By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Hayden, which advanced to the Class 3A state championship game, and 6A semifinalist Washburn Rural combined for 11 Top 22 spots on TopSports.news' 2023 All-Shawnee County football team while Seaman's Max Huston and Rural's JC Heim garnered the top individual honors.
Washburn Rural senior linebacker JC Heim has been named the TopSports.news All-Shawnee County defensive player of the year after registering 173 tackles for the 11-1 Junior Blues. [File photo/TSN]
Seaman junior quarterback Max Huston has been tapped as the TopSports.news Shawnee County offensive player of the year after passing for 3,257 yards and 39 touchdowns. [File photo/TSN]
Hayden, which posted a 12-1 record this fall, is represented on the Top 22 by seniors Carter Charvat, Finn Dunshee and Jude Konrade and junior Jensen Schrickel while Washburn Rural, 11-1 on the year, put seniors Packson Bettis, Jaren Heim, JC Heim, Branton DeWeese, Jamond Lane and Titan Osburn and junior King Leonard on the Top 22.
'Seaman quarterback Huston, who led the Vikings to a 6-5 season and the third round of the 5A playoffs, was named the Shawnee County offensive player of the year while Heim, a linebacker, was named the county defensive player of the year.
Huston, a 6-foot-1, 185-pound junior, completed 230 of 379 passes for 3,257 yards and 39 touchdowns, with just two interceptions. Huston also carried the ball 134 times for 706 yards and eight TDs.
Heim, a 6-3, 225-pounder, was in on 173 tackles (102 solos) with 17 tackles for loss, eight sacks, two interceptions, three forced fumbles, two recovered fumbles (one for a touchdown), two blocked extra points and a blocked punt. Offensively, Heim rushed for 530 yards and 10 TDs on 90 carries.
Hayden coach Bill Arnold (right) has been named the TopSports.news 2023 Shawnee County coach of the year while sophomore quarterback Connor Hanika (3) was tapped as the co-offensive newcomer of the year. [File photo/TSN]
Hayden's Bill Arnold, now 211-66 as a head coach, was named the Shawnee County coach of the year.
Hayden sophomore Kade Mitchell (25) is the TSN Shawnee County co-offensive newcomer of the year after rushing for 764 yards and scoring 15 total touchdowns. [File photo/TSN]
Washburn Rural junior cornerback Wilson Miller (2) has been named the Shawnee County defensive newcomer of the year after helping the Junior Blues post an 11-1 record this fall. [File photo/TSN]
Hayden sophomores Connor Hanika and Kade Mitchell were named the county co-offensive newcomers of the year while Washburn Rural junior Wilson Miller was named the defensive newcomer of the year.
Hanika, 6-3, 165, took over as the Wildcats' quarterback after an injury to starter Jett Wahlmeier and completed 38 of 60 passes for 470 yards and seven touchdowns while MItchell, a 5-9, 165 running back, rushed for 764 yards on 79 attempts, caught 13 passes for 209 yards, had five kickoff returns for 174 yards and scored 15 total touchdowns.
Miller, a 6-0, 190 cornerback, was in on 48 tackles (40 solos) with five interceptions, returning one for a touchdown. Miller also handled the Junior Blues' place-kicking duties for much of the season.
Shawnee Heights put seniors Allen Baughman, Rykan Carver and Christian Gonzales on the All-Shawnee County Top 22, while Seaman is represented by Huston and senior Callen Barta, Silver Lake by seniors Tanner Martin and Blake Redmond, Cair Paravel Latin by senior Jesiah Bonura, Highland Park by junior Adrian Burney, Rossville by senior Barrett Lietz and Topeka West by senior Kyrece Robinson.
Hayden's Dunshee and Schrickel, Rural's Bettis, DeWeese, JC Heim and Osburn, Shawnee Heights' Baughman, Rossville's Lietz and Silver Lake's Martin are All-Shawnee County Top 22 repeat picks.
All 10 Shawnee County high schools have representatives on either the Top 22 or Second 22 teams. Eight county teams posted winning records this fall, with seven winning at least one playoff contest.
