By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Hayden, which advanced to the Class 3A state championship game for the third straight season, and 1A finalist Rossville combined for nine of Top 22 spots on TopSports.news' 2025 All-Shawnee County football team while the Wildcats and Bulldawgs swept offensive and defensive player of the year honors.
Kade Mitchell, Hayden
Canann Mitchell, Rossville
Jude Krentz, Hayden
Hayden senior all-purpose standout Kade Mitchell and Rossville senior quarterback Canann Mitchell were named the co-offensive players of the year for 2025 while Hayden senior Jude Krentz was named the defensive player of the year.
Kade Mitchell carried the ball 106 times for 1,003 yards, caught 23 passes for 471 yards and scored 22 total touchdowns while Canann Mitchell rushed for 1,162 yards and 21 touchdowns on 167 carries and completed 123 of 184 passes for 1,771 yards and 19 touchdowns.
Krentz led the Hayden defense with 120 tackles (61 solo) while recording six tackles for loss and picking off two passes.
Hayden's Bill Arnold and Rossville's Derick Hammes were named the co-coaches of the year while Rossville junior lineman Charlie Chance was tapped as the defensive newcomer of the year and Silver Lake freshman quarterback Kipton Kruger was named the offensive newcomer of the year.
Chance was in on 54 tackles with 14 tackles for loss and three sacks while Kruger completed 178 of 252 passes for 2,158 yards and 16 touchdowns.
Kade Mitchell and Krentz are Top 22 repeat selections, along with Seaman senior Cameron Brian, Rossville senior Conner Bush, Silver Lake senior Dayne Johnson and Shawnee Heights senior Aiden Scott.
Hayden, which posted a 12-1 record this fall, is also represented on the Top 22 by seniors Xander Blasing, Connor Hanika and Julian McGivern and junior Mason Becker while Rossville senior Andre Johnson joins Bush and Canann Mitchell on the Top 22 after the Bulldawgs posted an 11-2 record, with both losses coming against state champions.
Washburn Rural, which posted a 6-4 record, is represented on the Top 22 by seniors Jayden Cooper, Brody Haas and John Hoytal and junior Jadyn Baum.
Senior Noah Kobuszewski joins Brian on the first team for Seaman while senior Jayden Waterer joins Dayne Johnson on the Top 22 for Silver Lake and senior AJ Gallegos joins Scott on the first team for Shawnee Heights.
Meadowlark Conference champion Highland Park put senior Tremaine Savage and junior G'Honi Montgomery on the Top 22 while Topeka High is represented by multi-time All-Centennial League selection Malachi Murph
All 10 Shawnee County high schools have representatives on either the Top 22, Second 22 or honorable mention list. Five county teams posted six or more wins this fall and four teams posted at least one win in the playoffs.
TopSports.news selected the 2025 All-Shawnee County team after receiving input from county head coaches.
All-Shawnee County Top 22 capsules:
Jadyn Baum, Washburn Rural
JADYN BAUM, Washburn Rural
A 5-foot-11, 215-pound junior running back, Baum helped lead Washburn Rural to a 6-4 record and the second round of the Class 6A state playoffs, earning All-Centennial League first-team recognition after carrying the ball 139 times for 1,262 yards and 10 touchdowns while averaging 9.1 yards per attempt.
Mason Becker, Hayden
MASON BECKER, Hayden
Becker, a 6-foot, 160-pound junior, was one of the state's premier place-kickers this fall while also turning in a big year offensively, defensively and as a returner. Becker was a perfect 100 percent on extra-point kicks, was two of two on field goals, carried the ball 32 times for 438 yards, caught 13 passes for 224 yards, had nine kickoff returns for 121 yards, scored nine touchdowns and was in on 30 tackles with five pass interceptions.
Xander Blasing, Hayden
XANDER BLASING, Hayden
A 6-foot-2, 220-pound senior tight end/linebacker, Blasing had 30 receptions for 381 yards and five touchdowns while recording 95 tackles on defense (68 solo) with nine tackles for loss, six forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and three pass interceptions. Blasing moves up to the All-Shawnee County Top 22 this season after being a Second 22 selection as a junior.
Cameron Brian, Seaman
CAMERON BRIAN, Seaman
A 6-foot-1, 195-pound senior linebacker, Brian is one of six All-Shawnee County Top 22 repeat picks and received All-United Kansas Conference first-team honors for the second straight season. Brian was in on 111 total tackles this fall with eight tackles for loss, three sacks, one pass interception, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
Conner Bush, Rossville
CONNER BUSH, Rossville
A 6-foot, 181-pound senior running back/defensive back, Bush is an All-Shawnee County Top 22 repeat selection after helping lead the Bulldawgs to the Class 1A state championship game and an 11-2 record. Bush carried the ball 81 times for 717 yards and 12 touchdowns on offense and was in on 114 total tackles, with two pass interceptions, two tackles for loss and 10 passes broken up. Bush received All-Big East first-team honors on defense.
