match while Maur Hill-Mt. Academy will square off against Kansas City Christian in the other semifinal. The two winners will play for the sub-state championship.

Cair Paravel went 2-1 in Monday's 2A regional at Jefferson North, posting a 26-24, 19-25, 26-24 win over Horton and a 25-16, 25-16 win over Atchison County before dropping a 25-16, 25-23 match to Jefferson North.

Washburn Rural, the No. 1 Class 6A West seed, will be aiming for its ninth straight state berth in a Saturday sub-state at Rural. [File photo/TSN]

Class 6A sub-state at Washburn Rural

Perennial state power Washburn Rural will be looking for its 27th Class 6A state tournament berth in Kevin Bordewick's 31st year as head coach and ninth straight when Rural hosts a sub-state tournament (1 p.m. start) on Saturday.

The Junior Blues, the No. 1 West seed at 28-6, will open their sub-state bid with a semifinal match against Wichita West (5-29) while Maize (16-20) will face Wichita East (5-28) in the other semifinal before the two winners face off in the championship match.

The sub-state champion will advance to next week's Class 6A state tournament at the Tony's Pizza Event Center in Salina.

Hailey Schmidtlein and Hayden volleyball will host a Class 4A sub-state tournament on Saturday. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]

Class 4A sub-state at Hayden

Hayden, third in Class 4A a year ago, will host a sub-state tournament on Saturday (1 p.m. start) in the Bueltel Activity Center, vying for a return trip to state next week at the Hutchinson Sports Arena.

The Wildcats, 26-9 on the season and the No. 4 East seed, will play Labette County (12-22) in a semifinal match while No. 5 seed Eudora (25-10) will take on Ottawa (12-20) in the other semifinal.

The two semifinal winners will square off in the sub-state championship match.

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

Rossville scored 22 fourth-quarter points to rally past Olpe 36-22 in a Class 1A District 2 showdown Friday night at Olpe.

Canann Mitchell, Rossville

The Bulldawgs, now 6-1 overall and 4-0 in the district, trailed 16-14 at the end of the third quarter before taking the lead for good on a 34-yard touchdown run from senior quarterback Canann Mitchell and a 2-point conversion pass from Mitchell to senior Cameron Miller, giving Rossville a 22-16 lead.

With 4:26 remaining senior Conner Bush returned an Eagle punt 85 yards for a TD (conversion failed) to give the Bulldawgs a 28-16 lead.

Then, after Olpe (5-2, 3-1) scored on a 25-yard pass, Rossville scored its final TD on an 81-yard run from Mitchell with 1:48 left and Mitchell added a 2-point conversion pass to Andre Johnson to account for the final margin.

Rossville and Olpe were tied 14-14 at the half, with the Bulldawgss getting first-half touchdowns on a 71-yard Bush run and a 32-yard run from senior Jack Donovan.

Rossville will close out its regular season at home Friday against Wabaunsee.

Wildcats remain undefeated with 48-7 district rout at Perry-Lecompton

Hayden improved to 7-0 overall and 3-0 in Class 3A District 4 with Friday's 48-7 road win over Perry-Lecompton (1-6, 0-3).

The Wildcats will be back at home next Friday to host Jefferson West in a showdown for the district title. The Tigers, 6-1 overall and 3-0 in the district, are coming off a 50-12 non-district win over Atchison County.

T-Birds post second straight UKC victory

Shawnee Heights improved to 3-4 overall and 3-3 in the United Kansas Conference with a 42-8 road victory at Lansing Friday night.

Shawnee Heights will be at home on Friday to close out its regular season against Kansas City-Turner. 

Lions pick up second win in 54-13 district win

Cair Paravel Latin notched its second victory of the season Friday, taking a 54-13 Class 1A District 2 road win over Maranatha  Academy.

The Lions, now 2-5 overall and 1-3 in the district, will close out their regular season at Yager Stadium Saturday night against Olpe.

