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  • A1 Lock & Key Performers Oct. 6, 2025

    Rick Peterson

    By RICK PETERSON

    TopSports.news

    BrodyAndersonmug 2Brody Anderson

    BRODY ANDERSON, Seaman

    Anderson, a senior cross country standout, posted his third individual victory of the season in Saturday's Seaman Invitational at the Shawnee North Community Center. A Class 5A state medalist in cross country and track, Anderson clocked a winning five-kilometer time of 15 minutes, 25.07 seconds.

    BrynnAnderson2025mug 2Brynn Anderson

    BRYNN ANDERSON, Washburn Rural  

    A 5-foot-11 freshman, Anderson had a big week for the No. 6-ranked (Class 6A) Washburn Rural volleyball team, helping lead the 16-4 Junior Blues to seven straight victories, including five straight wins in Saturday's Centennial League tournament at Rural as the hosts claimed the league championship while dropping just one set on the day.

    eliseeckert2025mug 1Elise Eckert

    ELISECKERT, Seaman

    A senior golf star, Eckert followed up her city championship with the title in last Monday's United Kansas Conference tournament at Shawnee Country Club. A three-time Class 5A state medalist, Eckert shot a 73 to post an eight-stroke victory as Seaman captured its fourth straight UKC title by 52 strokes.

  • Spencer, Anderson pace city XC contingent in Seaman Invitational

    By CHARLES SPURLOCK

    Special to TopSports.news

    On a beautiful morning as the calendar flipped to the second month of the cross country season, Seaman High School hosted the Seaman Invitational at Shawnee North Park.

    BrodyAnderson2024City 3Brody Anderson, Seaman

    BrynnSpencer2024Regional 1Brynn Spencer, Seaman

    In the varsity girls race, the Washburn Rural, Seaman and Shawnee Heights teams finished in fourth, fifth and sixth place, respectively.

    Washburn Rural had two medalists -- freshmen Clara Dillon finished ninth in a time of 21:47.96 and Lily Palmer finished in 19th with a time of 22:23.98.

    Topeka West’s lone runner, freshman Phebe Phelps, finished 16th in a time of 22:09.56.

    The top local finisher was Seaman junior Brynn Spencer, who finished third in a time of 20:16.43. Fellow Seaman junior Hannah Wempe earned medalist honors by finishing 17th with a time of 22:18.22.

    “I didn’t do as well as I had hoped time-wise, but I knew I had a chance to finish in the top three,'' Spencer said. "So my main goal was to push up toward the front and use my home course advantage.”

    Looking ahead to next week’s city meet, Spencer talked about getting to run once again on her home course.

    “It will help me since I have one race under my belt here and to know where my advantage points,'' she said. "It will also be helpful to know the parts of the course where I’ll need to push myself more.”

    In the varsity boys race, Seaman senior Brody Anderson won his third race of the season, finishing in a time of 15:25.07. After dealing with a heat-related issue last week at Rim Rock, Anderson talked about his plan going into Saturday's race.

    “It was a good day. I went out slower than normal, which was the plan, but I wanted to progress through the race and that went well. My hope was to stay healthy through the state meet.”

    Anderson was also looking to next week and the city meet, one last time to run at his home course.

    “I’m confident after today, but there is good competition throughout the city,'' he said. "I’m hoping to get good work in next week.” 

    Washburn Rural finished second as a team and had five medalists. Senior Wyatt Shorb finished ninth in a time of 17:32.10, freshman Julius Wood-Nichols finished 12th with a time of 17:35.85, senior Rylan Rake was 14th with a time of 17:39.03, sophomore Brady Meek was 16th in a time of 17:39.30 and senior Wesley Meek finished 20th with a time of 17:51.88.

    Seaman finished third overall and had one other medalist, junior Conner Bloom, who finished eighth in a time of 17:25.55.

    Shawnee Heights had one medalist, senior Max Esquibel, who finished sixth with a time 17:24.12.

    Topeka West also had one medalist, junior Ezra Phelps, who was 15th, finishing with a time of 17:39.27.

    Next week all of the Topeka city schools will return to Shawnee North for the city meet beginning at 9 a.m. for the girls race, following by the boys race at 9:45.

    SEAMAN INVITATIONAL

    Team Scores & Local Results

    Girls Varsity

    Piper 40, Blue Valley Northwest 50, Lawrence 59, Washburn Rural 99, Seaman 114, Shawnee Heights 145

    (Local team finishes)

    4. Washburn Rural

    9. Clara Dillon 21:47.96; 19. Lily Palmer 22:23.88; 24. Katherine Wolgast 23:17.42; 25. Harper Tenbrink 23:22.64; 26. Rayauna Huey 23:29.51; 32. Lily McCoy 24:20.79; 39. Lacey Middleton 25:44.98

    5. Seaman

    3. Brynn Spencer 20:16.43; 17. Hannah Wempe 22:18.22; 28. Avery Villines 23:32.88; 34. Jaydin Frickey 24:49.24; 40. Emma Gonzalez 26:02.90

    6. Shawnee Heights

    22. Hazel Rondash 23:02.36; 27. Kendall Lewis 23:30.71; 33. Arantza Urbina 24:35.07; 37. Adelaide Davis 25:23.73; 38. Piper Geil 25:24.21

    Topeka West

    16. Phebe Phelps 22:09.56

    Topeka

    35. Victoria Reynaga 25:10.58; 36. Breanna Maldonado 25:22.32; 41. Lyzet Cortez-Castro 26:43.92; 42. Maricruz MerriWeather 28:51.54

    Boys Varsity

    Lawrence 39, Washburn Rural 57, Seaman 82,Piper 94, Shawnee Heights 137, Topeka West 149, Topeka 186

    (Local team finishes)

    2. Washburn Rural

    9. Wyatt Shorb 17:32.10; 12. Julius Wood-Nichols 17:35.85; 14. Rylan Rake 17:39.03; 16. Brady Meek 17:39.30; 20. Wesley Meek 17:51.88; 21. Cohen Thiessen 18:00.99; 22. Gauge Dial 18:04.27; 25. Cadin Stratman 18:13.74