TopSports.news selected the 2023 All-Shawnee County team after receiving input from all 10 county head coaches.
All-Shawnee County Top 22 capsules:
Callen Barta, Seaman (6)
CALLEN BARTA, Seaman
Barta, a 6-2, 180 senior wide receiver/defensive back, earned TSN All-Shawnee County Top 22 honors after being a Second 22 pick as a junior. Barta, who has committed to Kansas State, earned All-United Kansas Conference first-team recognition on both offense and defense after helping lead the Vikings to a 6-5 record on the season. Barta caught 77 passes for 1,441 yards and 17 touchdowns and was in on 36 tackles with five interceptions, including a pick six.
Allen Baughman (5) and Ryan Carver (72), Shawnee Heights
ALLEN BAUGHMAN, Shawnee Heights
A 5-8, 180 senior running back, Baughman was named to the All-Shawnee County Top 22 for the second straight season after helping lead the T-Birds to an 8-3 record. A second-team All-United Kansas Conference pick this fall, Baughman fought through an injury to rush for 1,012 yards and 18 touchdowns on 176 carries. Baughman had five 100-yard rushing games with a season-high of 189 yards. As a junior Baughman was the Shawnee County co-offensive newcomer of the year and he rushed for 2,508 combined yards as a junior and senior.
Packson Bettis, Washburn Rural (56)
PACKSON BETTIS, Washburn Rural
Bettis, a 6-2, 230 senior defensive end, is a TSN All-Shawnee County Top 22 repeat pick after helping Washburn Rural post an 11-1 record and reach the 6A semifinals. Despite missing time with an injury Bettis recorded 68 tackles (44 solos) on the seasons with 11 tackles for loss and three sacks. Bettis has made an oral commitment to North Dakota.
Jesiah Bonura, Cair Paravel Latin
JESIAH BONURA, Cair Paravel Latin
A 5-8, 155 senior, Bonura moves up to the All-Shawnee County Top 22 after receiving all-county honorable mention as a junior. Bonura carried the ball 135 times for 1,195 yards and 14 touchdowns, caught 41 passes for 689 yards and 12 TDs and returned 13 kickoffs for 403 yards and three TDs. Defensively, Bonura was in on 55 tackles (33 solo) with five tackles for loss, two interceptions and two fumble recoveries as CPL advanced to the Eight-Man Division I semifinals and posted a 9-3 record.
ADRIAN BURNEY, Highland Park
Burney, a 6-2, 220 junior offensive lineman/defensive end, earned first-team All-Meadowlark Conference honors on both offense and defense after helping Highland Park post a 7-3 record and win its first playoff game since the 1991 season. Burney moves up to the TSN All-Shawnee County Top 22 after receiving honorable mention as a sophomore.
RYKAN CARVER, Shawnee Heights
A 6-1, 275-pound senior offensive and defensive lineman, Carter earned first-team All-United Kansas Conference recognition on offense after helping lead Shawnee Heights to an 8-3 record and the third round of the 5A playoffs. Carver, who moves up to the All-Shawnee County Top 22 after receiving honorable mention as a junior, was in on 48.5 total tackles this fall, including 7.5 tackles for loss and three sacks.
Carter Charvat, Hayden (54)
CARTER CHARVAT, Hayden
Charvat, a 6-2, 225 senior offensive and defensive lineman, played a big role as Hayden won 12 straight games and advanced to the Class 3A state championship game before dropping a 34-7 decision to Cheney to finish second. Charvat moves up to the TSN All-Shawnee County Top 22 this season after earning Second 22 recognition in 2022.
Branton DeWeese, Washburn Rural
BRANTON DeWEESE, Washburn Rural
DeWeese, a 6-0, 190 senior, was named to the TopSports.news' Top 22 for the third straight season after completing 116 of 188 pass attempts for 1,696 yards and 28 touchdowns for the 11-1 Junior Blues. DeWeese threw just two interceptions on the season while also rushing for 350 yards and seven TDs on 59 attempts as the Junior Blues advanced to the 6A state semifinals.