Unbeaten Basehor-Linwood rallies past Seaman, 47-40

Basehor-Linwood improved to 7-0 overall and 6-0 in the United Kansas Conference last Friday night at home, rallying from a nine-point deficit in the fourth quarter to take a 47-40 conference victory over Seaman.

The game was tied at 7-all after one quarter and Seaman led 17-14 at the half.

Basehor-Linwood led 24-17 at the start of the fourth quarter before both teams scored 23 points over the final 12 minutes.

Seaman junior Cale Ketter completed 24 of 44 passes for 390 yards and five touchdowns, while junior Coy Barta had five catches for 149 yards and three TDs, junior Jack Becker had eight catches for 85 yards, junior Josh Brown had seven grabs for seven catches for 97 yards and a TD and senior Noah Kobuszewski caught three passes for 53 yards and a score.

Viking sophomore Quentin Moravec carried the ball 17 times for 61 yards. 

The Vikings, who fell to 3-4 overall and 3-3 in the UKC, will travel to De Soto next Friday to close out their regular season.

Leavenworth rolls past Topeka West 56-6 for sixth straight win

Leavenworth posted its sixth straight victory, improving to 6-1 overall and 6-1 in the United Kansas Conference with a 56-6 win over Topeka West Friday night at Hummer Sports Park.

West, now 1-6 overall and 1-6 in the UKC, will close out its regular season next Friday at Piper.

Trojans fall to Centennial League foe Manhattan

Topeka High fell to 3-4 overall and 1-3 in the Centennial League with a 50-0 Friday night loss at Manhattan in the Trojans' final league game of the season.

Manhattan improved to 5-2 overall and 2-1 in the league entering a game next Friday at Washburn Rural.

Topeka High will be at Hummer Sports Park next Friday to face Pittsburg in a non-league contest.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

It's probably safe to say that nobody in Monday and Tuesday's Class 5A state tournament field has played more rounds at Emporia Municipal Golf Course than Seaman senior Elise Eckert.

Seaman senior Elise Eckert will be shooting for her fourth straight Class 5A state medal this week in Emporia. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

After all, Emporia Municipal was Eckert's home course growing up and through her first three years of high school golf  before her family moved to Topeka prior to this school year after her junior year at Emporia High.

Now Eckert, who was a three-time 5A state medalist for the Spartans, is hoping to use her vast knowledge of the tournament layout to cap her high school career with a run at the state title.

"I'm so glad that state's at Emporia this year,'' Eckert said. "I know where the ins and outs are of the course for sure. But you can't get too comfortable with any course.

"I've played this course a bunch, but you know there's still new spots you haven't seen that you'll find eventually and you've just got to play that day.''   

Eckert followed up her city and United Kansas Conference individual championships with a second-place regional finish last Monday at Shawnee County Club as the Vikings advanced to state as a team with a runnerup finish behind Andover (342-355).

Eckert carded a two-over-par 75 at regionals to finish second behind Regan Dusenbery's two-under 71 while Seaman also got a fourth-place finish from Makenna Stuke (90), a tie for seventh from Kaitlynn Frye (94), a 10th-place finish from Chloe Schmidtlein (96) and a 16th from Molina Quintana (110).

Eckert feels like her game is in pretty good shape entering her final high school state tournament.

"I feel like if I can keep up with what I've been doing right now I think I'll be in pretty good shape for state,'' Eckert said.  

Topeka West senior Berlyn Kolean qualified for state as an individual with a 109 while Shawnee Heights junior Lauryn Valdivia qualified for state as an individual with a 112.

State tournaments at all sites are scheduled to get under way at 9 a.m. on Monday and 10 a.m. on Tuesday after the fields are cut to the top six teams and top individuals.

Junior Kailyn Petersen placed third in last Monday's Class 6A regional to lead Washburn Rural to a runnerup team finish. [File photo/TSN]

Class 6A at Hesston

Washburn Rural girls golf will compete in the Class 6A state tournament for the 20th straight season in Jared Goehring's 20 years as head coach, qualifying for the state meet at Hesston Golf Course with a runnerup finish in last Monday's regional tournament at Sim Park Golf Course.