    3. Seaman

    1. Brody Anderson 15:25.07; 8. Conner Bloom 17:25.55; 24. Drake Spurlock 18:07.36; 33. Emmanuel Armstead 18:45.04; 34. Weston Kennedy 18:51.28; 36. Maddox Moore 18:58.53; 38. Abe Heffley 19:00.42; 46. Camden Dutton 19:39.60

    5. Shawnee Heights

    6. Max Esquibel 17:24.12; 28. Andrew Schulte 18:28.44; 42. Cash Reitcheck 19:16.09; 43. Ronin Wiggs 19:20.05; 47. Deyton Coufal 19:58.92; 49. Carter Vincent 20:26.52

    6. Topeka West

    15. Ezra Phelps 17:39.27; 27. Cameron Parrett 18:26.29; 40. Rhys Green 19:04.37; 44. Maks Rodriguez 19:33.68; 55. Mason Gore 22:13.52

    7. Topeka

    35. Oliver Snethen 18:51.89; 37. Will Toland 18:58.54; 51. Nicholas McDonald 20:55.49; 52. Amir El-Jammal 21:01.21; 54. Matthew Hanes 21:26.50; 56. Sam Stanton 22:17.70; 57. Dexter Lonergan 23:32.99; 58. Salis Bechard 24:23.87; 59. Sebastian Homerding 28:56.17

    Girls JV (local results)

    Seaman

    4. Zoey Gooden 25:37.93; 5. Kennedy Gatewood 25:57.54; 12. Bailey Martin 28:35.17 

    Shawnee Heights

    6. Natalia Venegas 26:14.04; 10. Alyson Moss 27:48.98; 13. Brooklyn Binkley 29:45.57; 18. Eva Austin 31:24.42 

    Topeka West

    8. Lily Phelps Roper 26:23.67

    Boys JV

    Washburn Rural 15, Seaman 73,Lawrence 77, Blue Valley Northwest 85, Piper 127, Shawnee Heights 181

    1. Washburn Rural

    1. Bennett Wells 18:08.81; 2. Trey Recob 18:22.50; 3. Oliver Haberman 18:28.31; 4. Ayden Mooney 18:47.68; 5. Ethan Koci 19:02.92; 6. Jackson Svaty 19:05.13; 9. Kael Harman 19:19.08; 11. Ethan Lake 19:36.03; 12. Marlon Barrios Martinez 19:55.32; 13. Blake Harader 19:56.70; 15. Dylan Ragsdale 20:03.07; 17. Jackson Buesing 20:07.06; 19. Charles Stones 20:19.82; 22. Thomas Reed 20:24.70; 31. Cole Replogle 20:39.04; 32. Eli Replogle 20:42.11; 34. Cedric Geotz 20:49.61; 38. Asher Denman 20:57.08; 39. Alex Jeffries 20:57.78; 42. Ryan Olsen 21:09.22; 43. Korbin Jones 21:26.23; 44. Avery Knappenberger 21:36.75; 46. Antonio Fernkopf 21:37.19; 47. Ryder McClintock 21:40.16; 51. Jacob Eilert 21:59.14; 60. Ethan Lanier 23:07.38; 77. Zachary Inloes 25:09.88; 80. Jason Hall 26:06.97; 81. Grady Wells 26:07.23; 82. Dylan Weigel 26:24.39; 84. Caleb Pearce 26:29.13

    2. Seaman

    8. Tate Oliva 19:17.75; 18. Trace La Row 20:17.10; 20. Cody Moses 20:19.84; 24. Stephen Miano 20:27.30; 28. Nick Horton 20:35.07; 29. Max Roark 20:36.16; 40. Eli Mott 20:58.20; 48. Wesley Eckert 21:41.45; 55. Levi Rodecap 22:15.64; 56. Josh Horton 22:20.91; 65. Gabe Ferguson 23:06.22; 67. John Holloway 23:45.83; 68. Davis Yarnell 24:02.82; 76. Aaron Haynes 24:56.39

    6. Shawnee Heights

    57. Jakob Rowland 22:22.91; 58. Xain Brown 22:23.88; 62. Lennox Garretson 22:39.11; 75. Colton Geil 24:43.94; 87. Jackson Osborne 29:45.39

    Topeka West

    83. Erich Abbo-Mott 26:28.77; 85. Jack Morgan 26:45.44

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  • No. 6-ranked Washburn Rural volleyball rolls to Centennial League championship

    Rick Peterson

    By RICK PETERSON

    TopSports.news

    Perennial Class 6A state volleyball power Washburn Rural got off to a bit of a slow start this season both in terms of a so-so 5-4 record and the number of matches played.

    WRvolleyballCentennial 2Washburn Rural volleyball celebrates a point during Saturday's 5-0 run to the Centennial League championship. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]

    But a busy stretch has paid big dividends for the Junior Blues, with No. 6-ranked Washburn Rural running off 11 straight victories over the past week, seven in the past three days and five on Saturday as host Rural dominated the Centennial League tournament en route to the league championship.

    "We haven't played near as many matches as some of those other teams have,'' Rural coach Kevin Bordewick said. "We've got this kind of weird schedule where we don't play very much and then we play a lot.

    "But the fact is we've got to get out and play and we had some good matches today that tested us pretty good.''

    BrynnAnderson2025VBCentennial 1Washburn Rural freshman Brynn Anderson (20) celebrates a kill during Saturday's 5-0 run to the Centennial League championship. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]

    Now 16-4 on the season, Rural dropped a 25-20 decision to Manhattan in its first set of the day, but the Junior Blues proceeded to win 10 straight sets over the remainder of the league meet.

    After its first-set loss to the Indians, Rural bounced back to top Manhattan with 25-18, 25-17 wins and then followed that performance with a 25-16, 25-14 victory over No. 3 (4A) Hayden, a 25-14, 25-13 win over Junction City, a 25-13, 25-17 win over Emporia and a 25-9, 25-8 romp past Topeka High.

    TaylorGuffeyWRvolleyball 2Washburn Rural senior Taylor Guffey sets the ball during Saturday's 5-0 run to the Centennial League championship. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]

    Bordewick said he feels like his team is making progress.

    "I do, and we still have a pretty high ceiling,'' Bordewick said. "Manhattan and Hayden are really good teams and I thought we clicked in the second and third set against Manhattan pretty well and against Hayden I thought both sets we played pretty well, but I think we've got more in us.''

