Rossville Bulldawgs
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Editor's note: @TopSports.news plans to run high school basketball roundups throughout the 2023-2024 season for the 10 Shawnee County high schools. Coaches are encouraged to submit game reports to
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Coming off a 24-1 season and a third-place finish in the Class 5A state tournament, Highland Park's boys basketball team is off and running again, opening its season Tuesday night with a 90-33 non-league road win at Bonner Springs.
Tamir Anderson
Ja'Corey Robinson
Highland Park, ranked No. 3 in 5A by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association, had four players crack double figures, led by senior Tamir Anderson, who scored a game-high 21 points on seven 3-pointers.
Junior Ja'Corey Robinson scored 19 points for the Scots, followed by senior Amari Taylor with 16 points (two 3-pointers) and junior Mikey Williams with 15 points.
Highland Park was in command after opening up a 28-12 first-quarter lead and the Scots took a 46-23 advantage to the locker room at halftime.
The Scots finished off the rout with a 44-10 scoring advantage in the second half, holding Bonner Springs scoreless in the fourth quarter. A running clock was used throughout the fourth.
Highland Park will return to action next Tuesday, traveling to Kansas City-Southeast, Mo.
HIGHLAND PARK GIRLS 52, BONNER SPRINGS 41
Highland Park, which advanced to the 5A state tournament a season ago, opened its season with a 52-41 non-league road win at Bonner Springs Tuesday night, getting a monster game from junior star Amelia Ramsey.
Amelia Ramsey
Ramsey, an All-Shawnee County pick last season, scored 21 points and grabbed 23 rebounds to key Highland Park's season-opening win.
Tahtionna Broils joined Ramsey in double figures for the Scots, finishing with 16 points.
Highland Park, ranked No. 10 in 5A by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association, will travel to Kansas City-Southeast, Mo. on Thursday.
ROSSVILLE BOYS 56, KC-WARD 48
Rossville evened its record at 1-1 with a 56-48 home win over Kansas City-Bishop Ward Tuesday night in the opening round of the Irish Classic.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
KaeVon Bonner
KAEVON BONNER, Seaman
A 6-foot-1 sophomore, Bonner opened his 2023-2024 basketball season with a 28-point performance in Seaman's 58-49 home United Kansas Conference victory over Lansing last Thursday. Bonner went nine of 16 from the field and hit four 3-pointers on the night as the Vikings built a game-high 18-point lead early in the fourth quarter on the strength of eight straight points by Bonner.
Jalen Foy
JALEN FOY, Topeka West
Foy, a 6-foot-2 junior, scored a game-high 23 points as Topeka West opened its basketball season on Friday with a 52-37 home United Kansas Conference win over Basehor-Linwood, a Class 5A state tournament team last season. Foy connected on 10 of 16 field goal attempts on the night, including a pair of 3-pointers, as the Chargers pulled away down the stretch for their biggest lead of the game.
Norma Greco
NORMA GRECO, Hayden
A 5-foot-6 junior, Greco led the way with a game-high 17 points in just three quarters of action as Hayden's girls, ranked No. 2 in Class 3A by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association, opened their season with a 74-12 non-league victory over Kansas City-Washington last Friday at Hayden.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Highland Park, hosting the first of back-to-back tournaments, claimed the girls team championship in Saturday's Highland Park Invitational by a 64-48 margin over city rival Topeka West.
Kylisha James won the 170-pound championship in last Saturday's Highland Park Invitational, helping the Scots capture the girls team championship. (Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
The Scots got individual championships from Kim Rodriguez at 105 pounds, Renea Easter at 125 and Kylisha James at 170.
Topeka West's Ziona Jackson (top) won the 135-pound championship in last Saturday's Highland Park Invitational. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN[
Runnerup Topeka West got a title from Ziona Jackson at 135 while Hayden got gold medals from Kylie Carswell (115), Kate Mead (120) and Natalie Hopper (140).
Topeka High posted a runnerup team finish in the boys division with 159 points while Hayden finished third with 139 points. De Soto won the team championship with 226.5 points.
The Trojans got individual titles from Luis Marones at 113 points and Jordan Stiner at 138 while Hayden's Jude Krentz claimed the 175-pound individual championships.
Highland Park will host the Melvin Douglas Invitational on Saturday.