Rural, which has captured four 6A state titles, posted a four-person score of 335 to finish second behind champion Olathe West (328).

Junior Kailyn Petersen led the Junior Blues with a third-place regional finish, shooting a 79, while Taryn Jellison placd fourth with an 83.

The Junior Blues also got a tie for fifth from Lauren Cox (85), an 11th-place finish from Briley Miles (88), a tie for 14th from Peyton Merrick (92) and a 16th-place showing from Ella Taggart (93).

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

(Allkickoffs at 7 p.m.)

FRIDAY NIGHT'S GAMES

Josiah Wilkie, Topeka West

LEAVENWORTH (5-1, 5-1 UKC) vs. TOPEKA WEST (1-5, 1-5 UKC)

At Hummer Sports Park

Topeka West picked up its first win of 2025 last Friday, rallying for a 42-27 United Kansas Conference victory at Kansas City-Turner, while Leavenworth posted its fifth straight win, a 27-14 UKC decision over De Soto.

Dayne Johnson, Silver Lake

OSAGE CITY (6-0, 2-0 Class 2A District 3) at SILVER LAKE (4-2, 2-0 Class 2A District 3)

Osage City and Silver Lake will square off in a game that is likely to decide the Class 2A District 3 championship. Osage City remained unbeaten last week with a 49-14 district win over St. Marys while Silver Lake ran its winning streak to four straight games with a 42-8 district win over Riley County.

John Hoytal, Washburn Rural [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]

WASHBURN RURAL (5-1, 2-0 Centennial League)at JUNCTION CITY (4-2, 2-0 Centennial League)

Washburn Rural will put its three-game winning streak on the line in a game that will give the winner a leg up in the Centennial League race. Washburn Rural is coming off a 38-0 league road win at Emporia while Junction City took a 44-6 league win over Topeka High.

TOPEKA HIGH (3-3, 1-2 Centennial League) at MANHATTAN (4-2, 1-1 Centennial League)

Topeka High is coming off a 44-6 Centennial League loss to Junction City while Manhattan dropped a 40-13 non-league decision to Wichita Northwest last week. The Indians will be looking to keep their Centennial League title hopes alive while the Trojans will be trying to snap a two-game league losing streak.

AJ Gallegos, Shawnee Heights

SHAWNEE HEIGHTS (2-4, 2-3 UKC) at LANSING (2-4, 2-3 UKC)

Shawnee Heights posted its biggest win of the season last Friday, riding an outsanding defensive effort to a 20-3 United Kansas Conference road win at city rival Seaman, while Lansing dropped a 44-13 UKC decision to Piper.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Seaman girls golf coach Julie McLaughlin was quick to admit that the Vikings didn't have their best day in Monday's Class 5A regional tournament at Shawnee Country Club.

Seaman senior Elise Eckert finished second in Monday's Class 5A regional with a 75, leading the Vikings to a second-place team finish. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

But the city and United Kansas Conference champs played plenty good enough to earn a berth in next week's state tournament at Emporia with a second-place regional team finish.

"I think we've got some work to do,'' McLaughlin said. "I think we're a little bit disappointed in the outcome. Andover played a heck of a game today, they did great.''

Seaman senior Elise Eckert will be aiming for her fourth Class 5A state medal in next week's state tournament at Emporia. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Led by senior Elise Eckert's runnerup individual finish with a 75, Seaman posted a four-person score of 355 to finish second behind team champion Andover's 342.

Eckert, the city and UKC medalist, turned in a solid two-over-par round, finishing as the runnerup to Andover's Regan Dusenbery, who carded a two-under-par 71.

"I'm definitely feeling a little better after this, '' said Eckert, a three-time 5A state medalist. "I wasn't playing great this weekend, so I'm really glad that I was able to come out here and play better after working on a lot of stuff this weekend.''

"Elise had a strong round. She was right where we needed her to be,'' McLaughlin said.

Seaman senior Makenna Stuke shot a 90 to finish fourth in Monday's Class 5A regional tournament at Shawnee Country Club. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Seaman got a fourth-place tie from Makenna Stuke (90), while Kaitlynn Frye tied for seventh (94), Chloe Schmidtlein was 10th (96) and Molina Quintana placed 16th (110).

