Silver Lake Eagles

 By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Silver Lake in Class 3A and Rossville in 2A opened volleyball postseason in impressive fashion on Monday, with both the Eagles and Bulldawgs going 3-0  to capture regional tournament titles and advance to sub-state competition on Saturday.

Silver Lake went 3-0 with three straight-set wins to win Monday's Class 3A volleyball tournament at Silver Lake. [Silver Lake volleyball]

Rossville went 3-0 with three straight-set wins to win Monday's Class 2A volleyball tournament at Atchison. [Rossville volleyball]

Silver Lake posted three straight-set wins to win the 3A regional it hosted while Rossville duplicated that feat in the 2A event at Atchison.

The 27-9 Eagles advanced to a Saturday 3A sub-state at Royal Valley while the 20-14 Bulldawgs will compete in a 2A sub-state at Maranatha Academy in Shawnee.

Silver Lake opened its regional bid with a 25-15, 25-15 win over Sabetha, followeed by a 25-10, 25-13 victory over Riley County and a 25-13, 25-18 win over Perry-Lecompton.

The Eagles are the No. 2 seed for Saturday's Royal Valley sub-state and will play the second match against No. 3 Santa Fe Trail (28-8).

The Silver Lake-Santa Fe Trail winner will take on the winner of the first match between No. 1 Royal Valley (29-7) and No. 4 Marysville (13-19) for the sub-state title, with the winner advancing to the 3A state tournament at Hutchinson Nov. 1-2.

 Rossville took a 25-8, 25-17 win over Cair Paravel Latin in its first regional match before taking a 25-2, 25-11 win over Valley Falls and a 25-21, 25-21 win over Maur Hill Mt. Academy.

Cair Paravel went 1-2 on the day, posting a 25-15, 25-16 win over Valley Falls. The Lions dropped a three-set decision to Maur Hill-Mt. Academy, which took a 25-22, 15-25, 25-20 win.

Rossville is the No. 2 seed for the Maranatha Academy sub-state on Saturday and will play the second match of the day aganst No. 3 Pleasant Ridge (21-13).

The winner of that match will play for the sub-state title against the winner of the match between top seed Maranatha Academy (34-6) and No. 4 Jefferson North (16-20).

The sub-state champ will advance to the state tournament Nov. 1-2 at Dodge City.

Other Saturday sub-states involving local schools:

Class 6A at Washburn Rural

Washburn Rural (28-6) is the No. 1 6A West seed and will host a four-school sub-state Saturday.

The Junior Blues will face No. 16 West seed Liberal (4-29) in the 1 p.m. match, followed by a match between No. 8 seed Topeka High (16-18) and No. 9 Free State (13-17).

The two winners will face off at approximately 3 p.m. for the sub-state title, with the winner moving on to the 6A state tournament Nov. 1-2 at Salina.

Class 5A at Seaman

Defending 5A champion Seaman will host a 5A sub-state Saturday, with the 35-2 Vikings the No. 1 West seed.

Seaman will play No. 16 Topeka West (13-21) in the first match of the tournament followed by the other semifinal between No. 8 Emporia (23-12) and No. 9 Maize South (23-13).

The two winners will advance to the sub-state final, with the tournament champion advancing to the 5A state tournament Nov. 1-2 at Salina.

Class 5A at Blue Valley Southwest

Shawnee Heights (17-18) is the No. 8 East seed and will face No. 9 Basehor-Linwood (17-18) in the second match of the day.

The winner will advance to take on the winner between No. 1 seed Blue Valley Southwest (29-5) and No. 16 Kansas City-Turner (9-21).

The sub-state champ will move on to the 5A state tournament Nov. 1-2 at Salina.

Class 5A at St. Thomas Aquinas

Highland Park is the No. 10 East seed (11-12) and will face No. 7 Spring Hill (19-17) in a sub-state semifinal.

The winner of that match will face the semifinal winner between No. 2 Aquinas (27-5) and No. 15 Leavenworth (11-20) for the sub-state title, with the winner advancing to the 5A state tournament Nov. 1-2 at Salina.

Class 4A at Hayden

Hayden, the No. 3 East seed at 27-10, will host a 4A sub-state on Saturday (2 p.m. start).

The Wildcats will face No. 14 Baldwin (10-22) in a semifinal match while No. 6 Paola (21-12) will take on No. 11 Parsons (15-18) in the other semifinal.

The winner of those two matches will play for the sub-state title, with the winner advancing to the 4A state tournament Nov. 1-2 at Hutchinson.

 By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Defending Class 4A state girls golf champion Hayden will take a four-stroke lead into Tuesday's final day of the 2024 state tournament at Hesston Golf Course.

Hayden junior Lauren Borjon is tied for second place after Monday's opening round of the Class 4A state tournament at Hesston. [File photo/TSN]

Hayden finished Monday's opening round with a four-person score of 69 over par, while Wellington sits second at plus 73, followed by McPherson at plus 79.

Hayden junior Lauren Borjon finished Day 1 tied for second place individually with a 5-over-par 76, six strokes behind tournament leader Addison Douglas, who carded a 1-under 70.

Wildcat senior Addyson Baer is tied for 14th after a first-round 86 while junior Izzy Glotzbach is tied for 18th after an 89.

Brooke Johnson shot a 102, Nora Allphin a 107 and Kellyn Specht a 112 for Hayden.

The final round of the tournament is scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m.

Silver Lake senior Taylor Zordel, a three-time state medalist, is tied for fifth in the Class 3A-1A state tournament entering Tuesday's final round at Emporia. [File photo/TSN]

Silver Lake third in 3A-1A

Defending Class 3A-1A state champion Silver Lake will begin the final 18 holes of the state tournament at Emporia Municipal Golf Course in third place, seven strokes off the pace.

The Eagles finished Day 1 with a four-person score of 88 over par, seven strokes behind tournament leader Caney Valley and five strokes behind second-place Pittsburg Colgan.

Senior Taylor Zordel led Silver Lake with an opening-round of 86 and will begin Tuesday's round tied for fifth place.

Junior Kailyn Hanni is tied for 13th after a first-round 90 while Makenna Miller shot a 95, Savannah Wende a 101, Hope Thornton a 102 and Alyssa Streit a 113.

Rossville's Elley Sanders shot a first-round 94 and advanced to the second round of the tournament tied for 26th place.

The 3A-1A state tournament is set for a 10 a.m. start on Tuesday. 

Class 6A, 5A state tournaments postponed

Neither the Class 6A state tournament at Hutchinson and the 5A event at Salina completed the opening round on Monday.

Both state tournaments are scheduled to resume at 9 a.m. Tuesday, with the final round scheduled to begin after the competion of Day 1.

All six of Washburn Rural's players completed their first round, with senior Reece Randall shooting a 79, senior Natalie Peterson, junior Lauren Cox an 82 and senior Colbey Stead an 86 to lead the Junior Blues.

Rural was tied for fourth place and in a good position to advance to the final round of competition.

Three of Seaman's six players completed their first round in the 5A state tourney, with senior Anna McLaughlin leading the Vikings with a 91 while Chloe Schmidtlein shot a 97 and Molina Quintana a 105.