JAYDEN COOPER, Washburn Rural
Cooper, a 6-foot-2, 285-pound senior offensive tackle, helped Washburn Rural post a 6-4 record on the season while earning first-team All-Centennial League recognition in addition to earning his first All-Shawnee County Top 22 honor.
AJ Gallegos, Shawnee Heights
AJ GALLEGOS, Shawnee Heights
Gallegos, a 5-foot-10, 160-pound senior, moves up to the All-Shawnee County Top 22 this season after earning Second 22 recognition as a junior, A two-way starter for the 4-5 T-Birds, Gallegos caught 66 passes for 935 yards and eight touchdowns. Gallegos was also named to the All-United Kansas Conference first team at receiver.
BRODY HAAS, Washburn Rural
A 5-foot-11, 200-pound senior linebacker, Haas was a leader for the 6-4 Junior Blues on defense, registering 114 total tackles with 80 solo stops. Haas recorded 14 tackles for loss with a sack and had two pass interceptions, returning one for a touchdowns while forcing two fumbles and recovering two fumbles and recording eight quarterback pressures. Haas received All-Class 6A recognition from the Kansas Football Coaches Association.
Connor Hanika, Hayden
CONNOR HANIKA, Hayden
Hanika, a 6-foot-6, 195-pound senior, helped lead the 12-1 Wildcats to their third straight Class 3A state championship game. Hanika completed 116 of 192 passing attempts on the season for 1,810 yards and 24 touchdowns while throwing just five interceptions. Hanika added 138 rushing yards on 21 carries, scoring three touchdowns.
John Hoytal, Washburn Rural
JOHN HOYTAL, Washburn Rural
Hoytal, a 6-foot-3, 195-pound senior quarterback, completed 100 of 131 pass attempts (77 percent completions) for 1,258 yards and 16 touchdowns with just three interceptions. Hoytal also carried the ball 35 times for 306 yards and a TD, averaging 6.9 yards per rushing attempt. Hoytal was named the All-Centennial League first-team quarterback.
Andre Johnson, Rossville
ANDRE JOHNSON, Rossville
A 6-foot, 206-pound senior fullback/linebacker, Johnson moves up to the All-Shawnee County Top 22 this season after being a Second 22 pick as a junior. Johnson was in on 133 tackles for the 11-Bulldawgs (74 solo), with two tackles for loss, one sack and one interception. Offensively, Johnson carried the ball 58 times for 365 yards. Johnson was a second-team All-Big East League pick on defense.
Dayne Johnson, Silver Lake
DAYNE JOHNSON, Silver Lake
Johnson, a 6-foot-2, 175-pound senior wide receiver/defensive back, is an All-Shawnee County Top 22 repeat selection after catching 75 passes for 1,053 yards and eight touchdowns and registering 59 tackles with two pass interceptions while calling the Eagles' defensive signals for the fourth straight season. Johnson earned first-team All-Big East League recognition on offense and second-team honors on defense this fall.
Noah Kobuszewski, Seaman
NOAH KOBUSZEWSKI, Seaman
Kobuszewski, a 6-foot-4, 225-pound senior tight end, was a Second 22 All-Shawnee County selection as a junior before moving up to the Top 22 this fall. Kobuszewski caught 33 passes on the season for 454 yards and three touchdowns for the 3-6 Vikings. Kobuszewski was an All-United Kansas Conference second-team selection.
JUDE KRENTZ, Hayden
A 5-foot-8, 190-pound senior running back/linebacker, Krentz is an All-Shawnee County Top 22 repeat pick and was named the Shawnee County defensive player of the year. Krentz led the Hayden defense with 120 tackles (61 solo) while recording six tackles for loss and picking off two passes. Offensively, Krentz carried the ball 71 times for 414 yards, caught six passes for 70 yards and scored 11 total touchdowns for the 12-1 Wildcats, who reached the Class 3A championship game for the third straight season.
JULIAN McGIVERN, Hayden
McGivern, a 5-foot-8, 200-pound offensive/defensive lineman, moves up to the All-Shawnee County Top 22 this fall after earning Second 22 recognition as a junior. McGivern anchored the Wildcats offensive line from his center position and also recorded 48 tackles (23 solo) on defense with three tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks for 12-1 Hayden, which advanced to its third straight Class 3A title game.