"We've got a lot of work to do this week, but we're still fully capable,'' McLaughlin said. "We just did not play up to our ability today.''

Topeka West senior Berlyn Kolean qualified for state as an individual with a 109.

Shawnee Heights finished fourth as a team, with T-Bird junior Lauryn Valdivia qualiying for state as an individual with a 112.

The state tournament will be played Monday and Tuesday at Emporia Municipal Golf Course.

CLASS 5A REGIONAL TOURNAMENT

At Shawnee Country Club 

Team scores 

Andover 342, Seaman 355,Basehor-Linwood 418, Piper 463, Shawnee Heights 489.

1. Regan Dusenbery, Andover, 71; 2. Elise Eckert, Seaman, 75;3. Isabel Hawley, Andover, 87; 4. Makenna Stuke, Seaman, 90;5. Grier Hand, Andover, 90; 6. Aubrey Ziolo, Basehor-Linwood, 93; 7. (tie) Kaitlynn Frye, Seaman,and Maren Nelson, 94; 9. Claire Fitzgerald, Basehor-Linwood, 95; 10. Chloe Schmidtlein, Seaman, 96.

Other Seaman -- 16. Molina Quintana, 110. 

Shawnee Heights – 17. Lauryn Valdivia, 112; 21. Elsie Willmann, 120; 24. (tie) Makenna Bryant, 125; 28. Mia Mattox, 132.

Topeka West – 14. (tie) Berlyn Kolean, 109; 24. (tie) Lily Bowen, 125.

Individual state qualifiers -- Georgia Lightfoot, Piper; Berlyn Kolean, Topeka West; Hadley Heim, Piper; Lauryn Valdivia, Shawnee Heights; Kelsey Shull, Emporia.

Washburn Rural girls golf posted a second-place Class 6A regional finish Monday to earn a state berth. [Washburn Rural golf]

Rural earns Class 6A state berth with runnerup regional showing

Monday was business as usual for Washburn Rural girls golf, with the Junior Blues qualifying for the Class 6A state tournament for the 20th straight season in Jared Goehring's 20 years as head coach.

Rural, which has captured four 6A state titles, posted a four-person score of 335 at Sim Park Golf Course to finish second behind champion Olathe West (328).

Washburn Rural junior Kailyn Petersen placed third in Monday's Class 6A regional at Sim Park. [File photo/TSN]

Kailyn Petersen led the Junior Blues with a third-place finish, shooting a 79, while Taryn Jellison placd fourth with an 83.

The Junior Blues also got a tie for fifth from Lauren Cox (85), an 11th-place finish from Briley Miles (88), a tie for 14th from Peyton Merrick (92) and a 16th-place showing from Ella Taggart (93).

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Defending Class 1A District 2 champion Rossville improved to 3-0 in the district and 5-1 overall with a 49-14 win over Cair Paravel Latin Friday night at Yager Stadium.

Andre Johnson, Rossville

Conner Bush, Rossville

The Bulldawgs jumped out to a 14-0 first-quarter advantage and went up by a commanding 34-6 margin at the half before outscoring the Lions 15-8 in the second half as Cair Paravel fell to 1-5 overall and 0-3 in the district.

Seniors Conner Bush and Andre Johnson both had a pair of rushing touchdowns on the night, with Bush scoring on 3 and 8-yard runs and Johnson scoring on 2 and 5-yard runs.

Senior quarterback Canann Mitchell threw for a 31-yard touchdown to Cale Horak and completed a 9-yard TD strike to Jack Donovan.

The Bulldawgs also got a 10-yard TD scamper from Landen Lewis while Austin Dohrman kicked three extra points and Donovan added a pair of PATs. Johnson also scored on a two-point conversion in addition to his two TDs. 

With Friday's win Rossville set up a district showdown at Olpe next Friday. The Eagles are 5-1 overall and 3-0 in the district.