Competing as individuals, Shawnee Heights' Lyla Blair shot an 87, Topeka West's Alex Baxter a 94. Shawnee Heights' Lauryn Valdivia a 105 and West's Berlyn Kolean a 113.

The 5A field will be cut to the top six teams and the top individuals after the conclusion of the first round.

 By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Hayden two-sport athlete Izzy Glotzbach is already a 2024 state champion, helping the Wildcats run away with the Class 4A state tennis title Saturday at Kossover Tennis Center.

Hayden junior Izzy Glotzbach helped the Wildcats win the Class 4A tennis title on Saturday and will turn her attention to state golf on Monday in Hesston. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Hayden junior Izzy Glotzbach will compete in the Class 4A state golf tournament on Monday after tying for ninth for the state-champion Wildcats as a sophomore. [Photo by Kyle Grunert/Special to TSN]

And the Hayden junior would like nothing more than to add another championship to her resume in Monday and Tuesday's state golf tournament at Hesston as the Wildcats attempt to successfully defend their 2023 state crown.

"I really hope we can get it done,'' Glotzbach said. "It would be really cool to win it in two sports.''

Glotzbach earned her first state individual tennis medal on Saturday when she teamed with junior Avery O'Bray for an 11th-place doubles finish and has now earned state medals in both of her fall sports after tying for ninth in state golf as a sophomore to lead the way as the Wildcats won the state title by 37 strokes.

Hayden's golf team began its title defense in last Monday's McPherson regional, tying the host Bullpups for the team title and winning on a tiebreaker. 

Hayden posted a four-person score of 326 at McPherson, with all of the Wildcats' top four earning top-10 finishes.

Senior Addyson Baer shot a 79 to pace Hayden with a fifth-place individual regional finish while junior Lauren Borjon was seventh with a 79, Glotzbach eighth with an 82 and sophomore Brooke Johnson ninth with an 84.

The Wildcats also got a 19th-place finish from senior Nora Allphin (95) and a 39th-place finish from junior Kellyn Specht (120).

And Glotzbach feels like her team has put itself in position to challenge for a title repeat.

"I think it's going to be a tough battle against McPherson and Wellington, but I think we can get it done if we just play how we know how to play,'' she said.

Glotzbach admits that playing dual sports in the same season is a challenge.

"It's pretty tough,'' she said. "I just have to really focus on school and still do sports.''

But Glotzbach said it's well worth the time and effort.

"It's fun to just be around the team and have the experience of winning state and stuff like that.''

Glotzbach is one of three returning players off last year's state championship golf team, with Borjon, who placed 15th a year ago, and  Baer also returning.

The 2024 state tourneys will get under way at 9 a.m. Monday.  

Washburn Rural senior Natalie Peterson shot a 77 last Monday to place third individually in the Class 6A regional tournament at Cypress Ridge. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Washburn Rural senior Reece Randall shot a 78 last Monday to finish fourth in the Class 6A regional tournament at Cypress Ridge. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

CLASS 6A

Coming off a fourth-place team finish last fall, Washburn Rural is back in the Class 6A state tournament Monday and Tuesday at Hutchinson's Carey Park after a solid second-place finish in last Monday's 6A regional at Cypress Ridge.

The Junior Blues shot a four-person score of 329 at regionals as Washburn Rural combined with regional champ Manhattan (315) to earn the first 11 individual places.

Seniors Natalie Peterson (77) and Reece Randall (78) finished third and fourth to pace Washburn Rural while junior Lauren Cox placed eighth (85) and sophomore Kailyn Petersen finished 10th (89).

Senior Colbey Stead finished 11th with a 96 for the Junior Blues while junior Ella Taggart tied for 17th with a 109. 

Seaman junior Makenna Stuke posted a runnerup finish in last Monday's Class 5A regional golf tournament, helping the Vikings win the team title by a 19-stroke margin. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Seaman senior Jaycee Zimmerman posted a third-place individual finish for the regional-champion Vikings last Monday at Cypress Ridge. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

CLASS 5A

Seaman's girls golf team put all of its top four in the top five individual places in last Monday's Class 5A regional tournament at Cypress Ridge, winning the team championship by a 19-stroke margin while advancing to Monday and Tuesday's 5A state tournament at Salina Municipal Golf Course.

Seaman junior Makenna Stuke finished second individually with an 89, while senior Jaycee Zimmerman was third (93), sophomore Kaitlynn Frye fourth (95) and sophomore Chloe Schmidtlein fifth (97) as the Vikings won the team title by a 375-394 margin over De Soto.

The Vikings also got a tie for 12th place from junior Molina Quintana and senior Anna McLaughlin, who carded 108s.

Topeka West and Shawnee Heights both qualified a pair of individuals for state.

West senior Alex Baxter and Shawnee Heights senior Lyla Blair led the local individual qualifiers with a tie for seventh place (101), while Heights sophomore Lauryn Valdivia tied for 12th (108) and West junior Berlyn Kolean advanced with a 19th-place finish (119).

Silver Lake senior Taylor Zordel, a three-time state medalist, won the individual championship in last Monday's Class 3A-1A regional at Osage City, leading the defending state champions to the team title. [File photo/TSN]

CLASS 3A-1A

After winning its first Class 3A-1A state golf championship by 22 strokes last fall, Silver Lake will be shooting for a second straight state crown Monday and Tuesday at Emporia Municipal.

Silver Lake posted a 38-stroke win over Jefferson West in the 3A-1A regional at Osage City, posting a four-person score of 356 as senior Taylor Zordel led a one-two-three individual finish for the Eagles.

Zordel carded an 81 for a one-stroke victory over junior teammate Kailyn Hanni (82) while senior Hope Thornton finished third (92).

The Eagles also got a tie for 11th place from sophomore Savannah Wende (101), a tie for 13th from senior Makenna Miller (102) and a 23-place finish from Alyssa Streit (109).

Rossville had a pair of individual state qualifiers, with senior Brinley Pottorf placing 15th (104) and senior Jaymee Woodward tying for 21st (108).

SHAWNEE COUNTY STATE QUALIFIERS

 By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Rossville posted its fourth straight Class 1A District 2 win on Friday while improving to 4-3 overall with a 28-0-home win over Olpe.

The Bulldawgs were in control throughout the game, scoring the only touchdown they would need on a 28-yard run by senior quarterback Tayson Horak at the 7:23 mark of the opening quarter (Vincent Daniel kick). 

Rossville senior quarterback Tayson Horak threw for a touchdown and ran for a TD in the Bulldawgs' 28-0 district win over Olpe Friday night. [File photo/TSN]

Horak added a 10-yard passing touchdown to Kameron Badura (Daniel kick) with 3:26 left in the second quarter to give Rossville a 14-0 halftime advantage.

Seth Catron scored on a 15-yard run with 1:21 left in the third quarter (Daniel kick) to put the Bulldawgs in front 21-0 and Mahki Jackson added a 5-yard TD run midway through the fourth quarter (Daniel kick) to give Rossville its final margin. 

Rossville goes on the road to face district foe Wabaunsee (3-4, 2-2) on Friday.

CAIR PARAVEL LATIN 74, MARANATHA ACADEMY 6 -- Cair Paravel Latin snapped its five-game losing streak in resounding fashion Friday night at Yager Stadium, rolling to a Class 1A District 2 victory over Maranatha Academy.

