By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Twelve city players earned first-team spots on the 2023 All-Centennial League football team, led by Washburn Rural senior quarterback Branton DeWeese, who was named the offense player of the year.
Washburn Rural senior quarterback Branton DeWeese has been named the Centennial League offensive player of the year after helping lead the Junior Blues to the league title and an 11-1 record overall. [File photo/TSN]
Steve Buhler has been named the Centennial League coach of the year after leading Washburn Rural to the league title and an 11-1 record on the year. [File photo/TSN]
DeWeese, who was also a first-team pick on offense, is one of 11 players to receive first-team recognition from Washburn Rural, which won the Centennial League championship on the way to an 11-1 record and advanced to the semifinals of the Class 6A playoffs.
Washburn Rural coach Steve Buhler was selected as the Centennial League coach of the year.
Senior wide receiver Titan Osburn, junior offensive linemen Caden Estrada and Jacob Hawks and sophomore running back TJ Minikwu also earned first-team honors for Washburn Rural on offense along with DeWeese while senior linemen Packson Bettis and Jamond Lane, senior linebackers Jaren Heim and JC Heim and junior defensive back Kingston Leonard first-team picks on defense and Rural sophomore Trevon Creager was named the first-team punter.
Topeka High junior Jayden Norman earned a first-team berth on the all-league offense at wide receiver.
Junction City senior Michael Boganowski was named the Centennial defensive player of the year.
ALL-CENTENNIAL LEAGUE FOOTBALL
First team offense
Quarterback -- Branton DeWeese, sr., Washburn Rural.
Running back -- Malaki, sr., Junction City; Charles Morgan, sr., Manhattan; TJ Minikwu, so., Washburn Rural.
Wide receiver -- Titan Osburn, jr., Washburn Rural; Jayden Norman, jr., Topeka High.
Tight end -- Landon Dobson, jr., Manhattan.
Line -- Jarrett Johnson, sr., Manhattan; Andrew Kenney, sr., Manhattan; Petren Bartalome, jr., Junction City; Ryan McCreath, sr.; Junction City; Caden Estrada, jr., Washburn Rural; Jacob Hawks, sr., Washburn Rural.
First team defense
Line -- Packson Bettis, jr., Washburn Rural; Clayton Frehn, sr., Manhattan; Jamond Lane, sr., Washburn Rural; Hayden Puryear, sr., Junction City.
Linebacker -- JC Heim, sr., Washburn Rural; Chris Dunnigan, sr., Manhattan; Cooper Bogenhagen, sr., Junction City; Jaren Heim, sr., Washburn Rural.
Defensive back -- Michael Boganowski, sr., Junction City; Max Stanard, sr., Manhattan; Kingston Leonard, jr., Washburn Rural; Elijah McFadden, sr., Manhattan.
First team special teams
Kicker -- Rylan Vikander, jr., Manhattan.
Punter -- Trevon Creager, so., Washburn Rural.
Returner -- Michael Boganowski, sr., Junction City.
Second team offense
Quarterback -- Carter Aslin, jr., Manhattan.
Running back -- Cooper Bogenhagen, sr., Junction City; Jaydin Hudley, jr., Manhattan; Lafayette Thompson, jr., Washburn Rural.
Wide receiver -- Dwayne Newby, sr., Manhattan; Mike Boganowski, sr., Junction City.
Tight end -- Sheldon Stewart, sr., Emporia.
Line -- Jacob Barnes, sr., Manhattan; Trey Hoover, jr., Manhattan; Dorian Coleman, jr., Junction City; Nate Miller, sr., Washburn Rural.
Second team defense
Line -- Thai Iverson, sr., Emporia; BJ Canady, sr., Topeka High; DJ Johnson, jr., Topeka High; Logan Stevens, sr., Manhattan.
Linebacker -- Maliki Daniels, sr., Junction City; Ian McNabb, sr., Manhattan; Colby Altevogt, jr., Manhattan; Tyler Durtschi, sr., Manhattan; Kevin Thompson, sr., Washburn Rural.
Defensive back -- Isaiah Kincade, sr., Topeka High; Wilson Miller, jr., Washburn Rural; Jalen Morgan, jr., Junction City; Jonathan Wille, sr., Manhattan.
Second team special teams
Kicker -- Ethan Hileman, jr., Junction City.
Punter -- Alex Allemang, sr., Emporia.
Returner -- Lafayette Thompson, jr., Washburn Rural.
Honorable mention offense
Emporia -- Jaden Thomas, sr.; Nate Thomas, sr. Junction City -- Brock Bazan, sr.; Jamarcus Vornes, so. Topeka High -- Jack Trotter, jr.; Tevante Ewing, jr.; Isaiah Kincade, sr. Washburn Rural -- Calvin Hayes, sr.
Honorable mention defense
Emporia -- Jalyn King, sr.; Kyle Obermeyer, sr. Junction City -- Damarion Shaw, jr.; Justice Fonoti, so.; Jeremiah Ragin, jr.; Lowell Autry, so. Manhattan -- Ian McNabb, jr.; JC Dunnigan, so. Topeka High -- Gary Coleman, sr.; Rock Williamson, so.; Aidan Flanagan, so.; Malachi Murph, so. Washburn Rural -- Baron Blankenship, jr.; Calvin Manthe, jr.
Honorable mention special teams
Topeka High -- Courtney Sanders, fr.
Offensive player of the year -- Branton DeWeese, Washburn Rural.
Defensive player of the year -- Michael Boganowski, Junction City.
Coach of the year -- Steve Buhler, Washburn Rural.
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