 Chargers rally to pick up first win

Topeka West used a 30-point fourth quarter to pull out a 42-27 United Kansas Conference road win at Kansas City-Turner Friday night.

Trey Parker, Topeka West

Josiah Wilkie, Topeka West

Turner, 1-5 overall and 0-5 in the UKC, led Topeka West, 1-5, 1-5, by a 7-6 margin at the end of the first quarter and built a 21-12 halftime advantage that also held up through a scoreless third quarter.

But the Chargers played their best football over the final 12 minutes, outscoring the Bears 30-6 to pull out the 15-point victory.

Topeka West has yet to lose to Turner since joining the UKC.

The Chargers will be back at Hummer Sports Park next Friday to host red-hot Leavenworth in a UKC contest.

The Pioneers are 5-1 overall and in the UKC after taking a 27-14 win over De Soto Friday night.

Eagles push win streak to four games

Silver Lake posted its fourth straight victory Friday night, improving to 4-2 overall and 2-0 in Class 2A District 3 with a 42-8 road win at Riley County.

The Eagles rode a strong defensive effort to the decisive win, led by senior Jayden Waterer.

Waterer had 10 tackles on the night, including three of Silver Lake's seven sacks.

Waterer caused two fumbles and had a fumble recovery while senior Dayne Johnson had a pass interception.

Silver Lake will be back at home next Friday to host undefeated Osage City in a district showdown.

The Indians are 6-0 overall and 2-0 in the district after a 49-14 win over St. Marys.

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

(Allkickoffs at 7 p.m.)

THURSDAY NIGHT'S GAME

ATCHISON (3-2, 3-1 Meadowlark) vs. HIGHLAND PARK (3-2, 3-1 Meadowlark)

At Hummer Sports Park

JoJo Kingcannon, Highland Park 

Highland Park will play for the first time in three weeks, returning to action after forfeiting back to back games to Kansas City-Harmon and Wichita East. The Scots will be facing an Atchison team that is coming off an 82-44 Meadowlark Conference loss to KC-Washington. Highland Park senior quarterback Dontrail Fox has completed 9 of 20 passes for 274 yards and 3 touchdowns while junior JoJo Kingcannon has caught 5 passes for 200 yards and 2 TDs. Kingcannon leads the Scots with 293 rushing yards and 4 TDs on 13 carries while junior G'Honi Montgomery has 256 yards and 3 TDs on 32 attempts. 

FRIDAY NIGHT'S GAMES

SHAWNEE HEIGHTS (1-4, 1-3 UKC) at SEAMAN (3-2, 3-1 UKC)

Quentin Moravec, Seaman

Aiden Scott, Shawnee Heights

Seaman ran its winning streak to three games last Friday with a 48-8 United Kansas Conference romp past Lansing while Shawnee Heights is coming off a 50-48 UKC heartbreaker to De Soto. Seaman junior quarterback Cale Ketter has completed 82 of 125 passes for 1,118 yards and 15 touchdowns while junior Josh Brown has 22 catches for 303 yards and 6 TDs, junior Coy Barta has 18 catches for 223 yards and 4 TDs and senior Noah Kobuszewski has 19 catches for 300 yards and 2 TDs. Viking junior Quentin Moravec has carried the ball 92 times for 644 yards and 11 TDs. Heights senior quarterback Aiden Scott passed for more than 600 yards last Friday and has completed 127 of 200 attempts for 1,956 yards and 15 touchdowns while junior AJ Gallegos has 40 catches for 601 yards and 3 TDs, while Dallas Owens has 33 catches for 419 yards and 3 TDs and senior Tyren Parker 22 receptions for 500 yards and 3 scores.

HOLTON (3-2, 1-1 Class 3A District 4) at HAYDEN (5-0, 1-0 Class 3A District 4)

Kade Mitchell, Hayden

Rivals Hayden and Holton square off in a key Class 3A District 4 contest Friday night. Hayden rolled to a 51-0 district win over Hiawatha last week while Holton dropped a 27-17 district decision to Jefferson West. Hayden senior quarterback Connor Hanika has completed 40 of 73 passes for 612 yards and 7 touchdowns while senior Kade Mitchell has carried the ball 38 times for 399 yards and has scored nine total TDs and senior Jackson McGivern has 250 yards on 28 carries and scored five total touchdowns. Junior Mason Becker is 24 of 24 on extra point attempts while also scoring two TDs and two 2-point conversions.