Rural girls take Leavenworth Challenger title
Washburn Rural, the reigning Class 6A state girls team champion, rolled up 393 points to take the title in Saturday's season-opening 14-school Leavenworth Challenger.
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:
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Tamir Anderson
TAMIR ANDERSON, Highland Park
A 6-foot-4 senior, Anderson earned TopSports.news All-Shawnee County honorable mention last season after helping Highland Park post a 24-1 record and a third-place finish in the Class 5A state tournament. Anderson was one of Shawnee County's top 3-point shooters, hitting 47 treys on the season.
Kaden Ballard
KADEN BALLARD, Washburn Rural
Ballard, a 5-10 junior, was a key player off the bench for the 15-6 Junior Blues last season, averaging 6.1 points, 2.0 assists and 1.7 rebounds. Ballard received TSN All-Shawnee County and All-Centennial League honorable mention as a sophomore.
KaeVon Bonner
KAEVON BONNER, Seaman
Bonner, a sophomore, was named the TSN All-Shawnee County co-newcomer of the year as a freshman while also earning All-United Kansas Conference honorable mention. Bonner averaged 8.4 points for the 13-8 Vikings while canning 32 3-pointers and shooting 39 percent on 3-point attempts. Bonner shot 77.4 percent from the free throw line.
Brennon Dodge
BRENNON DODGE, Shawnee Heights
A senior guard, Dodge was the lone underclassman on the TSN All-Shawnee County Top 10 last season after helping lead Shawnee Heights to a 15-7 record. Dodge averaged 13.8 points a year ago to go with 2.9 assists and 1.8 steals per game. Dodge shot 52.5 percent on 2-point field goal attempts and hit 19 3-pointers on the season.
Jack Donovan
JACK DONOVAN, Rossville
Donovan, a sophomore, was named the TSN All-Shawnee County co-newcomer of the year and earned all-county honorable mention as a freshman for the Bulldawgs, who showed strides in a 7-14 season. Donovan also was named to the Valley Falls All-Tournament team and earned second-team All-Mid-East League recognition.
Malakyah Duncan
MALAKYAH DUNCAN, Topeka West
Duncan, a 6-4 sophomore, saw varsity action as a freshman for Rick Bloomquist's 14-8 Chargers and will be counted on to fill a more extensive role this season after Topeka West graduated several key players.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
LaDaysha Baird
LaDAYSHA BAIRD, Topeka High
A 5-foot-4 senior, Baird earned TopSports.news All-Shawnee County Second 10 recognition last season after helping Topeka High post a 16-6 record. Baird averaged 7.7 points as a junior and shot 50 percent from 3-point range with 32 made treys. Baird also averaged 1.3 assists for the Trojans.
Anna Becker
ANNA BECKER, Seaman
A 5-foot-10 junior point guard, Becker is a two-time TopSports.news All-Shawnee County Top 10 pick and was named the United Kansas Conference player of the year last season after helping lead Seaman to a 21-2 record and a Class 5A state tournament berth. Becker, who has made an oral commitment to Drake, averaged 12 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.3 steals and 3.7 assists last season.
Breezy Canady
BREEZY CANADY, Shawnee Heights
Canady, a 5-5 senior guard, is a top returner for Shawnee Heights after helping the T-Birds post a 15-7 record last season. Canady averaged 6.7 points, 2.6 assists, 2.5 rebounds and 2.3 steals as a junior for the T-Birds, earning All-Shawnee County and All-United Kansas Conference honorable mention.
Zoe Canfield
ZOE CANFIELD, Washburn Rural
A 5-foot-11 senior, Canfield's junior season was cut short after nine games by an ACL injury after helping lead the Junior Blues to the Class 6A state title as a sophomore. Canfield, who has signed with Kansas, averaged 12.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, hit 18 3-pointers and shot 77.1 percent from the free throw line prior to her injury. As a sophomore Canfield earned TSN All-Shawnee County Top 10 TSN recognition.
Zoe Clark
ZOE CLARK, Topeka West
A 5-7 senior, Clark received TSN All-Shawnee County Second 10 and All-United Kansas Conference second-team honors last season for Topeka West, which posted a five-win improvement in the 2022-2023 campaign. Clark, who has played varsity basketball since her freshman year will be counted on to provide leadership for the Chargers this winter.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Seaman, which won its first Class 5A state championship, put four players on the TopSports.news 2023 All-Shawnee County volleyball team, led by player of the year Maegan Mills.