The Lions improved to 2-5 overall and 1-3 in the district.

CPLS will close out its regular season Friday night at Olpe (5-2, 3-1).

Washburn Rural's Jordy Heim and the Rural defense come up with a touchdown-saving stop to end the first half Friday night against Junction City. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]

JUNCTION CITY 17, WASHBURN RURAL 0 -- Junction City entered the game giving up 35 points a game before blanking the Junior Blues 17-0 in a Centennial League game at Bowen-Glaze Stadium.

The Blue Jays took advantage of a Rural turnover to go up 7-0 in the first quarter on a 2-yard run by junior Justice Fonoti.

The Blue Jays added a 31-yard field goal from senior Ethan Hileman to take a 10-0 halftime advantage, forcing two Rural turnovers and three punts in the opening half.

Junction City used a nine-play, 80-yard drive to get its final score of the night on a 6-yard TD run by junior Jamarcus Tyson.

Junction City improved to 3-4 overall and 2-1 in the Centennial League while Rural fell to 3-4 and 2-1.

The Junior Blues will close out the regular season at undefeated Manhattan Friday night.

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

(All kickoffs at 7 p.m.)

THURSDAY'S GAME

Highland Park sophomore running back G'Honi Montgomery has helped lead the Scots to a 4-2 start to the 2024 season. [File photo/TSN]

KC-EAST, MO. (0-6) vs. HIGHLAND PARK (4-2)

At Hummer Sports Park

Highland Park will be looking to bounce back with a big non-league victory Thursday night against winless Kansas City-East, Mo. after suffering back-to-back road losses at Wichita East and Meadowlark Conferference power Atchison. The Scots are coming off a 62-21 loss to Atchison and will be eyeing a big offensive game Thursday after being outscored 136-27 over its past two games. Highland Park has outscored its foes 201-136 on the eason while East has been outscored 353-43 on the year. Senior running back Jamon Wilson, junior quarterback Dontrail Fox and sophomore running back G'Honi Montgomery have turned in big years for the Scots.

FRIDAY'S GAMES

Hayden junior Kade Mitchell has rushed for 507 yards and scored 15 total TDs this fall. [File photo/TSN]

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

Hayden is coming off a big 31-7 Class 3A District 4 road win at Holton last week and is in control of the District 4 race. Perry-Lecompton is also coming off a win, taking a 43-14 decision over Jefferson West. Hayden junior Kade Mitchell has carried the ball 54 times for 507 yards and caught 17 passes for 251 yards while scoring 15 total touchdowns. Senior quarterback Jett Wahlmeier has completed 62 of 95 passes for 934 yards and 11 touchdowns while senior Jensen Schrickel has caught 17 passes for 295 yards and scored seven TDs. Sophomore Mason Becker is 32 of 32 on extra point attempts while senior Jude Krentz leads the Wildcats with 53 tackles (30 solo).

Seaman junior Kaden McKinney (9) has rushed for 574 yards and 10 TDs while senior quarterback Max Huston (7) has passed for 1,365 yards and 17 TDs. [File photo/TSN]

BASEHOR-LINWOOD (6-0, 5-0) at SEAMAN (5-1, 5-0 UKC)

Friday's game is likely to decide the United Kansas Conference championship, with both the Bobcats and Vikings entering the night 5-0 in the conference. Seaman took a 59-34 UKC win at Shawnee Heights last week while Basehor-Linwood took a 44-6 non-league win over Tonganoxie. Seaman has won four straight games since a non-league loss to Class 6A Shawnee Mission East. Viking senior quarterback Max Huston has completed 75 of 121 passes for 1,365 yards and 17 touchdowns and has rushed for 381 yards and four TDs on 51 attempts. Junior Kaden McKinney has carried the ball 84 times for 574 yards and 10 TDs while senior Bryer Finley has caught 43 passes for 879 yards and 13 touchdowns. Junior linebacker Cameron Brian leads Seaman with 60 tackles (31 solo), while recording five tackles for loss.

 By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Defending state champions Hayden and Silver Lake earned a shot to defend their titles with regional championships on Monday.

The Wildcats tied tournament host McPherson for the team title in the Class 4A regional at Turkey Creek and won on a tiebreaker while Silver Lake posted a 38-stroke win over Jefferson West in the 3A-1A regional at Osage City.

Hayden posted a four-person score of 326 at McPherson, with all of the Wildcats' top four earning top-10 finishes.

Senior Addyson Baer finished fifth individually with a 79 as Hayden won Monday's Class 4A regional at McPherson on a fifth-player tiebreaker. [File photo/TSN]

Hayden junior Lauren Borjon finished seventh in Monday's Class 4A regional tournament at McPherson, helping the Wildcats win the team title on a tiebreaker. [File photo/TSN]

Senior Addyson Baer shot a 79 to pace Hayden with a fifth-place individual finish while junior Lauren Borjon was seventh with a 79, junior Izzy Glotzbach eighth with an 82 and sophomore Brooke Johnson ninth with an 84.

The Wildcats also got a 19th-place finish from senior Nora Allphin (95) and a 39th-place finish from junior Kellyn Specht (120) as Hayden punched its ticket to next Monday and Tuesday's 4A state championships at Hesston Golf Course. 

Silver Lake senior Taylor Zordel won the individual championship in Monday's Class 3A-1A regional at Osage City, leading the Eagles to the team title. [File photo/TSN]

Silver Lake dominated the 3A-1A regional at Osage City, posting a four-person score of 356 as senior Taylor Zordel led a one-two-three individual finish for the Eagles.

Zordel carded an 81 for a one-stroke victory over junior teammate Kailyn Hanni (82) while senior Hope Thornton finished third (92).

The Eagles also got a tie for 11th place from sophomore Savannah Wende (101), a tie for 13th from senior Makenna Miller (102) and a 23-place finish from Alyssa Streit (109).

Rossville had a pair of individual state qualifiers, with senior Brinley Pottorf placing 15th (104) and senior Jaymee Woodward tying for 21st (108).

The 3A-1A state tournament will be played next Monday and Tuesday at Emporia Municipal Golf Course.

CLASS 4A REGIONAL

 By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Rossville posted its third straight Class 1A District 2 win while evening its record at 3-3 with a 71-24 home romp past Cair Paravel Latin Friday night.

Rossville senior quarterback Tayson Horak had a hand in five touchdowns in the Bulldawgs' 71-24 district win over Cair Paravel. [File photo/TSN]

Rossville senior quarterback Tayson Horak had a hand in five touchdowns for the Bulldawgs, including kickoff and punt returns for TDs.

Horak opened the game with an 80-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to help Rossville open up a commanding 21-0 first-quarter advantage.

The Bulldawgs also got a 9-yard TD run from Conner Bush and a 1-yard TD from Andre Johnson in the opening quarter and opened up a 49-6 advantage at the half.

Rossville's four second-quarter touchdowns came on a 50-yard Bush run, a 30-yard pass from Horak to Mahki Jackson, a 42-yard Horak run and a 47-yard Horak punt return to end the first half.

Horak added a 47-yard third-quarter touchdown pass to Jack Donovan in the third quarter before Canann Mitchell scored on 10 and 24-yard TD runs in the fourth quarter to wrap up Rossville's scoring.