    DayneShriver2025VBCentennial 4Washburn Rural senior Dayne Shriver spikes the ball during Saturday's Centennial League championships. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]

    Rural senior Dayne Shriver said she agrees with Bordewick that the Junior Blues are starting to gain momentum.

    "In the beginning of the season we hadn't played as many games, so I feel like now we're starting to get into the flow of it playing more games and connecting better,'' Shriver said. "I just really think that as the season goes we're flowing better.

    "It's nice sometimes to have it be go, go, go.''

  • A game-by-game look at this week's county high school football games

    Rick Peterson, Top Sports News Writer

    By RICK PETERSON
    TopSports.news

    FRIDAY NIGHT'S GAMES

    (Allkickoffs at 7 p.m.)

    JohnHoytal2025PC 5John 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.

    AidenScott2025TW 4Aiden 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.

    JacksonMcGivern2025Wamego 1Jackson 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.

    QuentinMoravec2025TW 2Quentin 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.

  • Special teams set tone as Washburn Rural rolls to 35-6 Centennial League win over Trojans

    Rick Peterson

    By RICK PETERSON

    TopSports.news

    The Washburn Rural special teams were really special Friday night at Bowen-Glaze Stadium, powering the Junior Blues to a 35-6 Homecoming win over Centennial League and city rival Topeka High.

    The Junior Blues, who improved to 4-1 overall and 1-0 in the league, were in front 14-0 before the Rural offense ever touched the ball as senior Elijah Gaines got the Junior Blues on the board when he returned a blocked punt 33 yards for a touchdown at the 6:09 mark of the opening quarter and then added a second TD with 45 seconds left in the quarter when he scooped up a blocked field goal attempt and rambled 74 yards to the end zone.

    WR2025FGblock 1Washburn Rural blocked a first-quarter Topeka High field goal, resulting in an Elijah Gaines touchdown. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]

    elijahGaines2025TH 2Washburn Rural senior Elijah Gaines returns a blocked field goal for a touchdown in Rural's 35-7 win over Topeka High. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]

    "We watched a lot of film on them and we felt like the line up front was a little soft, so we just wanted to rush through there and try to get blocks as soon as possible,'' said Gaines, who now has three defensive/special team TDs in his career.

    "I feel like we take pride in all three levels -- offense, defense and special teams -- and we just want to be the best in eveything we do.'' 

    The Junior Blue special teams struck again on the ensuing kickoff after Gaines' second TD when Rural recovered an onsides kick at the Trojan 48-yard-line.

    Finally getting a chance to get on the field, the Junior Blues' offense drove the remaining 48 yards in eight plays, with a 20-yard pass play from senior quarterback John Hoytal to senior Nate Selm setting up a 13-yard touchdown run by junior Jadyn Baum that put Rural in command 21-0 with 9:50 left in the first half.

    "The special teams were huge for the defense and for us,'' Hoytal said. "We didn't get the ball until 32 seconds left (in the first quarter) and we're up 14-0, so it was kind of a relief.

    "It also kind of threw off our momentum, but I'm super happy, super glad for the guys.''

    It took Topeka High (3-2, 1-1) just two plays to find the end zone on its ensuing possession, with Trojan senior quarterback Zane Smith hooking up with junior Courtney Sanders for a 76-yard TD strike with 8:41 left in the half (kick blocked).

    Washburn Rural added to its 21-6 lead late in the half when Hoytal broke loose for a 53-yard QB keeper and hit junior Peyton Glaze for a 32-yard pass play to set up a 4-yard Baum touchdown that put Rural up 28-6 with with 38 seconds left before halftime. 

    The Junior Blues and Trojans continued to move the ball in the second half, but the scoring pace slowed drastically, with Baum's third TD of the night on a 6-yard run with four seconds remaining in the third quarter the only score of the half.

    JohnHoytal2025TH 6Senior John Hoytal (10) rushed for 144 yards and passed for 131 yards in Washburn Rural's 35-7 win over Topeka High. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]

    JadynBaum2025TH 4Junior Jadyn Baum rushed for 101 yards and three TDs in Washburn Rural's 35-7 win over Topeka High. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]

    Hoytal finished the night with 144 rushing yards on just eight attempts while Baum added 101 yards on17 carries.

    Hoytal also passed for 131 yards on a 12 of 17 night.

  • No. 6-ranked Washburn Rural volleyball outlasts Shawnee Heights in three-set thriller

    Rick Peterson

    By RICK PETERSON

    TopSports.news

    Both Washburn Rural volleyball coach Kevin Bordewick and Shawnee Heights coach Sami Kearney know that their teams still have plenty to work on as they get deeper into the 2025 season.

    But both Bordewick and Kearney also had plenty to feel good about after Thursday's triangular at Shawnee Heights.

    KarsynHoryna2025VB 4Senior Karsyn Horyna (21) celebrates the final point in Washburn Rural's three-set win over Shawnee Heights Thursday night. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

    For Bordewick, the biggest positive was that his No. 6-ranked Junior Blues were able to come through when it counted the most to cap a 2-0 night with a hard-earned three-set 25-14, 19-25, 25-23 victory over Shawnee Heights in the final match of the night.

    "Shawnee Heights is a good team,'' said Bordewick, whose team is now 11-4 on the season. "They've played some tough competetion and they've scored some points on some of the top teams in the state in 5A and 6A. I knew that for years, forever, they have been feisty and scrappy and that's exactly what they have right there.

    "Not taking anything away from Shawnee Heights at all, I think we can play better, but the good news is we fought through adversity and we found a way to win.''

    And although she was disappointed that her T-Birds came up just short against Rural, Kearney was thrilled with the way her team battled throughout the night en route to a 1-1 split against Class 6A foes Blue Valley Northwest and Rural, with Heights taking a 27-25, 25-21 win over the Huskies to avenge a recent loss before taking the Junior Blues down to the wire after rebounding from an 11-point first-set loss.

    "Other nights we might have just stopped playing and we didn't stop playing,'' said Kearney, whose T-Birds are 12-13. "I was very proud. This is probably one of the better games I've seen and felt with my team and that was a good time to turn it on. If not for a couple of mistakes here and there we would have had it.