Seaman junior Maegan Mills has been named the Shawnee County volleyball player of the year after heping lead the Vikings to a 38-6 record and the Class 5A state title. [File photo/TSN]
Seaman coach Tatiana Dowling was named the TSN Shawnee County coach of the year after leading the Vikings to the Class 5A state volleyball title. [File photo/TSN]
Mills, a junior, is joined on the all-county first team by Viking seniors Brooklyn Gormley and Taylin Stallbaumer and junior Reagan McGivern while Seaman's Tatiana Dowling, a Seaman grad, was named the coach of the year after leading the Vikings to a 38-6 record, including five straight-set wins in the state tournament.
Mills and Gormley are first-team repeaters while Stallbaumer and McGivern move up to the first team after being second-teamers in 2022.
Silver Lake, which placed third in the 3A state tournament, is represented on the first team by seniors Mckinley Kruger and Sarah Wehrli and junior Ella Bolan, with Kruger and Wehrli earning all-county honorable mention a year ago.
Washburn Rural seniors Jada Ingram and Zoe Canfield and junior Layla Collins are first-team selections after helping the Junior Blues win the Centennial League championship and advance to the 6A state tournament.
Ingram and Canfield are both first-team All-Shawnee County repeat picks while Collins moves up from the second team.
Rossville, which posted a 31-8 record, is represented on the first team by seniors Kinsey Perine, a three-time All-Shawnee County first-teamer, and Kinley Porter, who moves up from the second team.
Cair Paravel Latin is represented by senior Mayah Pridgett while Topeka West senior Addison Brooks, Shawnee Heights junior Kaydence Torrez and Hayden sophomore Ella Foster also earned all-county first-team recognition.
Pridgett has been a second-team all-county pick the last two seasons while Brooks received honorable mention the past two seasons and Foster and Torrez received honorable mention a year ago.
Rossville freshman Nora Burdiek was selected as the county newcomer of the year after compiling 312 kills and 181 digs in her first season of high school volleyball.
All-Shawnee County first-team capsules:
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Nine Silver Lake and Rossville players have received mention on the All-Mid-East Volleyball team, led by four first-team selections.
McKinley Kruger
Kinsey Perine
Kinley Porter
Sarah Wehrli
Silver Lake, which posted a 32-12 record and placed third in the Class 3A state tournament is represented by seniors McKinley Kruger and Sarah Wehrli while Rossville, which went 31-8 on the year, put seniors Kinsey Perine and Kinley Porter on the first team.
Perine was an all-league first-team repeater while Perine, Kruger, Porter and Wehrli were all unanimous first-team selections.
Silver Lake junior Ella Bolan and Rossville freshman Nora Burdiek were second-team picks while Silver Lake seniors Kaibryn Kruger and Makenzie McDaniel and Rossville senior Ryan Leathers received honorable mention.
ALL-MID-EAST LEAGUE VOLLEYBALL
First team
Ayla Klingenberg, Rock Creek; McKinley Kruger, Silver Lake; Kinsey Perine, Rossville; Kinley Porter, Rossville; Brenna Smith, St. Marys; Sarah Wehrli, Silver Lake.
Second team
Ella Bolan, Silver Lake; Nora Burdiek, Rossville; Hope Garland, St. Marys; Hayden Heim, St. Marys; Sam Killingsworth, Rock Creek; Ambree Portelli, Rock Creek.
Honorable mention
Maddie Belle Davis, Riley County; Kaibryn Kruger, Silver Lake; Ryan Leathers, Rossville; Sarah Lett, St. Marys; Makenzie McDaniel, Silver Lake; Brynna Zoeller, Rock Creek.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Hayden remained undefeated with a 49-0 Class 3A home playoff rout past Baldwin Friday night.
Hayden sophomore Kade Mitchell rushed for 251 yards and four touchdowns in the Wildcats' 49-0 Class 3A playoff win over Baldwin Friday night. [File photo/TSN]
Hayden's Dom Ridley rushed for 67 yards and a touchdown in the Wildcats' 49-0 Class 3A playoff win over Baldwin. [File photo/TSN]
The 9-0 Wildcats advanced to a second-round game next Friday at Hayden against Santa Fe Trail (7-2), which advanced with a 56-40 win over Royal Valley.
Hayden scored the only points it would need on the second play from scrimmage, with junior Jensen Schrickel bursting 62 yards for a touchdown (conversion failed) to put the Wildcats up 6-0 with 11:41 left in the opening quarter.