Vincent Daniel kicked seven extra points while Seth Catron and Remi Droegemeier converted 2-point conversions.

Cair Paravel (1-5, 0-3 district) struck for three long touchdowns in the game -- 38 and 50-yard passes and a 63-yard run.

Cair Paravel is scheduled to be at Yager Stadium next Friday to host Maranatha Christian Academy in a district game while Rossville will be at home to host Olpe.

Washburn Rural sophomore Cade Danielson tackles an Emporia ball-carrier for a safety in Friday's 53-8 Rural win over the Spartans. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]

 Washburn Rural junior Kellan Roth is congratulated by junior teammate Sammy Brumley (58) after scoring his second TD in Friday's 53-8 win over Emporia. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]

WASHBURN RURAL 53, EMPORIA 8 --Washburn Rural picked up its second straight Centennial League victory while evening its overall mark at 3-3 with a 53-8 romp past winless Emporia Friday night at Bowen-Glaze Stadium.

The Junior Blues' defense turned in a dominating performance, including a pair of safeties while junior John Hoytal hooked up with junior Kellan Roth for a pair of touchdown passes and junior TD Minikwu ran for a pair of TDs.

Washburn Rural opened up a 14-0 first-quarter lead and led 32-0 at halftime.

Emporia fell to 0-5 overall and 0-3 in the Centennial League.

Washburn Rural will be back at home next Friday for a league game against Junction City.

JUNCTION CITY 50, TOPEKA HIGH 21 -- Junction City snapped a four-game losing streak and picked up its first Centennial League victory Friday night with a 50-21 home win over Topeka High.

Junction City improved to 2-4 overall and 1-1 in the league while handing Topeka High its second straight loss.

The Trojans are 4-2 overall and 1-2 in the league entering Friday night's home Centennial League matchup with Manhattan.

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

(All kickoffs at 7 p.m.)

FRIDAY'S GAMES

Seaman senior Bryer Finley had three touchdown receptions in last Friday's 43-22 UKC win over Lansing. [Photo by Jesse Bruner/Special to TSN]

SEAMAN (4-1, 4-0 UKC) at SHAWNEE HEIGHTS (1-4, 1-3 UKC)

Seaman is coming off a 43-22 United Kansas Conference victory over Lansing last Friday while Shawnee Heights dropped a 69-57 UKC scorefest to De Soto. Seaman senior quarterback Max Huston has completed 62 of 104 passes for 1,155 yards and 15 touchdowns while senior receiver Bryer Finley has 33 receptions for 680 yards and 11 TDs. Viking junior Kaden McKinney has carried the ball 64 times for 357 yards and scored eight TDs. Shawnee Heights junior quarterback Aiden Scott has completed 110 of 188 passes for 1,752 yards and 16 TDs. Junior AJ Gallegos has 35 catches for 520 yards and six touchdowns while junior Tyren Parker has 28 catches for 513 yards and five TDs. T-Bird junior David Wakes has 452 rushing yards on 91 attempts with three TDs.  

Junior TJ Minikwu rushed for 149 yards and scored three touchdowns in Washburn Rural's 49-21 Centennial League win over Topeka High last Friday. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

EMPORIA (0-5, 0-2 Centennial) at WASHBURN RURAL (2-3, 1-0 Centennial)

Washburn Rural snapped a three-game non-league losing streak with a 49-21 win over Topeka High last Friday in the Junior Blues' Centennial League opener. Junior TD Minikwu carried the ball 24 times for 149 yards and three touchdowns against Topeka High while sophomore Jadyn Baum added 70 yards and a touchdown on 14 attempts. Emporia is still looking for its first win of the season after taking a 59-0 league loss to Manhattan last week. The Spartans have been outscored 249-67 on the season.

KC-TURNER (0-5, 0-4 UKC) vs. TOPEKA WEST (0-5, 0-5 UKC)

At Hummer Sports Park

Either the Chargers or the visiting Bears will pick up a much-needed victory in Friday's United Kansas Conference matchup. Topeka West is coming off a 59-6 UKC loss to undefeated Basehor-Linwood last week while Turner remained winless with a 34-6 loss to KIPP Legacy. Topeka West's lone win the past two seasons has come against Turner. The Chargers scored their lone touchdown against Basehor-Linwood last week on a 79-yard pass play from Jacob Brewster to Alesecio Batson.

Hayden senior quarterback Jett Wahlmeier has passed for 684 yards and eight TDs for the 4-1 Wildcats. [File photo/TSN]

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

Hayden will be on the road to face Holton in a battle between teams who are unbeaten in Class 3A District 4. Hayden is coming off a 49-0 district win over Hiawatha while Holton took a 48-9 win over Jefferson West. Hayden junior Kade Mitchell has carried the ball 41 times for 432 yards and scored 14 total touchdowns while senior quarterback Jett Wahlmeier has completed 47 of 66 passes for 684 yards and eight touchdowns. Senior Jensen Schrickel has 13 catches for 220 yards and has scored five TDs. Holton senior Kyler Jackson has 406 yards and five touchdowns on 76 carries while senior Bodie Dillon has carried the ball 32 times for 253 yards and five TDs and junior Korban Wilson has 255 yards and five TDs on 47 attempts.

 By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

After picking up a forfeit victory a week earlier, Rossville posted its second straight Class 1A District 2 win, and first on-field triumph, on Friday night, with the Bulldawgs rolling to a 43-0 decision over Mission Valley.

Rossville senior quarterback Tayson Horak helped lead the Bulldawgs to a 43-0 district win over Mission Valley Friday night. [File photo/TSN]

The Bulldawgs scored the only points they would need on a 1-yard Andre Johnson run (Vincent Daniel kick) at the 6:48 mark of the opening quarter and Rossville made it a 14-0 game with 2:10 left in the quarter on a 4-yard pass from Tayson Horak to Conner Bush (Daniel kick).

Rossville doubled up its lead with a pair of second-quarter TDs -- a 19-yard pass from Horak to Kameron Badura (Bush 2-point conversion run) 25 seconds into the quarter and a 1-yard Horak run (Daniel kick) with 8:35 left before halftime.

The Bulldawgs scored their final two touchowns of the night in the third quarter -- a 74-yard Bush run (Daniel kick) at the 10:36 mark and a 30-yard interception return from Bush with 8:30 left in the quarter (Daniel kick).

Rossville will be at home next Friday night to face Cair Paravel Latin in a district matchup.

Senior quarterback Dysen Schooler and the Silver Lake Eagles improved to 4-1 with Friday's 50-0 win over Baldwin. [File photo/TSN]

SILVER LAKE 50, BALDWIN 0 --Silver Lake posted its third straight win to improve to 4-1 on the season, rolling to a 50-0 non-league win over winless Baldwin.

The Eagles will return to Class 2A District 2 play next Friday, hosting Riley County.

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

(All kickoffs at 7 p.m.)