    "Rural's a great team, I will always admire them. They work hard, they're fast and quick, but I was happy to see that we can get up to the competition and we played really well tonight. I don't like losing, but I'm happy with how we played.''

  • Silver Lake No. 1 in KVA Class 3A state volleyball rankings for fourth straight week

    Rick Peterson

    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.

    KylieHanni2025 7Silver 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

  • Short-handed Washburn Rural soccer blanks Kapaun Mt. Carmel, 2-0

    Rick Peterson

    By RICK PETERSON

    TopSports.news

    Washburn Rural soccer coach Brian Hensyel had several reasons to be concerned entering Tuesday's non-league game against Kapaun Mt. Carmel.

    LiamMorrison2025WRsoccer 1Washburn Rural senior Liam Morrison (24) scored Tuesday's first goal in a 2-0 non-league home win over Kapaun Mt. Carmel. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]

    LiamMorrison2025WRsoccer 4Washburn Rural senior Liam Morrison (24) celebrates his goal in Tuesday's 2-0 non-league home win over Kapaun Mt. Carmel. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]

    First of all, Rural was facing a good Crusader team that had won six straight games.

    Secondly, the Junior Blues were coming off a road trip to Iowa, where they played three hotly-contested games in three days.

    And Washburn Rural would also face Kapaun without two of its top players, senior leading scorer Dylan Willingham and juior Brodye Kocher-Munoz.

    But Rural put all of Hensyel's concerns to rest with one of its best performances of the season en route to a 2-0 shutout over the Crusaders at McElroy Field.

    "This is as good of a win as we've had all season and all of those things add in,'' Hensyel said. "Obviously, we just played Thursday, Friday, Saturday against high-level competition and yesterday was pretty much a non-practice day to be honest. We were just trying to rest up.

    "And with Dylan out with his ankle and a guy out with a redcard, you're down your two starting forwards, so we had to play with a more defensive emphasis in the second half. We thought we could score off set plays and we did, so we got the lead and then we were able to be strong defensively and our defense was really good.''

    Senior Liam Morrison scored the only goal the Junior Blues would need at the 29:15 mark of the first half off a free kick assist from senior Brandon Hamilton.

    HigginsHawks2025WRsoccer 2Washburn Rural senior Higgins Hawks (21) scored Rural's second goal in Tuesday's 2-0 non-league home win over Kapaun Mt. Carmel. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]

    Rural, now 8-1-1, added its final goal of the night with 16:38 remaining in the opening half when senior Higgins Hawks scored off an assist from senior Brady Loeffler.

    MilesCook2025WRsoccer 4Senior Miles Cook (99) picked up the shutout in goal in Washburn Rural's 2-0 non-league home win over Kapaun Mt. Carmel. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]

    The Junior Blues were unable to find the back of the net the remainder of the game, but Rural's defensewas able to keep 7-3-0 Kapaun off the scoreboard as senior Miles Cook registered the shutout in goal.

  • Local cross country runners compete in multi-state Rim Rock Classic

    By CHARLES SPURLOCK

    Special to TopSports.news

    LAWRENCE -- On a very warm Saturday morning and afternoon, seven local schools competed in the Rim Rock Farm High School Classic in Lawrence. There were 171 other schools from seven states competing in a total of 10 high school races.

    BrynnSpencer2025XC 1Brynn Spencer, Seaman

    BrooksKehoe2025XC 2Brooks Kehoe, Washburn Rural

    There were C-team races for boys and girls, junior varsity races for boys and girls, and three varsity level races -- Crimson, Blue and Gold.

    In the C-team and junior varsity boys races, Washburn Rural finished second in both to Johnston High School from Iowa.

    The varsity blue boys race included Silver Lake, Topeka High, Hayden and Rossville. Silver Lake and Topeka High finished in the top 40 teams, 32nd and 35th, respectively.

    The varsity blue girls race included Hayden, Silver Lake and Rossville. Hayden’s Sofia Harper was the top local finisher in 39th place with a time of 21:23.03.

    The varsity crimson boys race included Shawnee Heights and Topeka West. The top finisher was Max Esquibel of Shawnee Heights, who finished in a time of 18:02.93 to finish in 23rd place.

    Shawnee Heights was the only team to compete in the varsity crimson girls race.

    The varsity gold boys race was set up to be a great race between Kapaun-Mt. Carmel’s Daniel Enriquez and Seaman’s Brody Anderson. Enriquez ran the second fastest time in Kansas history last weekend at the Southern Stampede in Joplin, Missouri, with a time of 14:43.04. Anderson had run two races in a time of 15:11. 

    The start of the race saw Anderson take a substantial lead, but in the final 1,000 meters, he was unable to finish due to heat-related issues.

    Washburn Rural finished in 18th place with Brooks Kehoe leading the way with a 69th place finish with a time of 17:19.02. Duke Graf ran a time of 17:23.79 to finish in 78th place.

    The varsity gold girls race had Washburn Rural finish in 18th place while Seaman finished in 25th place. Seaman’s Brynn Spencer was the top city finisher in 20:26.84, good for 54th place. Rural was led by Kenzie Maddox, who finished in 58th place with a time of 20:33.15.

    Team Scores and Individual Results

  • Thursday/Friday Prep FB roundup: Rossville opens district title defense with 69-0 rout

    Rick Peterson

    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.

    CanannMitchell2025SL 4Rossville 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.

    JohnHoytal2025PC 5Washburn 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.

  • Russell makes most of Topeka homecoming with 18-kill match in Griffons' win over No. 7 WU

    Rick Peterson

    By RICK PETERSON

    TopSports.news

    Missouri Western junior volleyball star Taylor Russell is excited for every match she plays.

    But the 6-foot-1 outside hitter admits that she gets even more fired up when she has the opportunity to play in her home town of Topeka.

    TaylorRussell2025WU 1Former Washburn Rural standout Taylor Russell (3) is congratulated by her Missouri Western teammates after one of her 18 kills in Saturday night's 3-1 win over Washburn. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

    Russell, a returning All-MIAA first-team pick and AVCA All-America honorable mention honoree, got that opportunity Saturday night and delivered a team-high 18 kills on .444 hitting as the No. 24-ranked Griffons (9-4 overall, 1-1 MIAA) handed No. 1 Washburn (12-1, 1-1) its first loss of the season in a 25-23, 19-25, 25-20, 25-19 Western win.