Sophomore Kade Mitchell started off his big night with a 5-yard TD run that capped an eight-play, 74-yard scoring drive (conversion good) to give Hayden a 14-0 lead with 2:01 left in the first quarter.
Hayden broke the game open in the second quarter, with Dom Ridley scoring on a 9-yard run (Mason Becker kick), Mitchell scoring on a 21-yard run (Becker kick) and Conner Hanika completing a 28-yard touchdown pass to Makhi Kidd (Becker kick) with 2:53 left in the half to give the Wildcats a commanding 35-0 halftime lead.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
(Games at 7 p.m., unless noted)
CLASS 6A
Washburn Rural senior quarterback Branton DeWeese (right) ran for two touchdowns and threw for two TDs in Rural's 55-8 win over Topeka West last Thursday. [File photo/TSN]
WICHITA NORTH (0-8) at WASHBURN RURAL (8-0)
Washburn Rural, the No. 1 West seed, wrapped up a perfect regular season with a 55-8 non-league romp past Topeka West last Thursday at Hummer Sports Park and the Junior Blues will be a big favorite again Friday against winless Wichita North. Senior quarterback Branton DeWeese threw for two touchdowns and ran for two TDs in Rural's win over Topeka West while junior Lafayette Thompson scored a pair of TDs, including a 90-yard kickoff return. The winner of Friday's game will advance in the 6A playoffs to face the winner of Friday's game between Junction City (5-3) and Wichita Heights (5-3). As long as they keep winning, the Junior Blues will be at Bowen-Glaze Stadium through the first four rounds of the playoffs. Wichita North is coming off a 52-0 loss ot Pittsburg.
TOPEKA HIGH (1-7) at DERBY (7-1)
Topeka High is the No. 14 West seed and will be on the road for the second straight season to face perennial Class 6A power Derby, the No. 3 West seed and the winner of five state titles since 2015. Topeka High dropped a 62-33 road non-league decision against Hays last Friday while Derby took a 55-7 win over Newton. The Panthers' lone loss was a 33-19 decision to reigning 6A state champion Manhattan in the season-opener. The Topeka High-Derby winner advances to face the winner of the first-round game between Lawrence (6-2) and Dodge City (3-5).
CLASS 5A
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Cair Paravel Latin, in only its second season competing as a full KSHSAA member in football, finished off a 6-2 regular season with a 74-28 victory over Maranatha Academy.
The Lions, who finished second in Eight-Man I District 2 will host 4-4 Sedan, which finished third in District 1, in a first-round playoff game next Friday (site to be determined)
Cair Paravel senior Jesiah Bonura compiled 435 all-purpose yards in Friday's 74-28 victory over Maranatha Christian. [File photo/TSN]
Junior Jase Pavlik threw for five touchdowns and ran for a TD as Cair Paravel capped a 6-2 regular season with a 74-28 win over Maranatha Academy. [File photo/TSN]
Senior Jesiah Bonura had a huge game in the Lions' win over Maranatha, compiling 435 all-purpose yards.
Bonura caught four passes for 47 yards and a touchdown, carried the ball five times for 193 yards and two TDs and had four kickoff returns for 195 yards and two scores.
CPLS junior quarterback Jase Pavlik completed nine of 14 passes for 86 yards and five touchdowns and carried the ball five times for 95 yards and a TD.
The winner of Cair Paravel's opening playoff game next week will advance to face the winner of the game between Central-Burden (8-0) and Goessel (1-7).
SHAWNEE HEIGHTS 47, LEAVENWORTH 7 --Shawnee Heights put the cap on a 6-2 regular season with a 47-7 United Kansas Conference road win at Leavenworth.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Rossville junior football standout Tayson Horak and Hayden junior state tennis champion Emily Sheetz have been selected by the Dan Key Farmers Insurance Agency as the Rising Stars of the Week.
The Dan Key Agency will recognize top Shawnee County underclassmen throughout the bulk of the 2023-2024 school year.
Here’s a brief look at the accomplishments of Horak and Sheetz over the past week:
Rossville junior Tayson Horak (12) scored four touchdowns in last Friday's 64-14 Class 2A district win over Pleasant Ridge. [File photo/TSN]
TAYSON HORAK, Rossville
Horak scored four touchdowns for Rossville last Friday night as the Bulldawgs rolled to a 64-14 Class 2A District 3 victory over Pleasant Ridge.