THURSDAY NIGHT'S GAME

BASEHOR-LINWOOD (4-0, 4-0 UKC) vs. TOPEKA WEST (0-4, 0-4 UKC)

At Hummer Sports Park

Still looking for its first win of the 2024 season, Topeka West faces another tough United Kansas Conference test Thursday night, with league-leading Basehor-Linwood visiting Hummer Sports Park to face the Chargers. Topeka West is coming off a 63-0 UKC loss to Lansing while Basehor-Linwood took a 21-7 league win over De Soto. Bobcat junior quarterback Carson Dixon has completed 37 of 74 passes for 496 yards and seven touchdowns while senior Nick Doering has carried the ball 76 times for 425 yards and seven TDs.

FRIDAY NIGHT'S GAMES

Topeka High senior Tevante Ewing rushed for 169 yards in last Friday's 47-14 Centennial League win over Emporia. [File photo/TSN]

WASHBURN RURAL (1-3, 0-0 Centennial) vs. TOPEKA HIGH (4-0, 1-0 Centennial)

At Hummer Sports Park

Topeka High will be looking to extend its winning streak to five games while Washburn Rural, a Class 6A semifinalist last season, will be aiming to snap a three-game non-league losing streak to teams that are a combined 12-1 on the season. Washburn Rural, coming off a 49-23 loss to undefeated Blue Valley Northwest, will be playing its Centennial League opener Friday night while Topeka High opened league play last week with a 47-14 road win over Emporia. Topeka High senior Tevante Ewing rushed for 169 yards on 13 attempts while junior Zane Smith completed five of eight passes for 191 yards and Savon Carter caught two passes for 144 yards. Washburn Rural junior quarterback John Hoytal completed 23 of 32 throws for 235 yards against Northwest while junior receiver Kellan Roth hauled in 11 of Hoytal’s throws for 99 yards and a score. Sophomore Jadyn Baum exploded for an 80-yard touchdown run and junior TJ Minikwu blasted in from 10 yards out for another score.

Hayden junior Kade Mitchell (25) has rushed for 296 yards and scored six touchdowns this fall. [File photo/TSN]

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

Hayden, the Class 3A runnerup a year ago, is coming off a 31-28 non-league loss at Wamego last Friday while Hiawatha opened Class 3A District 4 play with a 21-0 win over Jefferson West. Hayden will open district competition Friday night. Wildcat senior quarterback  Jett Wahlmeier has completed 41 of 57 pass attempts for 619 yards and seven touchdowns while junior running back Kade Mitchell has carried the ball 33 times for 296 yards and six touchdowns. Senior Jensen Schrickel has caught 13 passes for 220 yards and scored five touchdowns.

Seaman senior quarterback Max Huston has passed for 806 yards and 12 touchdowns this fall for the 3-1 Vikings. [File photo/TSN]

LANSING (3-1, 3-0 UKC) at SEAMAN (3-1, 3-0 UKC)

Friday's game will match up United Kansas Conference co-leaders Lansing and Seaman, who are both a perfect 3-0 in league play. Seaman is coming off a 49-0 win over Kansas City-Turner while Lansing rolled to a 62-0 win over Topeka West. Seaman senior quarterback Max Huston has completed 47 of 85 passes for 806 yards and 12 touchdowns while junior Kaden McKinney has carried the ball 40 times for 235 yards and five TDs while senior Bryer Finley has caught 21 passes for 382 yards and eight TDs. Lansing senior Reid Oakley has completed 46 of 93 passes for 798 yards while sophomore Jaxon Pollard has carried the ball 61 times for 379 yards and five TDs.

WABAUNSEE (1-3, 0-1 Class 1A District 2) vs. CAIR PARAVEL LATIN (1-3, 0-1 Class 1A District 2)

At Yager Stadium

Cair Paravel will be looking to snap a three-game losing streak after opening Class 1A District 2 play last Friday with a 46-22 loss to Mission Valley. Wabaunsee is also 1-3 and 0-1 in the district after a 14-7 loss to Olpe last week. Cair Paravel will be playing its second home game of the season at Washburn University's Yager Stadium. Top players for the Lions include senior quarterback Jase Pavlik and senior running back Ben Roeder.

 By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Topeka High improved to a perfect 4-0 on the season Friday night, riding a 27-point second quarter to a 47-14 road victory at Emporia's Welch Stadium in the Trojans' Centennial League opener.

Topeka High junior quarterback Zane Smith had a big game Friday night as the Trojans improved to 4-0 with a 47-14 Centennial League road win over Emporia. [File photo/TSN]

After a scoreless first quarter, Topeka High got on the scoreboard just 43 seconds into the second period on a 25-yard run from Courtney Sanders (Jayden Norman kick).

The Trojans added to their advantage just over two minutes later when Zane Smith connected with Saron Carter for a 78-yard touchdown strike and Smith scored on a 9-yard run midway through the quarter (Norman kick) to put High in front 20-0 and Norman ended the second-quarter onslaugt with a 24-yard TD strike from Smith just 1:08 before halftime (Norman kick).

Carter scored on a 29-yard run early in the second half and Robert Dingle tacked on an 11-yard TD run midway through the third quarter (Norman kick) before Tevante Ewing ended the Trojans' scoring midway through the final stanza (Norman kick).

Emporia scored both of its touchdowns in the final quarter, including the Spartans' final TD with just 1:20 remaining.

Ewing rushed for 169 yards on 13 attempts while Smith completed five of eight passes for 191 yards and Carter caught two passes for 144 yards.

Topeka High will host city and Centennial League rival Washburn Rural next Friday at Hummer Sports Park.

TOPEKA HIGH 47, EMPORIA 14

Topeka High (4-0, 1-0) 0 27 13 7 -- 47

Emporia (0-4, 0-1)        0 0 0 14 -- 14

Topeka High -- Sanders 25 run (Norman kick)

Topeka High -- Carter 78 pass from Smith (conversion failed)

Topeka High -- Smith 9 run (Norman kick)

Topeka High -- Norman 24 pass from Smith (Norman kick)

Topeka High -- Carter 29 run (conversion failed)

Topeka High -- Dingle 11 run (Norman kick)

Emporia -- Crowell 1 run (B’Hymer kick) 

Topeka High -- Ewing 1 run (Norman kick)

Emporia -- Crowell 1 run (B’Hymer kick) 

Individual statistics

Rushing -- Topeka High: Ewing 13-169, Smith 2-22, Sanders 2-23, Carter 1-29, Dingle 1-11. Emporia -- Crowell 20-61, Gray 8-13, Telfer 5-15, LeBlanc 1-(minus)-3).

Passing -- Topeka High: Smith 5-8-1, 191 yards. Emporia: Gray 7-14-0, 69; Seidl 2-3-0, 40. 

Receiving -- Topeka High: Carter 2-144, Ewing 2-23, Norman 1-24.  Emporia -- Crowell 1-4, Arndt 3-32, Seidl 1-9, Kirk 2-2, Gardner 1-48, Franklin 1-14.

WAMEGO 31, HAYDEN 28 -- Brody Graber kicked a game-winning 27-yard field goal to cap Wamego's comeback in a 31-28 win over Hayden in a non-league game at Wamego.

Hayden, which fell to 3-1, led 7-0 after a 16-yard pass from Jett Wahlmeier to Jensen Schrickel (Mason Becker kick) and the Wildcats led 14-7 after Conner Hanika found Schrickel for a 50-yard score on a double pass (Becker kick).