JUNCTION CITY (3-2, 1-0 Centennial League) vs. TOPEKA HIGH (3-2, 1-1 Centennial)

At Hummer Sports Park

Zane Smith, Topeka High

Both the Blue Jays and Trojans are coming off losses, with Junction City dropping a 34-28 non-league decision to Hays and Topeka falling to Centennial League foe Washburn Rural, 35-6. Topeka High senior quarterback Zane Smith completed 12 of 26 passes for 284 yards against Washburn Rural while also carrying the ball 17 times for 85 yards. Junior Courtney Sanders caught 5 passes for 192 yards, including a 76-yard touchdown reception. Junction City is 1-0 in the Centennial League race after beating Manhattan 28-14 two weeks ago.

ROSSVILLE (4-1, 2-0 Class 1A District 2) vs. CAIR PARAVEL LATIN (1-4, 0-2 Class 1A District 2)

At Yager Stadium

Conner Bush, Rossville

Defending Class 1A District 2 champ Rossville is off and running in the district race again this fall, improving to 2-0 with a 55-6 win over Mission Valley last week. Cair Paravel is coming off a 53-25 district loss to Wabaunsee. Rossville, which advanced to the 1A semifinals a year ago, opened up a commanding 43-6 halftime lead over the Vikings and cruised the rest of the way. Senior quarterback Canann Mitchell passed for two touchdown and ran for a 52-yard TD in the Rossville win while Conner Bush ran for a pair of TDs. 

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Four Shawnee County schools continue to earn Top 10 spots in the Kansas Volleyball Association's state rankings released Wednesday, led by Class 3A Silver Lake, which is ranked No. 1 for the fifth straight week.

Silver Lake remains top-ranked in Class 3A, improving to 32-1 on the season. [File photo/TSN]

Coming off the championship in its home tournament last Saturday and a pair of wins on Tuesday, Silver Lake is now 32-1 on the season. The Eagles' lone loss came against 5A Shawnee Heights. 

Hayden (19-7) is ranked No. 3 in 4A while Washburn Rural is No. 6 in 6A and 16-4 after winning the Centennial League tournament and going 7-0 last week.

Rossville (19-10) is ranked sixth in 2A.

Kansas Volleyball Association State Rankings

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Four Shawnee County schools continue to earn Top 10 spots in the Kansas Volleyball Association's state rankings released Wednesday, led by Class 3A Silver Lake, which is ranked No. 1 for the sixth straight week.

Silver Lake volleyball is ranked No. 1 in the KVA Class 3A state rankings for the sixth straight week. [File photo/TSN]

Silver Lake is now 34-1 on the season. The Eagles' lone loss came against 5A Shawnee Heights. 

Hayden (23-7) is ranked No. 3 in 4A while Washburn Rural (21-4) is No. 6 in 6A and Rossville (23-13) is ranked seventh  in 2A.

Kansas Volleyball Association State Rankings

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Silver Lake football took control in the second half to extend its win streak to three games Friday night with a 47-7 non-league home win over Baldwin.

Kipton Kruger, Silver Lake

Dayne Johnson, Silver Lake

The 3-2 Eagles trailed 7-6 midway through the second quarter before ending the game with 41 unanswered points to turn the game into a rout.

Senior Bryson Burgos scored on a 7-yard run to give Silver Lake a slim 13-7 halftime advantage before the Eagles outscored the 3-2 Bulldogs 20-0 in the third quarter and 14-0 in the fourth.

Junior Owen Rottinghaus began Silver Lake's big second half with an 80-yard kickoff return before freshman quarterback Kipton Kruger and senior receiver Dayne Johnson connected on touchdown passes of 78, 17 and 4 yards.