Horak scored on runs of 52 and 59 yards against the Rams and caught 4 and 26-yard touchdown passes from quarterback Camden Horak.
Tayson's four TDs helped Rossville improve to 4-3 overall and 2-1 in district play.
Hayden junior Emily Sheetz (right) and senior Lauren Sandstrom won a second straight Class 4A state doubles championship last Saturday in Winfield. [File photo/TSN]
EMILY SHEETZ, Hayden
Sweetz teamed with Lauren Sandstrom to win the Class 4A state doubles tennis championship for the second straight season last Saturday in Winfield, capping a 33-3 season.
Sheetz and Sandstrom earned 4A state medals three straight seasons, finishing seventh in 2021 before winning the back-to-back state titles.
Sandstrom and Sheetz won Centennial League and 4A regional doubles titles this fall and finished second in the city meet in No. 1 doubles.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
(All games at 7 p.m.)
THURSDAY'S GAME
WASHBURN RURAL (7-0) vs. TOPEKA WEST (1-6)
At Hummer Sports Park
Washburn Rural clinched the Centennial League championship with last Friday's 46-0 win at Emporia and can clinch the No. 1 seed in the Class 6A West for the playoffs with a Thursday night non-league win over city rival Topeka West. Washburn Rural is the only remaining undefeated team in 6A. Rural quarterback Branton DeWeese threw for three touchdowns against Emporia as the Junior Blues opened up a 39-0 halftime lead before forcing a running clock early in the second half. Topeka West is coming off a 62-12 United Kansas Conference loss to Shawnee Heights and is currently the No. 13 seed in the 5A East.
FRIDAY GAMES
Junior quarterback Jett Wahlmeier has passed for 852 yards and six touchdowns for 7-0 Hayden, which will host Hiawatha in a non-league contest Friday. [File photo/TSN]
HIAWATHA (1-6) at HAYDEN (7-0)
Hayden clinched the Class 3A District 4 championship last Friday night with a 24-7 win over Holton and will host Hiawatha in a non-league contest. Hiawatha is coming off a 28-0 loss to Marysville. Hayden will be at home next Friday for the first round of the 3A playoffs. Wildcat junior Jett Wahlmeier has completed 50 of 94 passes for 852 yards and six touchdowns while junior Jensen Schrickel has caught 20 passes for 393 yards and four TDs and has carried the ball 10 times for 100 yards. Junior Broderick Desch has rushed for 286 yards and eight touchdowns on 57 attempts and sophomore Kade Mitchell has 235 yards and four TDs on 36 carries.
Seaman junior quarterback Max Huston has passed for 1,905 yards and 25 touchdowns this fall. [File photo/TSN]
PIPER (1-5, 1-5 United Kansas Conference) at SEAMAN (3-4, 3-3 United Kansas Conference)
Seaman will be looking to bounce back from last Friday's heartbreaking 27-24 United Kansas Conference road loss at Basehor-Linwood, the Vikings' third loss this fall by 7 or fewer points and their second 3-point loss. Seaman is currently the No. 10 East seed for the Class 5A playoffs. Seaman junior quarterback Max Huston has completed 128 of 205 passes for 1,905 yards and 25 touchdowns while only throwing one interception. Senior Callen Barta has 44 receptions for 891 yards and 12 TDs. Senior Jack Bloom has rushed for 416 yards and six scores on107 attempts. Junior Hayden Cummings has been in on 69 tackles for the Vikings. Piper is coming off a 10-0 UKC win over Leavenworth.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Hayden improved to 7-0 with Friday night's 24-7 home win over Holton while wrapping up the Class 3A District 4 championship.
Hayden's Jensen Schrickel (9), who rushed for 57 yards on seven attempts, takes a handoff from Wildcat quarterback Jett Wahlmeier (7) in Friday's 24-7 Class 3A district win over Holton. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Hayden junior quarterback Jett Wahlmeier threw for 101 yards and ran for two TDs in the Wildcats' 24-7 district win over Holton Friday night at Hayden. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
The Wildcats will try to close out a perfect regular season with next Friday's home non-league Senior Night game against Hiawatha.
Hayden never trailed after driving 65 yards in 13 plays on its opening drive for a 9-yard touchdown run from junior quarterback Jett Wahlmeier.