Hayden led 14-7 at the half but Wamego (3-1) opened the second half with a 99-yard kickoff return from Jackson Supps. 

Hayden broke the tie on a 7-yard TD run from Jackson McGivern (Becker kick) and after a Wildcat interception, Wahlmeier found Kade Mitchell for a 40-yard TD (Becker kick) to put Hayden in front by a 28-14 margin.

The fourth quarter started with Hayden still in front 28-14 but Wamego got a big spark on a 3rd and long play when sophomore quarterback Logan Fulton picked up an errant snap in the end zone and found Tate Warren down the sideline for a 21-yard first down.

Wamego then marched down the field for a 7-yard Warren TD to get within seven points and then the Red Raiders tied the game at 28 on a 12-yard Warren TD with 4:59 remaining after Wamego recovered a Hayden fumble.

After getting the ball back Wamego took the lead on Graber's field goal. Hayden completed two passes on its final drive before running out of time.

Unofficially, Wahlmeier passed for 156 yards and a touchdown while Mitchell rushed for 53 yards on 10 attempts and Schrickel caught four passes for 93 yards and two TDs.

Wamego's Warren carried the ball 28 times for 148 yards and Fulton passed for 232 yards.

Hayden will host Hiawatha next Friday.

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

(All kickoffs at 7 p.m.)

FRIDAY NIGHT'S GAMES

Washburn Rural junior quarterback John Hoytal and the Junior Blues will try to snap a two-game losing streak in Friday's non-league home game against Blue Valley Northwest. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]

BLUE VALLEY NORTHWEST (3-0) at WASHBURN RURAL (1-2)

Washburn Rural, which has dropped two straight road games, faces another tough non-league test Friday night against undefeated Blye Valley Northwest. The Junior Blues are coming off a 49-20 loss at Platte County, Mo. while the Huskies took a 27-24 decision over St. James Academy. Northwest senior quarterbacks Ford Bevins and Nathan Baxter have combined to go 25 of 38 passing for 428 yards and six touchdowns while junior L.J. Bowen has carried the ball 53 times for 329 yards and two TDs. Senior Trevor Garlington has 11 pass receptions for 257 yards and two TDs. Washburn Rural got defensive touchdowns from juniors Jordy Heim and Elijah Gaines against Platte County and a 76-yard TD pass from junior John Hoytal to senior Blake Recinos, but the Junior Blues couldn't keep pace with the undefeated Pirates.

Senior Jamon Wilson has helped lead Highland Park to a perfect 3-0 record to open the 2024 season. [File photo/TSN]

KC-HARMON (1-2, 0-2 Meadowlark) vs. HIGHLAND PARK (3-0, 3-0 Meadowlark)

At Hummer Sports Park

Two streaks will be on the line for Highland Park in Friday's Meadowlark Conference game against Harmon. The Scots will be looking for their fourth straight win while also trying to extend their shutout streak after outscoring their first three conference opponents by a 126-0 margin. Highland Park is coming off a 32-0 win over KC-Schlagle while Harmon dropped a 45-0 decision to KC-Washington last Friday. Harmon senior quarterback Mikey Hammer has completed 13 of 39 passes for 203 yards and a touchdown while sophomore Adrian Fernandez has carred the ball 25 times for 167 yards and two TDs. Highland Park junior quarterback Dontrail Fox has completed 17 of 38 passes for 276 yards and five TDs while senior Jamon Wilson has carried the ball 22 times for 275 yards and compiled 605 all-purpose yards and scored seven total TDs. Sophomore G'Honi Montgomery has 247 rushing yards and a TD on 35 attempts.

Topeka High junior quarterback Zane Smith has helped the Trojans get off to a 3-0 start this fall. [File photo/TSN]

TOPEKA HIGH (3-0, 0-0 Centennial) at EMPORIA (0-3, 0-0 Centennial)

At Welch Stadium

Topeka High and Emporia will open Centennial League play Friday night. Topeka High improved to a perfect 3-0 on the season in last Friday's weather-shortened 26-0 non-league road win over Wichita Southeast, the Trojans' third straight win over members of the Wichita City League. Topeka High led 13-0 when the game was delayed for approximately an hour due to lightning and added to its advantage with a 45-yard TD pass from junior Zane Smith to senior Saron Carter and led 26-0 at the half when the game was called due to the inclement weather. Carter led the Trojans' attack with three TDs on the night. Emporia is coming off a 30-20 non-league loss to Coffeyville and the Spartans have been outscored 126-45 on the year. Topeka High has outscored its first three foes by a 105-33 margin.

Shawnee Heights junior David Wakes has rushed for 275 yards and two touchdowns this fall. [Photo by Kyle Manthe/Special to TSN]

LEAVENWORTH (1-2, 1-2 UKC) at Shawnee Heights (1-2, 1-1 UKC)

Shawnee Heights is coming off a tough 42-35 home United Kansas Conference loss to Basehor-Linwood last Friday while Leavenworth picked up its first win of the season, a 51-6 UKC romp past KC-Turner. Shawnee Heights junior quarterback Aiden Scott has completed 61 of 105 passes for 918 yards and eight touchdowns while junior AJ Gallegos has caught 20 passes for 249 yards and three TDs and Tyren Parker has 15 catches for 265 yards and three TDs. Junior David Wakes has 275 rushing yards and two TDs on 52 carries while junior Royce Daniels leads the Shawnee Heights defense with 36 tackles, including 17 solo stops. 

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Hayden moves back to Class 4A for the 2024-2025 school year in all sports except football in the latest classifications released by the Kansas State High school Activities Association on Thursday while Rossville will move down to 2A.

Hayden is back in its accustomed spot in 4A after a brief stint in 3A while longtime 3A school Rossville moves down to 2A in all sports except football. Hayden is a 3A school in football while Rossville is in its first season in 1A on the gridiron.

Hayden, with 333 students is the third smallest 4A school in the state while Rossville is the fourth largest 2A school with 170 students.

The other eight Shawnee County high schools remained in the same classifications -- Washburn Rural and Topeka High in 6A, Seaman, Shawnee Heights, Topeka West and Highland Park in 5A, Silver Lake in 3A and Cair Paravel Latin in 2A.

KSHSAA 2024-2025 CLASSIFICATIONS 

 By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Highland Park pushed its consecutive game shutout streak to three games on Friday, with the Scots improving to 3-0 overall and in the Meadowlark Conference with a 32-0 road win over Kansas City-Schlagle. 

Highland Park senior Jamon Wilson scored two touchdowns, including an 80-yard kickoff return, in the Scots' 32-0 win over KC-Schlagle Friday night. [File photo/TSN]

Highland Park has now outscored its three Meadowlark Conference opponents by a 126-0 margin, with Friday's game its closest outcome of the season.

Scot senior Jamon Wilson continued his red hot start to the 2024 season with a pair of touchdowns, including an 80-yard kickoff return to open the second half.

Highland Park will be back at Hummer Sports Park on Friday for a Meadowlark Conference game against KC-Harmon, which is 1-2 on the season.