Finn Dunshee (33) and Jude Konrade (52), Hayden
FINN DUNSHEE, Hayden
Dunshee, a 5-10, 185 senior running back/linebacker, fought back from a torn MCL to help 12-1 Hayden advance to the 3A title game. Despite missing five full games, Dunshee rushed for 844 yards and 14 touchdowns on 60 attempts and caught 17 passes for 229 yards and three TDs. The 4A state 100-meter dash champ as a junior, Dunshee earned All-Shawnee County Top 22 honors for the second straight season. Dunshee was the all-county co-offensive newcomer of the year as a junior.
CHRISTIAN GONZALES, Shawnee Heights
A 6-1, 270 senior lineman, Gonzales moves up to the TSN All-Shawnee County Top 22 after being a Second 22 pick as a junior. A first-team All-United Kansas Conference selection on defense, Gonzales helped lead Shawnee Heights to an 8-3 record and the third round of the 5A state playoffs. Gonzales was in on 70 total tackles as a senior, including eight tackles for loss, four sacks, three forced fumbles and a pass interception.
Jaren Heim, Washburn Rural (left)
JAREN HEIM, Washburn Rural
Heim, a 6-2, 215 senior linebacker, moves up to the All-Shawnee County Top 22 after receiving honorable mention as a junior. Heim was in on 123 tackles (68 solo) as a senior, including 10 tackles for loss and four sacks. Heim also picked off four passes, including a pick-six and recovered four fumbles, three for touchdowns, and forced two fumbles. Heim helped Washburn Rural post an 11-1 record and advance to the 6A semifinals.
JC HEIM, Washburn Rural
A 6-3, 225 senior running back/linebacker, Heim is a All-Shawnee County Top 22 selection for the second straight season and was named the Shawnee County defensive player of the year after helping lead the Junior Blues to an 11-1 record and the 6A state semifinals. Heim was in on 173 tackles (102 solos) with 17 tackles for loss, eight sacks, two interceptions, three forced fumbles, two recovered fumbles (one for a touchdown), two blocked extra points and a blocked punt. Offensively, Heim rushed for 530 yards and 10 TDs on 90 carries.
MAX HUSTON, Seaman
Huston, a 6-1, 185 junior quarterback, completed 230 of 379 passes for 3,257 yards and 39 touchdowns, with just two interceptions. Huston also carried the ball 134 times for 706 yards and eight TDs as the Vikings posted a 6-5 record and advanced to the third round of the 5A playoffs. Huston was named the All-United Kansas Conference offensive player of the year as well as earning first-team honors and moves up to the All-Shawnee County Top 22 after earning honorable mention as a sophomore.
JUDE KONRADE, Hayden
Konrade, a 6-0, 200 senior linebacker, was a defensive star for the Wildcats, who ran off 12 straight victories before dropping a 34-7 decision to Cheney in the 3A state championship game. Konrade helped Hayden post four shutouts on the season. Konrade moves up to the TSN All-Shawnee County Top 22 this fall after receiving honorable mention as a junior for the state-semifinalist Wildcats.
Jamond Lane, Washburn Rural (middle)
JAMOND LANE, Washburn Rural
A 6-0, 275 senior defensive tackle, Lane moves up to the All-Shawnee County Top 22 after being named the county defensive newcomer of the year and earning Second 22 recognition as a junior. Lane was in on 72 tackles (44 solo), with eight tackles for loss and four sacks. Lane also forced a fumble and had a fumble recovery for the 11-1 Junior Blues, who advanced to the 6A state semifinals.
BARRETT LIETZ, Rossville
A 6-0, 235 senior offensive lineman/defensive end, Lietz was a standout on both sides of the ball for the 5-4 Bulldawgs, earning All-Shawnee County Top 22 honors for the second straight season. Lietz was in on 47 tackles this past season with seven tackles for loss, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Lietz was a multiple time All-Mid-East League selection.
King Leonard, Washburn Rural (1)
KING LEONARD, Washburn Rural
Leonard, a 5-10, 180 junior safety, was a breakout star for Washburn Rural this fall, helping the Junior Blues post an 11-1 record and advance to the 6A semifinals. Leonard was among the state leaders with nine interceptions, including one pick six, and was also in on 75 tackles (47 solo), with three tackles for loss, eight pass breakups and a fumble recovery.