The score remained 7-0 for the bulk od the half, as both teams had scoring threats come up empty, before freshman Mason Becker kicked a 39-yard field goal with 3.3 seconds left in the half to give Holton a 10-0 halftime advantage.
Holton, which fell to 3-4 on the season, took the second-half kickoff and drove to the Hayden 9-yard-line before coughing up a fumble that sophomore Xander Blasing recovered for Hayden, ending a six-minute-plus Holton drive.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
(All games at 7 p.m.)
THURSDAY'S GAME
Junior Jamon Wilson has rushed for 243 yards and caught 20 passes for 415 yards for Highland Park, 4-2 on the season. [File photo/TSN]
KC-NORTHEAST (0-6) vs. HIGHLAND PARK (4-2)
At Hummer Sports Park
Highland Park will be looking to bounce back from two straight losses, including a 64-8 Meadowlark Conference decision to Atchison last Thursday. The Scots are fighting for a home berth (top eight seeds) in the first round of the Class 5A playoffs. The Scots are currently tied for No. 5 spot in the East and No. 7 in terms of point differential. HIghland Park junior quarterback Craig Sipple has completed 33 of 66 passes for 684 yards and seven touchdowns while senior Amari Taylor is the Scots' leading rusher with 370 yards and four TDs on 42 carries. Junior Jamon Wilson has carried the ball 19 times for 243 yards and three scores and has 20 receptions for 415 yards and four TDs.KC-Northeast, Mo. is coming off a 41-20 loss to KC-Sumner and has been outscored 269-84. .
FRIDAY GAMES
Junior quarterback Jett Wehlmeier has passed for 748 yards for 6-0 Hayden, which hosts Holton Friday night. [File photo/TSN]
HOLTON (3-3, 2-0 Class 3A District 4) at HAYDEN (6-0, 3-0 Class 3A District 4)
Hayden can clinch the Class 3A District 4 championship with a win Friday night over Holton, which handed Hayden its only two losses a year ago en route to a runnerup finish in 3A. Hayden is coming off 49-0 district road romp past Royal Valley last Friday while Holton dropped a 21-0 non-league home decision to Rossville. Hayden junior quarterback Jett Wahlmeier has completed 42 of 80 passes for 748 yards and six touchdowns while junior Jensen Schrickel has caught 16 passes for 345 yards and four TDs. Junior Broderick Desch and sophomore Kade Mitchell have helped take up the slack for injured star running back Finn Dunshee, with Desch carrying the ball 43 times for 233 yards and eight touchdowns and Mitchell gaining 221 yards on 30 attempts with four TDs.
Topeka West's Trey Parker picked up his first win as a head coach in last Friday's 35-15 UKC win over KC-Turner. [File photo/TSN]
TOPEKA WEST (1-5, 1-5 United Kansas Conference) at SHAWNEE HEIGHTS (4-2, 3-2)
Both the Chargers and T-Birds are coming off big wins last Friday, with Topeka West picking up its first win of the year with a 35-15 home UKC win over KC-Turner while Shawnee Heights rallied for a 12-7 non-league home win over Wamego, the Class 4A runnerup in 2022. Shawnee Heights will be looking to strengthen its hold on a home berth for the first round of the upcoming 5A playoffs. The T-Birds are tied for the No. 5 East seed but are eighth in terms of point differential. The top eight seeds will host first-round games. Topeka West senior Josh Nitschke rushed for 271 yards and scored four touchdowns in the Chargers' win over Turner. Heights senior quarterback Ryeki Tuley has completed 106 of 168 passes for 1,293 yards and 10 touchdowns and has rushed for 242 yards and five TDs on 61 attempts. Senior Allen Baughman has carried the ball 98 times for 370 yards and four TDs while senior Jayden Moore has 39 pass receptions for 483 yards and a pair of scores.
JUNCTION CITY (3-3, 0-2 Centennial League) vs. TOPEKA HIGH (1-5, 1-2 Centennial League)
At Hummer Sports Park
Both the Blue Jays and Trojans are coming off Centennial League losses. Junction City dropped a 38-7 decision to reigning Class 6A state champion Manhattan while Topeka High lost a 48-15 game to undefeated Washburn Rural. Sophomore quarterback Zane Smith passed for 147 yards and a touchdown for Topeka High in the Trojans' loss at Rural while senior Isaiah Kincade scored both of High's touchdowns. A longtime Centennial League and Class 6A stalwart, Junction City is looking for its first league win after back-to-back league losses to Washburn Rural and Manhattan.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Washburn Rural's girls golf team went through a somewhat up and down day in Monday's Class 6A regional at Cypress Ridge.