Topeka High junior quarterback Zane Smith helped the Trojans improve to 3-0 with a 26-0 win over Wichita Southeast Friday night. [File photo/TSN]

TOPEKA HIGH 26, WICHITA SOUTHEAST 0 -- Topeka High improved to a perfect 3-0 on the season with Friday's weather-shortened 26-0 non-league road win over Wichita Southeast.

The Trojans have now posted three straight wins over members of the Wichita City League.

Topeka High led 13-0 when the game was delayed for approximately an hour due to lightning.

High then added to its advantage with a 45-yard TD pass from Zane Smith to Saron Carter and led 26-0 at the half when the game was called due to the inclement weather conditions in the area.

Carter led the Trojans' attack with three TDs on the night.

Topeka High will open Centennial League play next Friday at Emporia's Welch Stadium. 

Junior Dayne Johnson caught a pair of touchdown passes in Friday's 18-12 win over Perry-Lecompton. [File photo/TSN]

SILVER LAKE 18, PERRY-LECOMPTON 12 --Silver Lake bounced back from its loss to two-time defending Class 2A state champion Nemaha Central with Friday's 18-12 road win over Perry-Lecompton.

Junior Dayne Johnson had a big night for the 2-1 Eagles, catching a pair of touchdown passes from senior quarterback Dysen Schooler.

Silver Lake held a 7-6 lead at the half and led 15-12 at the start of the fourth quarter before adding a field goal in the fourth quarter.

The Eagles will be back on the road Friday to face Big East League foe St. Marys.

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

(All kickoffs at 7 p.m.)

FRIDAY NIGHT'S GAMES

Seaman senior quarterback Max Huston has passed for 261 yards and three touchdowns this fall for the 1-1 Vikings. [File photo/TSN]

TOPEKA WEST (0-2, 0-2) at SEAMAN (1-1, 1-0)

Topeka West is coming off a 53-8 home United Kansas Conference loss to Shawnee Heights while Seaman dropped a 35-7 non-league decision to Shawnee Mission East last Friday. Seaman senior quarterback Max Huston has completed 23 of 48 passes for 261 yards and three touchdowns while senior Bryer Finley has caught 10 passes for 51 yards and a touchdown and junior Kaden McKinney has caught five passes for 115 yards and a TD. McKinney leads the Vikings with 122 rushing yards and two TDs on 27 attemps. Topeka West senior Alesecio Batson scored the Chargers' lone touchdown against Shawnee Heights on a 20-yard reception from freshman Josiah Wilke while senior Treyvion Barr added a 2-point conversion.

Cair Paravel senior quarterback Jase Pavlik passed for 226 yards and two touchdowns in last Friday's 54-20 loss to Osage City. [File photo/TSN]

COUNCIL GROVE (2-0, 2-0) vs. CAIR PARAVEL LATIN (1-1, 1-1)

At Yager Stadium

Cair Paravel will play its first home game at Washburn University's Yager Stadium, with the Lions facing Council Grove in a Flint Hills League contest. Cair Paravel is coming off a 54-20 league loss to Osage City while Council Grove improved to 2-0 with a 50-13 league win over Mission Valley. Lion senior quarterback Jase Pavlik passed for 226 yards and two touchdowns last Friday while senior Ben Roeder had 13 catches for 165 yards and two TDs and junior Tobias Bonura carried the ball 13 times for 74 yards and caught six passes for 55 yards. Council Grove sophomore quarterback Luke Stewart has completed 28 of 38 passes for 419 yards and three TDs while senior Ace Monihen has rushed or 208 yards and seven TDs and senior Landon Dody has nine catches for 236 yards and a TD.

Hayden junior Kade Mitchell rushed for more than 100 yards and also scored on a 90-yard kickoff return in last Friday's 42-14 win over St. Michael The Archangel. [Photo by Kyle Manthe/Special to TSN]

KC-WARD (0-2) at HAYDEN (2-0)

After finishing second in Class 3A last season, Bill Arnold's Wildcats are off and running again this fall, improving to 2-0 with a 42-14 win over St. Michael The Archangel (Lee's Summit, Mo.) last Friday. Junior Kade Mitchell rushed for more than 100 yards in the Hayden while also returning a kickoff 90 yards for a touchdowns. Senior quarterback Jett Wahlmeier threw for three touchdowns against the Guardians.

Shawnee Heights junior Tyren Parker has caught 11 passes for 185 yards and two TDs for the 1-1 T-Birds. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

BASEHOR-LINWOOD (2-0, 2-0) at SHAWNEE HEIGHTS (1-1, 1-0)

Shawnee Heights opened United Kansas Conference play with a 53-8 road win over Topeka West last Friday while Basehor-Linwood improved to 2-0 with a 48-14 win over Piper. T-Bird junior quarterback Aiden Scott completed 16 of 26 passes for 333 yards and three touchdowns against West and has passed for 655 yards and five TDs on a 40 of 66 performance in two games. Junior David Wakes has carried the ball 32 times for 176 yards and two TDs while junior Tyren Parker has caught 11 passes for 185 yards and two TDs. Basehor-Linwood junior quarterback Carson Dixon has completed 23 of 41 passes for 215 yards and three TDs while senior Nick Doering has 183 rushing yards and five TDs on 29 carries and junior Noah Morrison has 10 receptions for 94 yards and two TDs.

Jamon Wilson has helped lead Highland Park to a 2-0 start this all, with the Scots outscoring their two opponents by a 94-0 margin. [File photo/TSN]

HIGHLAND PARK (2-0, 2-0) at KC-SCHLAGLE (1-1, 1-0)

Highland Park has outscored its two Meadowlark Conference opponents by a 94-0 margin, including a 42-0 win over Kansas City-Sumner Academy last Friday. KC-Schlaglee picked up its first win in a 48-0 win over KC-Wyandotte. Scot junior quarterback Dontrail Fox went 9 of 16 in the passing game for 112 yards and three touchdowns while Highland Park rushed for 231 yards on 37 attempts as sophomore G'honi Montgomery picked up 78 yards on 15 attemps and senior Jamon Wilson gaining 75 yards on nine carries. Wilson caught seven passes for 76 yards and also returned a punt return for a 59-yard touchdown, one of three punt-return TDs for the Scots. Highland Park also got an 80-yard punt return from senior CJ Brown and a 23-yard score from junior Genesis Cooper. Senior Ricky Crawford led the Highland Park with nine tackles, including five solo stops.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Longtime Silver Lake volleyball coach Sarah Johnson doesn't sit around counting victories.

Silver Lake volleyball coach Sarah Johnson watches her Eagles during last Thursday's quadrangular at Seaman. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

If she did, Johnson probably wouldn't consistently put together one of the state's toughest schedules for her Class 3A Eagles.

"I talk to the girls about that,'' Johnson said. "We've got to get uncomfortable so we're comfortable in uncomfortable situations in game time.''

Throughout her tenure at Silver Lake, the only head coaching job she's ever held, Johnson has loaded up with Class 6A, 5A and 4A opponents, figuring those tests will help get the Eagles ready for crunch time. 

"I love playing these high caliber girls and great coaches and schools,'' Johnson said after Silver Lake faced reigning 5A state champion Seaman, former 6A champ Manhattan and former 5A champ Shawnee Heights last Thursday at Seaman.

"It gets us in those crummy situations and we've got to figure it out early in the season so we know how to handle it come sub-state, state time.'' 