    "Coming back to the hometown, it's like every time we come back here it's a big rivalry between us and Washburn and I think because we have so many Topeka girls on our team it just feels really good to get that win and kind of prove ourselves,'' Russell said.

    Russell, who helped lead Washburn Rural to the Class 6A state championship in 2022,said it's fun to get a chance to play in front of a lot of people she grew up around, including her high school coach, Kevin Bordewick.

    "We have a lot of fans here,'' said Russell, who has 807 kills in her career. "I don't know if half of them are rooting for us our Washburn, because they are from Topeka, but it's always great to play in this environment.

    "I love the loud environment and just seeing all my friends and family here.''

    EmilyLoy2025WU 5Shawnee Heights product Emily Loy (10) registered 13 kills in Missouri Western's MIAA win over Washburn Saturday night. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

    Former Shawnee Heights standout Emily Loy, a 6-foot junior rightside hitter who received All-MIAA honorable mention last fall, also came up big for the Griffons Saturday, delivering 13 kills, while former Seaman 5A state champ Brooklyn Gormley, a 6-1 redshirt freshman, also plays for Missouri Western.

  • A game-by-game look at Thursday and Friday night's Shawnee County prep football games

    Rick Peterson, Top Sports News Writer

    By RICK PETERSON
    TopSports.news

    (Allkickoffs at 7 p.m.)

    THURSDAY'S GAMES

    JosiahWilke2025Sea 1Josiah Wilkie, Topeka West

    LANSING (1-2, 1-1 UKC) vs. TOPEKA WEST (0-3, 0-3 UKC)

    At Hummer Sports Park

    Topeka West is coming off a 61-0 United Kansas Conference loss to Seaman while Lansing dropped a 40-15 non-league loss to Tonganoxie last week. Junior running back Damon Webb, senior wide receiver Gad Munganga and sophomore quarterback Josiah Wilkie are top players for Topeka West. Lansing junior quarterback Caden Garcia has completed 28 of 60 passes for 403 yards and 3 TDs while junior running back Jaxon Pollard has rushed for 362 yards and 8 TDs 59 attempts. 

    KellanRoth2025BV 4Kellan Roth, Washburn Rural

    WASHBURN RURAL (2-1) at BLUE VALLEY NORTHWEST (2-1)

    Both Washburn Rural and Blue Valley Northwest suffered their first losses of the season last week, with Rural dropping a 60-28 non-league decision to Missouri state champion Platte County and Blue Valley Northwest falling to St. James Academy, 21-7. Northwest junior quarterback Aidan Ihm has completed 46 of 70 passes for 604 yards and 7 touchdowns while senior running back LJ Bowens has carried the ball 40 times for 268 yards and 3 TDs. Senior quarterback John Hoytal and senior wide receiver Kellan Roth are both off to hot starts this fall for Washburn Rural.   

    FRIDAY'S GAMES

    KadeMitchellGirard 3Kade Mitchell, Hayden

    WAMEGO (2-1) at HAYDEN (3-0)

    Hayden will get the opportunity to avenge one of its two losses in the 2024 season Friday night against the visiting Red Raiders. Wamego is coming off a 34-8 win over Marysville last Friday while Hayden rolled to a 46-7 road win over Kansas-City Bishop Ward and has now outscored its three opponents by a 123-13 margin. Wamego junior quarterback Logan Fulton has completed 32 of 53 passes for 562 yards and 4 TDs. Seniors Connor Hanika and Kade Mitchell and junior Mason Becker have been key offensive threats for the Wildcats.

    RicardoDowd2025 1Ricardo Dowd, Topeka High

    EMPORIA (2-1, 0-0 Centennial) vs. TOPEKA HIGH (2-1, 0-0 Centennial)

    At Hummer Sports Park

    Both Emporia and Topeka High will be opening Centennial League play Friday night. The Spartans have won their last two games by a 102-6 margin, including a 50-0 non-league romp past Coffeyville last week. The Trojans were shut out 6-0 by Wichita Southeast last Thursday. Topeka High will be looking for a big night from senior quarterback Zane Smith,  while sophomore running back Ricardo Dowd has also been an offensive threat for the Trojans. 

    CaleKetter2025TW 1Cale Ketter, Seaman

    KANSAS CITY-TURNER (0-3, 0-3 UKC) at SEAMAN (1-2, 1-1 UKC)

    Seaman rolled to a 61-0 United Kansas Conference win over Topeka West last Friday while Turner dropped a 56-0 conference decision to Leavenworth. Seaman junior quarterback Cale Ketter has completed 53 of 81 pass attempts for 628 yards and 7 touchdowns, including five against West. Junior running back Quentin Moravec has carried the ball 58 times for 426 yards and 6 TDs while junior Josh Brown has 16 pass receptions for 207 yards and 4 TDs.

     AidenScott2025TW 4Aiden Scott, Shawnee Heights

    SHAWNEE HEIGHTS (1-2, 1-1 UKC) at LEAVENWORTH (2-1, 2-1)

    Shawnee Heights dropped a 35-22 United Kansas Conference decision to Basehor-Linwood last Friday while Leavenworth rolled to a 56-0 UKC win over KC-Turner. T-Bird senior quarterback Aiden Scott has completed 69 of 116 passes for 921 yards and 9 touchdowns. Senior David Wakes has 217 rushing yards and 3 TDs on 56 attempts while senior AJ Gallegos has caught 19 passes for 234 yards and senior Tyren Parker has 10 catches for 245 yards and 2 touchdows. 

  • Seaman rides singles titles to first city girls tennis championship since 2015

    Rick Peterson

    By RICK PETERSON

    TopSports.news

    Seaman's girls tennis team had put itself in position to win the city championship the previous two seasons, only to fall just short.

    Seamangirlstennis2025 1Seaman's girls tennis team poses for a picture after winning the city championship Thursday at Kossover Tennis Center. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

    And Jamie Robinson's Vikings had to sweat another down-to-the-wire finish again on Thursday at Kossover Tennis Center, but this time Seaman got the job done, earning its first city title since 2015 by a 32-28 margin over Washburn Rural.

    "We're happy,'' Robinson said. "This is what our goal was at the beginning of the year, to win city. It kind of got to the point where we didn't want to talk about it. We didn't want to jinx ourselves because we were so pumped up to win city this year. 