Sophomore Jake Workman scored Silver Lake's final TD on a 27-yard run.

Now 3-2 overall, the Eagles will return to Class 2A District 4 play next Friday, traveling to Riley County. 

Silver Lake is 1-0 in the district while Riley County is 1-4 overall and 0-2 in the district.

Rossville improves to 2-0 in 1A district play with 55-6 romp

Rossville improved to 2-0 in the Class 1A District 2 race Friday night with a 55-6 home romp past Mission Valley.

The Bulldawgs, now 4-1 overall, took control with a pair of first-quarter touchdowns, from Landen Lewis on an 8-yard run and from Andre Johnson on a 38-yard run, and scored 29 points in the second quarter to build a huge 43-6 halftime advantage over the Vikings (3-2, 1-1).

Canann Mitchell, Rossville

Conner Bush scored a pair of second-quarter TDs on runs of 52 and 25 yards while quarterback Canann Mitchell  completed a 25-yard TD pass to Cameron Miller and a 35-yard scoring strike to Cale Horak.

Mitchell added a 52-yard touchdown run in the third quarter before Ryder Foster finished the Bulldawgs' scoring with a 29-yard pick six.

Mitchell completed 7 of 8 passes for 125 yards and the twoTDs and carried the ball three times for 61 yards and a touchdown.

Bush scored on both of his carries while Johnson carried the ball four times for 55 yards and a TD and Miller had four catcthes for 80 yards and a score.

Rossville will face Cair Paravel Latin Friday night at Washburn's Yager Stadium.

Unbeaten Hayden routs Hiawatha, 51-0

Hayden opened Class 3A District 4 play with a 51-0 road romp past Hiawatha Friday night, improving to 5-0 on the season.

The Wildcats took control with a 22-point opening quarter and led 29-0 at halftime.

Hayden finished off the rout with a 22-point third quarter to build its final margin.

The Wildcats will be at home next Friday to host Holton in a district game. Holton is 3-2 overall and 1-1 in the district after a 27-17 Friday night loss to Jefferson West. 

Seaman stretches win streak to three games with 48-8 romp past Lansing

Seaman won its third straight United Kansas Conference game Friday night, rolling to a 48-8 road win at Lansing.

The Vikings are now 3-2 overall and 3-1 in the UKC.

Seaman will be at home Friday to face UKC and city rival Shawnee Heights. 

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

FRIDAY NIGHT'S GAMES

(Allkickoffs at 7 p.m.)

John Hoytal, Washburn Rural [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]

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

Both Topeka High and Washburn Rural are coming off victories, with the Trojans opening Centennial League play wih a 13-12 home win over Emporia while the Junior Blues rolled to a 31-7 non-league road win at Blue Valley Northwest. Friday is Rural's Centennial League opener. Junior Blues senior quarterback John Hoytal threw for three touchdowns against Northwest while junior Jadyn Baum caught a touchdown pass and ran for a TD and senior Brody Haas picked off two passes, returning one for a TD. Topeka High's defense came up big in last week's win over Emporia, including stuffing the Spartans' two-point conversion attempt to preserve the Trojans' one-point lead.

Aiden Scott, Shawnee Heights [File photo/TSN]

DE SOTO (3-1, 3-1 UKC) at SHAWNEE HEIGHTS (1-3, 1-2 UKC)

Both teams are coming off United Kansas Conference losses, with De Soto dropping a 42-38 nailbiter to undefeated Basehor-Linwood while Shawnee Heights fell 43-29 on the road at Leavenworth. Heights senior quarterback Aiden Scott has completed 95 of 153 passes for 1,330 yards and 12 touchdowns while senior AJ Gallegos has a team-high 28 catches for 391 yards and a pair of TDs and junior Dallas Owens has 27 receptions for 312 yards and two TDs. Senior David Wakes has 281 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 60 attemps. Senior Dayton Vanderpool leads Heights with 36 tackles, including 23 solo stops.