It's an approach that's made Johnson one of the state's most successful coaches and the Eagles one of the state's most successful programs over her 17-year tenure.

Despite the perennially challenging schedule, Johnson surpassed the 500-win career milestone with last Tuesday night’s home Big East League sweep of Jefferson West and Hiawatha while Silver Lake has won 3A championships in 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2018 during her tenure while making nine state appearances.

And being ready for postseason has always been more of priority for Johnson than having a glossy regular-season record.

"I feel like we're shifting with KSHSAA with how we're setting up postseason,'' Johnson said. "We're changing things this year. We're taking baby steps to hopefully get to a better postseason format but until then give me all the losses you can. I don't care because it's going to make us a better team and we're going to be able to finish strong at the end of the season.''

 By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Highland Park improved to 2-0 overall and in the Meadowlark Conference with a 42-0 road rout over Kansas City-Sumner Friday night.

Scot junior quarterback Dontrail Fox went 9 of 16 in the passing game for 112 yards and three touchdowns while Highland Park rushed for 231 yards on 37 attempts as sophomore G'honi Montgomery picked up 78 yards on 15 attemps and senior Jamon Wilson gaining 75 yards on nine carries.

Highland Park senior Jamon Wilson had 151 rushing and receiving yards and returned a punt 59 yards for a TD in the Scots' 42-0 win over KC-Sumner. [File photo/TSN]

Wilson caught seven passes for 76 yards and also returned a punt return for a 59-yard touchdown, one of three punt-return TDs for the Scots.

Highland Park also got an 80-yard punt return from senior CJ Brown and a 23-yard score from junior Genesis Cooper.

Senior Ricky Crawford led the Highland Park with nine tackles, including five solo stops.

Highland Park will be back on the road next Friday against Meadowlark Conference foe KC-Schlagle.

SHAWNEE MISSION EAST 35, SEAMAN 7 --Seaman (1-1) and Shawnee Mission East (1-1) were tied at 7-7 before the Lancers took control of the non-league contest with the final 28 points of the night.

Seaman scored its lone touchdown on a touchdown pass from quarterback Max Huston to Kaden McKinney.

The Vikings will play their home opener next Friday, hosting Topeka West in a United Kansas Conference contest.

By RICK PETERSON                                                                                                           

TopSports.news

Silver Lake junior football standout Dayne Johnson and Seaman sophomore girls tennis standout Emma Sweeney have been selected by the Dan Key Farmers Insurance Agency as the Rising Stars of the Week.

The Dan Key Agency will recognize top Shawnee County underclassmen throughout the bulk of the 2024-2025 school year.

Here’s a brief look at the accomplishments of Johnson and Sweeney over the past week:

Silver Lake junior Dayne Johnson has been named the Dan Key Farmers Insurance Agency male Rising Star of the Week after helping lead the Eagles to a 33-26 season-opening overtime win over Rossville. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

DAYNE JOHNSON, Silver Lake

Johnson, a 6-foot-3, 175-pound wide receiver/safety, helped lead Silver Lake to a 33-26 overtime victory over rival Rossville in last Friday's season-opener.

Johnson caught 11 passes for 149 yards and two touchdowns in the Eagles' win, catching 5 and 56-yard TD passes from Silver Lake senior quarterback Dysen Schooler.

As a sophomore Johnson earned first-team All-Mid-East League recognition and received All-Shawnee County honorable mention.

EMMA SWEENEY, Seaman

Sweeney opened her sophomore tennis season with the No. 1 singles championship in last Wednesday's Seaman Invitational. 

Sweeney went 3-0 on the day, posting back-to-back 8-0 wins before taking an 8-3 win over Topeka High standout Madeline Deters to win the title.

Sweeney finished her freshman season with an 11th-place state finish in singles in the Class 5A state tournament after finishing second in the United Kansas Conference and 5A regional tournaments and third in the city meet in No. 1 singles. 

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Seaman volleyball got through a tough early-season stretch without senior star Maegan Mills and is now back at full strength and beginning to flash the form that produced the first Class 5A state championship in school history last fall.

Mills, the reigning Topeka Shawnee County Player of the Year and a 5A All-Stater, missed the Vikings' first three matches after suffering a minor knee injury in Seaman's jamboree, but Seaman went a respectable 2-1 during that stretch and has not lost since, improving to 6-1 with a sweep of Thursday's home quadrangular.

Seaman celebrates a point in Thursday's volleyball quadrangular sweep on the Vikings' home court. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Seaman, ranked third in 5A by the Kansas Volleyball Association, opened its night with a 25-19, 25-14 win over Manhattan, followed by a 25-14, 25-21 decision over Silver Lake and a 25-14, 25-17 win over Shawnee Heights.

"You never complain when you go 3-0 against some pretty decent teams,'' Seaman coach Tatiana Dowling said. "I think that we definitely have our stuff that we've got to work on -- defensively, connecting with our hitters, speeding up our offense -- but I'm happy with how they stayed calm, cool and collected no matter what the situation is.

"I think that their experience really shows in those situations. They don't seem rattled.''

Seaman senior Maegan Mills spikes the ball in Thursday's quadrangular sweep at Seaman. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

Mills, who has orally committed to Tulsa, also gave her team passing grades for its performance thus far, but is expecting more as the season moves on. 

"I think we're doing pretty good,'' said Mills, who has committed to Tulsa. "I would say we definitely have a lot of ways to improve. We've worked on blocking a lot, but I think today we blocked pretty well. Our defense has been struggling a bit but we've just been doing a lot of defensive work in practice and we just need to work on coming out strong.

"The first couple of games we kind of came out kind of weak in a sense and we've just been focusing on coming out strong. We have our areas where we need to improve, but it's been a really good season so far.''

Mills said Seaman realizes that teams will be shooting for the Vikings as the defending state champion, but she said her team is up to the challenge. 

"I would say we know there's pressure, but I don't think we feel it,'' Mills said. "We just know that everyone's going to come in guns blazing and they're not going to lay off so, we have to come out stronger and just really focus on our side and keep our errors down and that just comes from being a mentally strong team.'' 

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Brody Anderson

BRODY ANDERSON, Seaman

A junior cross country star, Anderson opened his 2024 season with the boys individual championship in Saturday's Manhattan Invitational at Warner Park. Anderson, a returning Class 5A state qualifier, posted a winning five-kilometer time of 15 minutes, 35.77 seconds, taking the victory by 28 seconds. 

Tevante Ewing 

TEVANTE EWING, Topeka High

Ewing, a senior running back, scored three touchdwns in Topeka High's 52-19 season-opening non-league road victory over Wichita West on Friday. Ewing scored the Trojans' first touchdown on a 70-yard pass from Zane Smith and also scored on a pair of runs as Topeka High rolled to a win in Jason Filbeck's debut as High's coach.  

John Hoytal

JOHN HOYTAL, Washburn Rural

A junior quarterback, Hoytal made his first career start in Friday's 42-21 non-league home win over Shawnee Heights. Hoytal completed 14 of 21 passes for 234 yards and four touchdowns while also rushing for 47 yards on 10 carries. Hoytal completed TDs of 2, 42 and 7 yards to Kellan Roth and16 yards to Brody Schwinn.