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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
OTTAWA -- Playing next to Notre Dame freshman to be Joe Otting throughout his Hayden football career, Ben Evans might have been overlooked by some college recruiters.
Former Hayden standout lineman Ben Evans (72) talks with his high school coach, Bill Arnold, during an East practice session for Saturday's Kansas Shrine Bowl at Hays. Arnold is coaching the defensive line for the East. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
But the 6-foot-2, 275-pound lineman said he wouldn't have traded the opportunity to play alongside Otting for anything.
"I loved being next to Joe on the offensive line and on defense,'' Evans said. "We're brothers. We've been playing together since sixth grade and I'm happy for him. That's awesome. I mean, he's living the dream.''
But now Evans, an All-Shawnee County Top 22 pick, is looking forward to showing what he can do, beginning with Saturday night's 50th Kansas Shrine Bowl at Hays and continuing this fall at Coffeyville Community College.
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
EDITOR'S NOTE: Over the coming weeks TopSports.news will recognize Shawnee County's all-time best teams in 21 sports as part of our Best of the Best project. The project continues with football and readers will have the opportunity to vote for teams in that sport through July 26, with the top teams in all categories announced in late July and August. To cast a vote for the Best of the Best, click on https://take.quiz-maker.com/poll4869619x1e314Fa6-151 while email votes/nominations will be also accepted at
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Shawnee County high schools first started fielding football teams in the early 1900s, with seven county schools posting undefeated seasons in the early days of Kansas prep football.
But the modern era of the sport began in 1969 with the advent of playoff football in Kansas and Shawnee County schools have continued that enviable record of success, posting 19 state tiles in four classes.
Silver Lake went a perfect 13-0 en route to the 1989 Class 3A state championship, its first of three undefeated state titles and eight overall under CJ Hamilton. [Submitted photo to KSHSAA.org]
Ron Bowen's Washburn Rural team went a perfect 12-0 to win the 1989 Class 5A state championship, the Junior Blues' third state title in the '80s. [Submitted photo to KSHSAA.org]
With over 110 years of teams to pick from, narrowing down TopSports.news Best of the Best teams to a top 10 is a daunting task, but the list of contenders has to start with the 10 county teams that have posted wire-to-wire undefeated campaigns in the playoff era.
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Washburn senior-to-be right-handed pitcher Casey Steward was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies Tuesday in the 19th round with the 583rd overall pick in the Major League Draft.
Washburn star pitcher Casey Steward was drafted Tuesday by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 19th round. [Photo courtesy of Washburn Athletics]
Steward was the first MIAA player to be picked in the draft this year.
"Casey Steward has been an impact player for Washburn baseball since the first day he stepped on campus," Ichabod head baseball coach Harley Douglas said in a Washburn Athletics release. "I am so happy for him and his family today!
"His commitment and dedication to his craft and being an Ichabod will be hard to replace. He was determined to make his mark in Washburn baseball history and it is safe to say he did it in a big way. What a tremendous day for Casey Steward, his family and all of Ichabod nation!"
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
OTTAWA -- Former Rossville star offensive lineman Jacob Carver is set to continue what has become a Bulldawg pipeline to Emporia State's football program this fall, with Carver to begin his freshman year with the Hornets next month.
Former Rossville star Jacob Carver (middle) will play offensive line for the East in Saturday's Kansas Shrine Bowl at Hays. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
The Bulldawgs' connections to ESU include Rossville coach Derick Hammes as well as former Bulldawg standouts Dawson Hammes and Cole Schumacher, who completed their Hornet careers last season, and Carver's former teammate, Brody Lietz.
But as deep as Rossville's connections to Emporia State run, Carver said his fellow Bulldawgs stayed out of the way when it came time for him to pick a college.
"They left it up to me and I just loved the environment that they had there, so I thought it fit right for me,'' said Carver, who will play for the East team in Saturday night's 50th Kansas Shrine Bowl at Hays.
"I kind of thought about a couple other schools but after just talking to the (Emporia State) coaches, I just felt like that was the perfect spot for me.''
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Darting Basketball Academy wrapped up its fourth 3 on 3 Summer League Monday night with a packed house at Shawnee Heights, culminating with the crowning of Most Valuable Players in five divisions.
DBA 3 on 3 Summer League 12-13-year-old MVP Gaige Navarro (left) and 12-13 girls MVP Claire Puvogel (right) pose for a picture with Kerry Darting after receiving their MVP awards. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
DBA 3 on 3 Summer League 10-11 girls MVP Claire Puvogel (left), 8-9 boys MVP Hudson Blanton (middle) and 10-11 boys MVP Vy Thomas pose for a picture after receiving their MVP awards Monday night at Shawnee Heights. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Hudson Blanton received the MVP award in the 8-9-year-old boys division, while Vy Thomas was the 10-11 boys winner and Gaige Navarro took home MVP honors in the 12-13 boys division.
Teagan Wheat was the 10-11 girls MVP and Claire Puvogel received the MVP award in the 12-13 division.
Ontarius Emmot and KK Emmot were named the most valuable players in the high school division of the DBA 3 on 3 Summer League. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
The 3 on 3 Summer League for the high school division finished up last week, with the brother-sister combo of Ontarius and KK Emmot earning most valuable player honors.