Jackson McGivern, Hayden [File photo/TSN] 

HAYDEN (4-0, 0-0 Class 3A District 4) at HIAWATHA (1-3, 0-1 Class 3A District 4)

Hayden is coming of a 42-7 home win over Wamego, with the Wildcats avenging one of their two defeats in the 2024 season, while Hiawatha opened Class 3A District 4 play with a 12-7 loss to Jefferson West. Hayden senior quarterback Connor Hanika hit Jackson McGivern, Xander Blasing and Kade Mitchell for touchdowns and Hanika also ran for a TD in the Wildcats' win. Junior Mason Becker returned a pass interception for a touchdown and also went 6 for 6 on extra-point kicks.

Quentin Moravec, Seaman [File photo/TSN]

SEAMAN (2-2, 2-1 UKC) at LANSING (2-2, 2-1 UKC)

Seaman won its second straight game last Friday, a 56-6 United Kansas Conference win over Kansas City-Turner, while Lansing took a 36-20 conference win over Topeka West. Seaman sophomore running back Quentin Moravec has carried the ball 70 times for 510 yards and nine touchdowns while junior quarterback Cale Ketter has completed 68 of 102 passes for 892 yards and 11 TDs. Junior Josh Brown has 20 pass receptions for 266 yards and six TDs. Senior Cameron Brian leads the Vikings with 54 tackles, including 28 solo stops and five tackles for loss.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Four Shawnee County schools continue to earn Top 10 spots in the Kansas Volleyball Association's state rankings released Wednesday, led by Class 3A Silver Lake, which is ranked No. 1 for the fourth straight week.

Silver Lake volleyball is ranked No. 1 in the KVA Class 3A state rankings for the fourth straight week. [File photo/TSN]

Silver Lake was 22-1 at the time of the rankngs, with the Eagles' lone loss coming against 5A Shawnee Heights. 

Hayden (14-5) is ranked No. 3 in 4A while Rossville (14-6) is ranked fifth in 2A while Washburn Rural (9-4) is No. 6-ranked in 6A.

Kansas Volleyball Association State Rankings

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Defending Class 1A District 2 champion Rossville opened defense of its district crown with a 69-0 road romp past Maranatha Christian Academy Friday night.

Rossville senior quarterback Canann Mitchell threw for four touchdowns and ran for a TD in Friday's 69-0 win over Maranatha Academy. [File photo/TSN]

Now 3-1 overall, the Bulldawgs put the game out of reach with a 34-point opening quarter and added 21 points to open up a 55-0 halftime cushion before scoring its final two touchdowns of the night in the third quarter.

Bulldawg senior Jack Donovan set the tone for the night when he returned the opening kickoff 93 yards for a touchdown.

Senior Conner Bush and senior Canann Mitchell followed Donovan's TD with 51 and 47-yard scores and Mitchell completed a 55-yard touchdown strike to Landen Lewis and a 42-yard scoring pass to senior Cameron Miller to close out the first quarter.

Andre Johnson opened the second-quarter scoring with a 31-yard run and Mitchell followed with an 11-yard TD pass to Lewis and a 27-yard scoring pass to Miller.

Dalen Dick scored on a 20-yard run and Ryder Foster scored from 3 yards out for the Bulldawgs' final touchdown.

Rossville will be at home next Friday to host Mission Valley.

Washburn Rural senior quarterback John Hoytal threw for two touchdowns in Thursday's 31-7 road win over Blue Valley Northwest. [File photo/TSN]

Junior Blues roll to 31-7 road win

Washburn Rural improved to 3-1 on the season, equaling its win total from the 2024 campaign, with a wire-to-wire 31-7 non-league road romp past Blue Valley Northwest Thursday night.

The Junior Blues never trailed after getting a 35-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback John Hoytal to junior Jadyn Baum with 1:10 left in the first quarter.

A 36-yard pass play from Hoytal to junior Gavin Vantuyl set up a 4-yard TD run from Baum that put Washburn Rural in front 14-0 midway through the second quarter.

After Northwest cut its deficit to 14-7 junior Ryan Austin connected on a 28-yard field goal to put the Junior Blues in front 17-7 with 50 seconds left in the half.