But the Junior Blues achieved their main objective, earning a team berth for next Monday and Tuesday's state tournament at Emporia Municipal.
Senior Raegan Petersen, lining up a putt, shot an 85 to lead Washburn Rural to a third-place finish and a state berth in Monday's Class 6A regional tournament at Cypress Ridge. [Photo by Rick Petersen/TSN]
The Junior Blues shot a four-person score of 346 Monday to earn the third of four team berths for the state tournament.
"Just survive and advance and see what we've got next week,'' Washburn Rural coach Jared Goehring said. "I thought we were right there for a stretch today and it seemed like we just didn't have our best stuff coming in finishing but we'll work on that this week and get ready to go for some positive results next week at the state tournament.''
Olathe Northwest won the regional team championship by a 331-335 margin over Manhattan while Rural took third-place by a four-stroke margin over Olathe West, which garnered the final team berth.
Senior Raegan Petersen paced Washburn Rural Monday, shooting an 85 to tie for seventh place individually.
Washburn Rural junior Natalie Peterson tied for 10th in Monday's Class 6A regional golf tournament, helping the Junior Blues earn a state berth. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Junior Natalie Peterson tied for 10th with an 86 while senior Olivia Smith tied for 12th with an 87 and junior Reece Randall tied for 14th with an 88 to round out the Junior Blues' top four.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Coming off a 14-point loss to Silver Lake in the War on 24 last week, Rossville bounced back with a 21-0 non-league road shutout at perennial state power Holton Friday night.
Rossville senior quarterback Camden Horak ran for a touchdown and passed for a TD in Friday's 21-0 shutout win at Holton. [File photo/TSN]
Rossville junior Tayson Horak (12) scored the Bulldawgs' final touchdown in Friday's 21-0 non-league win at Holton. [File photo/TSN]
The Bulldawgs, who evened their record at 3-3, scored the only touchdown they would need at the 5:57 mark of the first quarter, with senior quarterback Camden Horak connecting with sophomore Jack Donavan for an 8-yard score.
Rossville stretched its lead to 14-0 at the half, with the Bulldawgs scoring at the 11:25 mark of the second quarter on a 1-yard run by C. Horak.
The Bulldawgs finished their scoring with 54 seconds left in the third quarter, getting a 37-yard run from junior Tayson Horak.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
(All games at 7 p.m.)
THURSDAY'S GAME
ATCHISON (5-0, 4-0 Meadowlark Conferance) vs. HIGHLAND PARK (4-1, 4-0 Meadowlark Conference)
At Hummer Sports Park
Atchison, the defending Meadowlark Conference champion, enters Thursday night's game tied for the conference lead with Highland Park. Atchison is coming off a 63-18 Meadowlark win over Kansas City-Washington while Highland Park dropped a 57-6 non-league decision at Kansas City, Mo.-Lincoln Prep last Friday. HIghland Park junior quarterback Craig Sipple has thrown for more than 500 yards while senior Amari Taylor is the Scots' leading rusher.
FRIDAY GAMES
Washburn Rural senior Jaren Heim (27) scored a pair of touchdowns in last Friday's 28-0 Centennial League win at Junction City. [File photo/TSN]
TOPEKA HIGH (1-4, 1-1 Centennial League) at WASHBURN RURAL (5-0, 2-0 Centennial League)
Topeka High dropped a 70-7 non-league decision to Wichita Northwest last Friday while Washburn Rural remained unbeaten with a 28-7 Centennial League road win at Junction City. Rural scored three of its four touchdowns on defense/special teams as seniors Jaren and JC Heim had big nights for the Junior Blues. Sophomore Malichi Murph scored Topeka High's lone TD against Wichita Northwest on a fumble return. Washburn Rural can clinch a share of the Centennial League title with a win.