    "We'd been snakebit in the past and were so close, so it meant a lot to the girls. Look at them, they're excited.''

    EmmaSweeney2025 4Seaman junior Emma Sweeney won the city No. 1 singles title Thursday, posting three 8-0 wins on the day. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

    MollyGorman2025 2Seaman senior Molly Gorman won the city No. 2 singles title Thursday for the city champion Vikings. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

    Viking junior Emma Sweeney rolled to the No. 1 singles title without dropping a game in her three matches on the day, including an 8-0 win over Topeka High's Madeline Deters in the finals, while senior Molly Gorman won her second straght No. 2 singles championship, outlasting Hayden freshman Lena Hull in the title match, 8-7 (7-2 in a tiebreaker).

    Seaman also got runnerup doubles finishes from Peyton Henry and Camryn Lux in No. 1 doubles and from Kaylyn Hiebsch and Candace Speer in the No. 2 bracket.

    Sweeney agreed with her coach that the city title meant a lot to the Vikings.

    "We talk about it every year,'' Sweeney said. "We're always so close and our coach really wanted it because he'd never won city since he's been coaching. We always talk about it and we were ready.

    "It means so much and we're all so excited.''

    Washburn Rural put itself in the city title picture with a sweep of the doubles championships.

    JuliaKatzer2025 5 Washburn Rural's Julia Katzer teamed with Halle Owen to win the city No. 1 doubles title Thursday at Kossover Tennis Center. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

    HalleOwen2025 2Washburn Rural's Halle Owen (left) teamed with Julia Katzer to win the No. 1 doubles city title Thursday. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

    Julia Katzer teamed with Halle Owen to take an 8-3 win over Seaman's Henry and Lux in the No. 1 final while Alizah Chedzoy and Annie Henderson took an 8-3 win over Seaman's Hiebsch and Speer in the No. 2 title match.

    Hayden, the 2024 city champion, finished third as a team with 23 points, one point ahead of fourth-place Topeka High, as the Wildcats posted top-four finishes in all four divisions.

    CITY GIRLS TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIP

  • Seaman, Washburn Rural finish one-two in 11-school Topeka West Invitational tennis

    Rick Peterson

    By RICK PETERSON

    TopSports.news

    Seaman's girls tennis team, third in Class 5A a year ago, continues to build momentum for another late-season run, following up last week's city championship with the team title in Tuesday's 11-school Topeka West Invitational at Kossover Tennis Center.

    Led by singles champions Emma Sweeney and Molly Gorman, Seaman won Tuesday's championship by a 51-47 margin over Washburn Rural, with the Vikings and Junior Blues repeating their one-two finish from the city meet.

    EmmaSweeney2025TW 6Seaman junior Emma Sweeney won the No. 1 singles championship in Tuesday's Topeka West Invitational. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

    MollyGorman2025TW 5Seaman senior Molly Gorman won the No. 2 singles championship in Tuesday's Topeka West Invitational for team champion Seaman. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

    Sweeney, a junior, won the No. 1 singles title with a 6-2, 6-4 win over Olathe West's Lindsay Ruder, avenging a loss to Ruder in the 2024 West tournament, while Gorman, a senior, captured the No. 2 singles championship with a 6-0, 6-2 win over Manhattan's Sally Kastner.

    Seaman also got a runnerup doubles finish from Peyton Henry and Camryn Lux in No. 1 doubles and a third-place finish from Kaylyn Hiebsch and Candace Speer in No. 2 doubles.

    "Another good day for the Vikings,'' Seaman coach Jamie Robinson said. "The girls are trusting their shots and especially in singles Molly really played well. I feel like she's struggled a little bit and she had to take eight months off (with an injury) and now she's really getting back to form. That last match was the most comfortable I've ever seen her.

    "And Emma really had a big match and she wanted this one, so that was fun to see. That tested her, that challenged her. This was good competition and we're battle tested and that's going to help in the UKC and it's going to help in regionals.''

    Washburn Rural, which has put together another strong season despite graduating several key players off its 2024 team, swept the doubles titles in Tuesday's tournament.

    WRtennis2025doublesTW 1Washburn Rural coach Michelle Rose talks to Rural No. 1 doubles players Halle Owen and Julia Katzer during Tuesday's Topeka West Invitational. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN] 

    Rural juniors Julia Katzer and Halle Owen won the No. 1 doubles championship with a 6-1, 6-3 win over Seaman's Henry and Lux. Katzer and Owen also faced Henry and Lux in the city championship match, with Rural taking an 8-3 win.

    JuliaKatzer2025TW 2Washburn Rural junior Julia Katzer returns a shot during the No. 1 doubles final in Tuesday's Topeka West Invitational. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

    HalleOwen2025tennisTW 1Washburn Rural junior Halle Owen returns a shot during the No. 1 doubles final in Tuesday's Topeka West Invitational. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

    Alizah Chedzoy and Annie Henderson followed up their city title in No. 2 doubles with the championship in Tuesday's tournament, with Rural taking a 6-1, 6-3 decision in the finals.

    TOPEKA WEST INVITATIONAL TENNIS

  • Hayden, Silver Lake No. 1 in KVA state volleyball rankings for third straight week

    Rick Peterson

    By RICK PETERSON

    TopSports.news

    Four Shawnee County schools continue to earn Top 10 spots in the Kansas Volleyball Association's Week 2 state rankings released Wednesday, led by Class 4A Hayden and 3A Silver Lake, who are ranked No. 1 for the third straight week.

    Hayden is a perfect 14-0 on the season while Silver Lake is 20-1.

    HaileySchmidtlein2025VB 5Undefeated Hayden is top-ranked in Class 4A by the KVA for the third straight week. [File photo/TSN]

    KylieHanni2025 7Silver Lake volleyball continues to be No. 1-ranked in Class 3A after winning the Rossville tournament last Saturday. [File photo/TSN]

    Rossville (13-5) is ranked fourth in 2A while Washburn Rural (5-2) is No. 6-ranked in 6A.

    Current classifications for the rankings are based on enrollments from the 2024-25 school year.

    The rankings will be adjusted next week when the updated KSHSAA classifications are released.