CANANN MITCHELL, Rossville
Mitchell, a 6-foot-1, 159-pound senior, was named the Shawnee County co-offensive county player of the year in his first season as the Bulldawgs' starting quarterback, helping lead Rossville to the Class 1A championship game and an 11-2 record. Mitchell rushed for 1,162 yards and 21 touchdowns on 167 carries and completed 123 of 184 passes for 1,771 yards and 19 touchdowns. Mitchell received All-Big East League honorable mention.
KADE MITCHELL, Hayden
Mitchell, a 5-foot-9, 180-pound senior running back/defensive back, is an All-Shawnee County Top 22 repeat pick this season and was named the Shawnee County co-offensive player of the year after receiving Second 22 honors as a sophomore. Mitchell carried the ball 106 times for 1,003 yards, caught 23 passes for 471 yards and scored 22 total touchdowns this season for the 12-1 Wildcats while being in on 34 tackles and compiling 372 kickoff and punt return yards.
G'Honi Montgomery, Highland Park
G'HONI MONTGOMERY, Highland Park
A junior running back, Montgomery helped lead Highland Park to a 5-1 record on the field and a Meadowlark Conference championship, earning all-conference honors at running back and returner. Montgomery carried the ball 69 times for 704 yards (10.2 yards per carry), caught 10 passes for 128 yards and scored 12 total touchdowns while compiling 1,761 all-purpose yards.
MALACHI MURPH, Topeka High
A 5-foot-11, 190-pound senior strong safety, Murph moves up to the All-Shawnee County Top 22 this season after earning Second 22 recognition as a junior. Murph has been a leader for the Topeka High defensive unit throughout his high school career, earning All-Centennial League recognition three straight seasons.
Tremaine Savage, Highland Park
TREMAINE SAVAGE, Highland Park
Savage, a senior wide receiver/defensive back, was named the Meadowlark Conference co-defensive player of the year after helping lead Highland Park to a 5-1 on-field record and a conference championship. Savage averaged 6.6 tackles per game and registered 15 pass breakups. Offensively, Savage caught six passes for 167 yards and two touchdowns, earning second-team all-conference honors at receiver.
Aiden Scott, Shawnee Heights
AIDEN SCOTT, Shawnee Heights
A 6-foot-5, 205 pound senior, Scott is one of six All-Shawnee County Top 22 repeat picks after leading the state in passing yards as a senior. Scott completed 197 of 319 passes for 2,991 yards and 26 touchdowns and finished his career completing 420 of 691 pass attempts for 6,491 yards and 632 touchdowns. Scott, who rushed for 170 yards and five touchdowns on 37 carries, earned second-team All-United Kansas Conference recognition for the second straight season.
JAYDEN WATERER, Silver Lake
Waterer, a 5-foot-10, 175-pound senior linebacker, was a top defensive player for the 7-3 Eagles, registering 59 tackles with 13 tackles for loss, six sacks, 10 hurries, one pass interception, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and a blocked punt. Waterer was a second-team All-Big-East League honoree this fall.
TopSports.news 2025 All-Shawnee County Football
Top 22
Player, school Pos. Ht. Wt. Gr.
Jadyn Baum, Washburn Rural RB 5-11 215 Jr.
Mason Becker, Hayden K/RB/DB 6-0 160 Jr.
Xander Blasing, Hayden TE/LB 6-2 220 Sr.
Cameron Brian, Seaman LB 6-1 195 Sr.
Conner Bush, Rossville RB/DB 6-0 181 Sr.
Jayden Cooper, Washburn Rural OL 6-2 285 Sr.
AJ Gallegos, Shawnee Heights WR 5-10 160 Sr.
Brody Haas, Washburn Rural LB 5-11 200 Sr.
Connor Hanika, Hayden QB 6-6 195 Sr.
John Hoytal, Washburn Rural QB 6-3 195 Sr.
Andre Johnson, Rossville FB/LB 6-0 206 Sr.
Dayne Johnson, Silver Lake WR/DB 6-2 175 Sr.
Noah Kobuszewski, Seaman TE 6-4 225 Sr.
Jude Krentz, Hayden RB/LB 5-8 190 Sr.
Julian McGivern, Hayden OL/DL 5-8 200 Sr.
Canann Mitchell, Rossville QB 6-1 159 Sr.
Kade Mitchell, Hayden RB/DB 5-9 180 Sr.
G'Honi Montgomery, Highland Park RB/DB 5-10 180 Jr.