Tanner Martin, Silver Lake (16)
TANNER MARTIN, Silver Lake
Martin, a 6-1, 180 senior quarterback, passed for 2,085 yards and 23 touchdowns as Silver Lake posted an 8-2 record on the season. Martin also rushed for 922 yards and 12 TDs. Martin eclipsed the 2,000 yard passing mark as a junior and senior and makes the TopSports.news All-Shawnee County Top 22 for the second straight season.
Titan Osburn, Washburn Rural
TITAN OSBURN, Washburn Rural
A 6-3, 180 senior wide receiver, Osburn is a TSN All-Shawnee County Top 22 selection for the second straight season after catching 32 passes for 561 yards and 11 touchdowns while averaging 17.5 yards per catch. Osburn helped Washburn Rural post an 11-1 record and reach the semifinal round of the 6A playoffs.
Blake Redmond, Silver Lake (26)
BLAKE REDMOND, Silver Lake
Redmond, a 5-8, 160 senior running back, moves up to the All-Shawnee County Top 22 after earning all-county honorable mention as a junior. Redmond rushed for 822 yards and 10 touchdowns as a senior while also compiling 429 receiving yards and scoring seven touchdowns as Silver Lake posted an 8-2 record on the year.
KYRECE ROBINSON, Topeka West
Robinson, a 6-2, 235 senior defensive end, was a definite bright spot in a 1-8 season for the Chargers. Robinson, who received All-Shawnee County honorable mention as a junior, was in on 62 tackles this fall, including 27 tackles for loss and five sacks. Robinson was named to the All-United Kansas Conference second team on defense.
Jensen Schrickel, Hayden (9)
JENSEN SCHRICKEL, Hayden
Schrickel, a 5-10, 150 junior wide receiver/defensive back, is a repeat TSN All-Shawnee County Top 22 selection after helping lead Hayden to a 12-1 record and a runnerup finish in 3A. A former 4A state long jump champion in track and field, Schrickel caught 40 passes for 683 yards, carried the ball 18 times for 268 yards, had five kickoff returns for 165 yards, had three punt returns for 73 yards and scored 10 total touchdowns and three 2-point conversions.
TopSports.news All-Shawnee County Football
Top 22
Player, school Pos. Ht. Wt. Gr.
Callen Barta, Seaman WR/DB 6-2 180 Sr
Allen Baughman, Shawnee Heights RB 5-8 180 Sr.
Packson Bettis, Washburn Rural DE 6-2 230 Sr.
Jesiah Bonura, Cair Paravel WR/DB 5-8 155 Sr.
Adrian Burney, Highland Park OL/DE 6-2 220 Jr.
Rykan Carver, Shawnee Heights OL 6-1 275 Sr.
Carter Charvat, Hayden OL/DL 6-2 225 Sr.
Branton DeWeese, Washburn Rural QB 6-0 190 Sr.
Finn Dunshee, Hayden RB/LB 5-10 185 Sr.
Christian Gonzales, Shawnee Heights DL 6-1 270 Sr.
Jaren Heim, Washburn Rural LB 6-2 215 Sr.
JC Heim, Washburn Rural RB/LB 6-3 225 Sr.
Max Huston, Seaman QB 6-1 185 Jr.
Jude Konrade, Hayden LB 6-0 200 Sr.
Jamond Lane, Washburn Rural DT 6-0 275 Sr.
Barrett Lietz, Rossville OL/DE 6-0 235 Sr.
King Leonard, Washburn Rural DB 5-10 180 Jr.
Tanner Martin, Silver Lake QB 6-1 180 Sr.
Titan Osburn, Washburn Rural WR 6-3 180 Sr.
Blake Redmond, Silver Lake RB 5-8 160 Sr.
Kyrece Robinson, Topeka West DE 6-2 235 Sr.
Jensen Schrickel, Hayden WR/DB 5-10 150 Jr.
Second 22
Player, school Pos. Ht. Wt. Gr.