    Kansas Volleyball Association State Rankings

  • Seaman rolls to individual, team city girls golf championships

    Rick Peterson

    By RICK PETERSON

    TopSports.news

    Seaman girls golf is the three-time defending United Kansas Conference champion and has produced multiple Class 5A state medalists over the years, but entering Monday's City Championships at Western Hills the Vikings had never won a city team title in the 13-year history of the event.

    Julie McLaughlin's Vikings made up for lost time on Monday as senior individual champion Elise Eckert powered Seaman to a 14-stroke victory over Hayden (341-355) while 11-time city champ Washburn Rural finished third (361).

    Seamangolf2025city 1Seaman girls golf poses for a team picture Monday at Western Hills after winning its first-ever city team championship. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

    "This is pretty special, this is something,'' McLaughlin said of the city title. "I had hoped last year we would make a run for it and we just came out and didn't play very well.

    "We've come in second a few times and that was exciting, that was great, but this is something I've wanted to see them do for a long time now.''

    EliseEckert2025Golfcity 7Seaman senior Elise Eckert shot a two-under-par 68 to win the city girls golf title by eight strokes Monday at Western Hills. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

    Eckert, a three-time 5A state medalist at Emporia before transferring to Seaman this fall, shot a sizzling two-under-par 68 to take the city individual title by an eight-stroke margin over Hayden senior Lauren Borjon.

    "I felt pretty comfortable all day,'' Eckert said. "I started off my round with a double (bogey), so it was kind of rough, but I feel like I was able to quickly pick it up and get myself back in competition.''

    Eckert said McLaughlin pointed out to the Vikngs that Seaman had never won the city meet, which made Monday's title run special.

    "My coach went over that in the van before we came here,'' Eckert said. "It feels great to help them out with that. I like that I am able to be a part of this team, and with some good girls, too.''

    Eckert said she was able to fit in quickly with her new team this fall.

    "It didn't really take long because I knew most of the girls beforehand,'' Eckert said. "I had played with them before and they just really accepted me and it was amazing.''

    MakennaStuke2025Golfcity 1Makenna Stuke finished fifth with an 89 to help Seaman win its first city team title Monday at Western Hills. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

    The Vikings also got top-10 finishes from Makenna Stuke, fifth with an 89, Chloe Schmidtlein, seventh with a 91, and Kaitlynn Frye, who tied for eighth with a 93.

    LaurenBorjon2025golfcity 6Hayden senior Lauren Borjon shot a 76 Monday to finish second in the city tournament at Western Hills. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

    IzzyGlotzbach2025Golfcity 2Hayden senior Izzy Glotzbach shot an 82 Monday to finish third in the city tournament at Western Hills. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

    Borjon's 76 was good enough for her second career runnerup finish in the city meet while her Hayden senior teammate, Izzy Glotzbach, finished third with an 82. Borjon also finished second in 2023, leading the Wildcats to the city team championship.

    LaurenCox2025golfcity 2Senior Lauren Cox finished fourth with an 85 to lead Washburn Rural in Monday's city tournament at Western Hills. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN] 

    Third-place Washburn Rural was led by senior Lauren Cox, who placed fourth with an 85, while Kailyn Petersen was sixth with a 90 and Briley Miles and Ella Taggart tied for eighth with 93s. 

    Seaman also won the championship in the Topeka West Invitational, held in conjunction with the city tournament, by a  five-stroke margin over Baldwin. 

    Seaman, Shawnee Heights and Topeka West will compete in next Monday's UKC meet at Shawnee Country Club while Hayden and Washburn Rural will compete in next Monday's Centennial League tournament at Junction City.

    TOPEKA CITY GOLF CHAMPIONSHIPS

  • Topekan Hinck scores first collegiate goal as Washburn soccer blanks Harding, 2-0

    Rick Peterson

    By RICK PETERSON

    TopSports.news

    The Washburn University soccer team got back in the win column on Friday at Yager Stadium with a 2-0 victory over Harding.

    KateHinck2025 6Former Washburn Rural state champ Kate Hinck scored her first collegiate goal on Friday in Washburn's 2-0 win over Harding. [File photo/TSN]

    Former Washburn Rural star Kate Hinck, a freshman forward, scored the first goal of her collegiate career in the seventh minute off an assist from sophomore midfielder Sam Searcey and Searcey, who added a goal of her own in the 28th minute to account for the final score.

    Washburn attempted eight shots in the half, with half of them being on goal.

    Ichabod freshman goalkeeper Lili Everley saved the only shot of the half from the Lady Bison.

    Washburn would continue to control the game in the second half, maintaining pressure on the Harding goal while  taking five more shots, with one being saved. Washburn also took two corners in the second half to see out the match.

    WU's 13 shots were the Ichabods second most in a game this season, with five of them being on goal. Washburn only allowed three shots total, which is the least amount of shots Washburn has allowed so far this season. 

    Everley picked up her first collegiate shutout in goal.

    The Ichabods had five corners in the match, while allowing only two from the Lady Bison.

    All six of Washburn's goals on the season have been scored by underclassmen.

    Washburn is back at home at 1 p.m. on Sunday afternoon, hosting Ouachita Baptist.

     

      • Prep FB roundup: Hayden rolls past KC-Ward, sets up big clash with Wamego

        Rick Peterson

        By RICK PETERSON

        TopSports.news

        Hayden, ranked No. 2 in Class 3A by the Kansas Football Coaches Association, improved to 3-0 Friday night with a 46-7 road win at Kansas City Bishop Ward.

        The Wildcats took control from the outset, building a 25-0 first-quarter lead and taking a 32-0 advantage to the locker room at halftime.

        Hayden led 39-0 at the end of the third quarter before both teams scored TDs in the fourth quarter.

        The Wildcats will be at home next Friday, hosting a Wamgo team that handed Hayden one of its two losses in 2024.

        JohnHoytal2025PC 5Senior quarterback John Hoytal attempts a pass in Friday's 60-28 home loss to Missouri power Platte County. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN] 

        Platte County pulls away for 60-28 win over Blues

        Washburn Rural scored touchdowns against powerhouse Platte County, a defending Missouri state champion, but the Pirates, who improved to 4-0, rolled up 60 points in a 60-28 win over the Junior Blues at Bowen-Glaze Stadium.