Topeka West senior Josh Nitschke rushed for 174 yards and scored on 72 and 91-yard runs last week against Lansing. [File photo/TSN]
KC-TURNER (0-5, 0-4 United Kansas Conference) vs. TOPEKA WEST (0-5, 0-5 United Kansas Conference)
At Hummer Sports Park
Both the Bears and Chargers will be looking for their first victories of the season. Turner is coming off a 56-7 United Kansas Conference loss to Piper while Topeka West dropped an 84-14 non-conference decision to Lansing last Thursday. Senior Josh Nitschke rushed for 174 yards and scored both of Topeka West's touchdowns against Lansing, on 72 and 91-yard runs. Topeka West notched its lone win of the 2022 season over Turner, with the Chargers taking a 26-21 decision.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Reigning Class 6A volleyball champion Washburn Rural rolled to the Centennial League championship Saturday at Manhattan, posting a perfect 5-0 record in the round-robin event to stretch its winning streak to seven matches.
Washburn Rural senior Jada Ingram (6) and the Junior Blues went 5-0 Saturday at Manhattan to win the Centennial League volleyball title. [File photo by Doug Walker/TSN]
The Junior Blues, now 13-7 on the season, lost just one set on the day while posting victories over league foes Emporia (25-16, 25-15), Junction City (25-16, 25-8), Manhattan (25-14, 23-25, 25-14), Topeka High (25-15, 25-12) and Hayden (25-20, 25-22).
"We are making pretty good strides in what we need to do and how we are playing,'' Washburn Rural coach Kevin Bordewick said. "We didn't necessarily play our best on Saturday, but we are getting better at all aspects of the game.
"We really just need to be more consistent and maybe understand game situations better.''
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
(All games at 7 p.m.)
THURSDAY'S GAME
LANSING (2-2, 2-2 United Kansas Conferance) vs. TOPEKA WEST (0-4, 0-4 United Kansas Conference)
At Hummer Sports Park
Topeka West fell to 0-4 last week with a 34-0 United Kansas Conference loss to Piper, while Lansing evened its record at 2-2 with a 28-21 UKC win over Seaman. Topeka West has been outscored 217-12 over its first four games, but the Charger defense allowed a season-low 34 points last Friday against Piper.
FRIDAY GAMES
Rossville quarterback Camden Horak has passed for 882 yards and nine touchdowns for the 2-2 Bulldawgs. [File photo/TSN]
Silver Lake's Tanner Martin is one of the top returning quarterbacks in the Class 2A ranks, leading the Eagles to a 3-1 start to the 2023 season. [File photo/TSN]
SILVER LAKE (3-1, 0-0 Class 2A District 3) at ROSSVILLE (2-2, 1-0 Class 2A District 3)
Both the Eagles and Bulldawgs tuned up for the storied War on 24 rivalry with big wins last Friday. Silver Lake outlasted Mid-East League foe Rock Creek, 38-35, while Rossville opened Class 2A District 3 play with a 70-0 rout at Atchison County. Friday will be Silver Lake's district opener. Rossville quarterback Camden Horak has completed 61 of 98 passes for 882 yards and nine touchdowns while Tayson Horak has caught 21 passes for 312 yards and two TDs and rushed for 179 yards and a TD on 16 attempts. Top players for Silver Lake include quarterback Tanner Martin, running back Blake Redmond and receiver Eli Barnes.
Hayden senior Finn Dunshee has rushed for 630 yards and 10 touchdowns on 28 carries for the 4-0 Wildcats. [File photo/TSN]
PERRY-LECOMPTON (1-3, 0-1 Class 3A District 4) at HAYDEN (4-0, 1-0 Class 3A District 4)
Hayden, which has outscored its opposition by a 210-37 margin, stayed red hot with a 64-0 rout win at Jefferson West last Friday to open Class 3A District 4 play. Senior Finn Dunshee has rushed for 630 yards and 10 touchdowns on just 28 carries while junior quarterback Jett Wahlmeier has completed 27 of 47 passes for 474 yards and five TDs and junior Jensen Schrickel has 11 catches for 186 yards and three touchdowns. Perry-Lecompton is coming off a 32-12 loss to Holton.
BURLINGAME (4-0, 1-0 Eight-Man-I District 2) vs. CAIR PARAVEL LATIN (2-2, 0-1 Eight-Man-I District 2)
At Highland Park
Cair Paravel opened Eight-Man Division I District 2 play last week with a 58-30 loss to undefeated Lyndon and the Lions face an undefeated team for the second straight game Friday night. Burlingame is coming off a 53-0 rout over Chase County in the Bearcats' district opener. This will be Cair Paravel's final season in Eight-Man football before the Lions switch to the 11-man ranks next fall.