Ian Brian, Cair Paravel Latin OL/DL 5-11 210 Sr.
BJ Canady, Topeka High DE 6-6 260 Sr.
Ricky Crawford, Highland Park LB 6-0 180 Jr.
Alex Dittman, Shawnee Heights LB 6-2 215 Sr.
Caden Estrada, Washburn Rural OT 6-1 270 Jr.
Bryer Finley, Seaman WR 6-4 185 Jr.
Holden Finley, Seaman WR 6-0 160 Sr.
Jacob Hawks, Washburn Rural OT 6-9 315 Jr.
Camden Horak, Rossville QB 6-0 181 Sr.
Tayson Horak, Rossville WR 5-9 156 Jr.
Kaden Jordan, Seaman NT 6-2 300 Jr.
Isaiah Kincade, Topeka High WR/DB 6-0 190 Sr.
Noah Kobuszewski, Seaman TE 6-3 230 So.
Wilson Miller, Washburn Rural CB 6-0 190 Jr.
Kade Mitchell, Hayden RB 5-9 165 So.
Jayden Moore, Shawnee Heights WR/DB 6-0 170 Sr.
Jase Pavlik, Cair Paravel Latin QB 5-10 160 Jr.
Braden Strausbaugh, Silver Lake OL/DL 6-2 190 So.
Amari Taylor, Highland Park RB 6-0 180 Sr.
Joshiah Todwong, Hayden OL/DL 6-0 265 Sr.
Lafayette Thompson, Washburn Rural RB 5-8 150 Jr.
Ryeki Tuley, Shawnee Heights QB 6-0 180 Sr.
Honorable mention
Cair Paravel: Noah Collins, sr.; Simon Everhart, sr.; Ty Gossard, sr.; Logan Pasta, sr; Evan Will, sr. Hayden: Mason Becker, fr.; Broderick Desch, jr.; Connor Hanika, so.; Brady Heinen, jr.; Doug Peterson, sr.; Dom Ridley, sr.; Treyton Tetuan, jr.; Jett Wahlmeier, jr. Highland Park: Andres Ochoa-Perez, so.; Tremaine Savage, jr.; Jerome Toussaint, sr.; Jamon Wilson, jr.; Mikey Williams, jr. Rossville: Kameron Badura, jr.; Brock Bush, jr.; Avery Crosswhite, sr.; Jack Donovan, so. Seaman: Jack Bloom, sr.; Andrew Broughton, jr.; Hayden Cummings, jr.; Ethan Geiger, jr.; Klayson Geller, sr. Shawnee Heights: Jordan Armbruster, sr.; Parker Busenitz, jr.; Tucker Busenitz, sr.; Alex Dawkins, sr.; Jayden Holly, sr.; Nathan Hurla, sr.; Jaki Lee, sr.; Jacob Malcom, sr.; Alex McHardie, sr.; Tyren Parker, so.; Jon Scott, sr.; Silver Lake: Dayne Johnson, so.; Trent Rollenhagen, jr. Topeka High: Tevante Ewing, jr.; Detrick Johnson, jr.; Malachi Murph, so.; Jayden Norman, jr.; Courtney Sander, fr.; Zane Smith, so.; Rehabiah Williamson, so. Topeka West: Jace Banks, sr.; Trey Barr, jr.; Logan Hunninghake, so.; Josh Nitschke, sr.; Kris Thomas, sr. Washburn Rural: Baron Blankenship, jr.; Brady Goeden, jr.; Calvin Hayes, sr.; Andrew Holman, sr.; Jermarion Lyle, jr.; Calvin Manthe, jr.; Nate Miller, sr.; TJ Minikwu, so.; Blake Recinos, jr.; Kevin Thompson, sr.
Offensive player of the year -- Max Huston, jr., Seaman.
Defensive player of the year -- JC Heim, sr., Washburn Rural.
Co-offensive newcomers of the year -- Connor Hanika, so., and Kade Mitchell, so., Hayden.
Defensive newcomer of the year -- Wilson Miller, jr., Washburn Rural.
Coach of the year -- Bill Arnold, Hayden.