        NateSelm2025PC 1Washburn Rural senior Nate Selm scores a touchdown in Friday's 60-28 loss to Platte County, Mo. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]

        Now 2-1 on the season, Washburn Rural will travel to Blue Valley Northwest next Friday for a non-league contest. 

        Rossville suffers first loss, 56-28 to Thunder

        After a 2-0 start with thrilling wins over Silver Lake and St. Marys, Rossville fell to undefeated Nemaha Central Friday night, 56-28.

        The Bulldawgs, now 2-1 overall and in the Big East League, scored in every quarter against last season's Class 2A runnerup Nemaha Central, but the 3-0 Thunder scored 14 points in all four quarters.

        Rossville senior quarterback Canann Mitchell threw a 22-yard touchdown pass to senior Cameron Miller and also scored on a 4-yard run, while the Bulldawgs also got a 4-yard run from senior Jack Donovan and a 6-yard run from senior Andre Johnson.

        The Bulldawgs will travel to Maranatha Christian Academy next Friday. 

      • A game-by-game look at Thursday/Friday night's Shawnee County prep football games

        Rick Peterson, Top Sports News Writer

        By RICK PETERSON
        TopSports.news

        THURSDAY'S GAME

        (Kickoff at 7 p.m.)

        ZaneSmith2025 7Zane Smith, Topeka High

        WICHITA SOUTHEAST (1-1) at TOPEKA HIGH (2-0)

        Topeka High will be playing its second Thursday night game in the first three weeks of the season and will be looking to start the season 3-0 after beginnning the 2024 season 4-0. The Trojans are coming off a 28-20 come-from-behind road win over Wichita Heights while Wichita Southeast lost 33-6 to Bishop Carroll last week. Senior quarterback Zane Smith is off to a hot start this fall for Topeka High while sophomore running back Ricardo Dowd is in the midst of a breakout season.

        FRIDAY'S GAMES

        (Highland Park-KC Schlagle kickoff at 4 p.m.)

        (All other kickoffs at 7 p.m.)

        GHoniMontgomery2024 3G'Honi Montgomery, Highland Park

        KC-SCHLAGLE (1-1, 1-0) vs. HIGHLAND PARK (2-0, 2-0 Meadowlark)

        At Hummer Sports Park

        The undefeated Scots will play the first game of a city doubleheader at Hummer Sports Park, kicking off at 4 p.m. Highland Park has yet to be tested thus far, rolling to Meadowlark Conference wins over Kansas City-Wyandotte and last week's 44-16 victory over KC-Sumner. Schlagle is coming off a 44-0 win over Wyandotte last week. Scot junior JoJo Kingcannon has rushed for 247 yards on just nine carries while junior G'Honi Montgomery has rushed for 187 yards on 26 carries. Montgomery scored three touchdowns last week, including a pair of kickoff returns for TDs.

        SEAMAN (0-2, 0-1) vs. TOPEKA WEST (0-2, 0-2)

        At Hummer Sports Park

        Seaman and Topeka West will play the second game of Friday's twinbill at Hummer Sports Park, with the Vikings and Chargers both looking for their first victories in the United Kansas Conference contest. Seaman is coming off a 41-21 non-league loss to Shawnee Mission East while Topeka West dropped a 76-35 UKC decision to Shawneee Heights. Seaman junior quarterback Cale Ketter has completed 41 of 66 passes for 348 yards and two TDs while sophomore Quentin Moravec has carried the ball 40 times for 227 yards and four scores. West sophomore quarterback Josiah Wilkie completed 19 of 46 passes for 323 yards and three TDs against Shawnee Heights. Jayden Lindsay accounted for 155 yards receiving while Gad Munganga added 125 yards receiving.

        KellanRoth2025BV 4

        Kellan Roth, Washburn Rural

        PLATTE COUNTY, MO. (3-0) at WASHBURN RURAL (2-0)

        Washburn Rural is coming off a thrilling 31-30 come-from-behind non-league win over Blue Valley last Friday while Platte County rolled to a 46-7 win over Fort Osage, Mo. The Pirates went 14-0 and captured a Missouri state title in 2024 and have outscored their first three opponents by a 156-37 margin this season. Rural quarterback John Hoytal threw for four TDs last week, including three to senior Kellan Roth. Junior Ryan Austin kicked a 31-yard field goal and the game-winning extra point against Blue Valley. 

        CanannMitchell2025SL 4Canann Mitchell, Rossville

        NEMAHA CENTRAL (2-0, 1-0) at ROSSVILLE (2-0, 2-0)

        Rossville pulled out its second straight nail-biting Big East League win last Friday, edging St. Marys, 40-34, while Nemaha Central topped Big East League foe Silver Lake, 42-7. Rossville senior quarterback Canann Mitchell has completed 26 of 45 passes for 295 yards and three touchdowns and carried the ball 33 times for 219 yards and three TDs. Senior Cameron Miller has caught 11 passes for 152 yards and two TDs.

      • Hayden, Silver Lake retain No. 1 spots in KVA state volleyball rankings

        Rick Peterson

        By RICK PETERSON

        TopSports.news

        Four Shawnee County schools continue to earn Top 10 spots in the Kansas Volleyball Association's Week 2 state rankings released Wednesday, led by Class 4A Hayden and 3A Silver Lake, who are ranked No. 1 for the second straight week.

        HaileySchmidtlein2025VB 2Hayden volleyball is ranked No. 1 in the KVA Week 2 Class 4A state rankings. [File photo/TSN]

        SilverLakeVB2025 1Silver Lake volleyball is ranked No. 1 in the KVA Class 3A state rankings for the second straight week. [File photo/TSN]

        Hayden is 12-0 on the season after winning the Baldwin Invitational last weekend while Silver Lake was 11-1 on the season at the time of the rankings, with the Eagles' lone loss coming against 5A Shawnee Heights.

        Rossville, 9-0, made a jump from No. 4 to No. 2 in the 2A rankings while Washburn Rural (5-2) is ranked No. 7 in 6A.

        Current classifications for the rankings are based on enrollments from the 2024-25 school year.

        The rankings will be adjusted when the updated KSHSAA classifications are released at the end of September. 

        Kansas Volleyball Association Week 2 State Rankings

      Top Sports News Team

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