Malachi Murph, Topeka High SS 5-11 190 Sr.
Tremaine Savage, Highland Park WR/DB 5-10 180 Sr.
Aiden Scott, Shawnee Heights QB 6-5 205 Sr.
Jayden Waterer, Silver Lake LB 5-10 175 Sr.
Second 22
Player, school Pos. Ht. Wt. Gr.
Coy Barta, Seaman WR 6-0 149 Jr.
Josh Brown, Seaman WR 6-0 155 Jr.
Charlie Chance, Rossville OL/DL 5-11 211 Jr.
Austin Ditch, Washburn Rural DB 5-11 190 Sr.
Jack Donovan, Rossville WR/DB 5-11 166 Sr.
Myles Fisher, Silver Lake OL/DL 6-1 215 Jr.
Hayden Foxhoven, Seaman DB 5-10 150 Sr.
Jordy Heim, Washburn Rural LB 6-2 220 Sr.
Cale Ketter, Seaman QB 6-1 170 Jr.
Makhi Kidd, Hayden WR/DB 6-2 175 Sr.
Kipton Kruger, Silver Lake QB 5-11 165 Fr.
Jackson McGivern, Hayden FB/LB 5-11 215 Sr.
Cameron Miller, Rossville WR 6-5 176 Sr.
Tyren Parker, Shawnee Heights WR/DB 6-3 190 Sr.
Logan Saenz, Hayden LB 6-0 195 Sr.
Nate Selm, Washburn Rural WR 6-1 160 Sr.
Will Skaggs, Shawnee Heights OL 6-3 270 Jr.
Dylan Tajchman, Washburn Rural OL 6-0 220 Sr.
Kendrick VandeVelde, Silver Lake OL 5-11 260 So.
Joshua Weeks, Highland Park OL 6-3 275 Sr.
Nas Williams-Brown, Topeka West RB/LB 5-9 160 So.
Rock Williamson, Topeka High LB 6-0 195 Sr.
Honorable mention
Cair Paravel: Tobias Bonura, sr.; Cole Haubold, jr. Hayden: Mar Barnett, sr.; Colt Ellerman, sr.; Jackson Haas, sr.; Rondell Harris, sr.; Logan Power, jr.; Andrew Rohr, sr. Highland Park: Donny Fox, sr.; JoJo Kingcannon, jr.; Philiciono Rice, sr.; Tayseaun Rouser, jr.; Ray White, sr. Rossville: Cale Horak, so.; Cael Horgan, jr.; Caleb Lehman, sr.; Landen Lewis, so.; Easton Webb, jr. Seaman: Brogen Brown, sr.; Alex Huston, jr; Quentin Moravec, so.; Ross Shipley, jr.; Ben Trier, sr. Shawnee Heights: Amir Bass, jr.; Blake Coffman, sr.; Royce Daniels, sr.; Zyhir Foster, jr.; Camden Granado, sr.; Evan Johnson, sr.; Christian Labrador, jr.; Emilio Morgan, sr.; Dallas Owens, jr.; Henry Schattilly, sr.; Dayton Vanderpool, sr.; David Wakes, sr.; Javon Williams, jr. Silver Lake: Grady Bergmann, sr.; Owen Rottinghaus, jr.; Drew Womack, sr. Topeka High: Ricardo Dowd, so.; Jones Erbe, so; Aidan Flanagan, sr; Adam Humphrey, sr; Jeremiah Lopez-Arreola, sr; Trey Lutz, jr.; Courtney Sanders, jr; Zane Smith, sr. Topeka West: Nasir Helton, jr.; Logan Hunninghake, sr.; Marcus Kirtdoll, sr.; Jayden Lindsay, sr.; Packard Luken, sr.; Gad Munganga, sr. Washburn Rural: Ryan Austin, jr.; Sammy Brumley, sr.; Steven Cantrell, sr.; Ayden Crosswhite, sr.; Elijah Gaines, sr.; Amir Jones, jr.; Evan Litton, jr.; Nick Loughney, jr.; Anthony Manrose, sr.; TJ Minikwu, sr.; Kellon Roth, sr.; Gavin Vantuyl, jr.; Isaiah Whiteside, so.
Co-offensive players of the year -- Canann Mitchell, Rossville, and Kade Mitchell, Hayden.
Defensive player of the year -- Jude Krentz, Hayden.
Offensive newcomer of the year -- Kipton Kruger, Silver Lake.
Defensive newcomer of the year -- Charlie Chance, Rossville.
Co-coaches of the year -- Bill Arnold, Hayden, and Derick Hammes, Rossville.
