Highland Park Scots
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
State tournament teams Seaman, Washburn Rural and Hayden combined to put 10 players on the TopSports.news 2024 All-Shawnee County volleyball first team, led by Seaman two-time player of the year Maegan Mills.
Seaman senior Maegan Mills (23) has been named the TSN Shawnee County volleyball player of the year for the second straight season. [Photo by Jesse Bruner/Special to TSN]
Seaman's Tatiana Dowling has been named the Shawnee County coach of the year for the second straight season. [File photo/TSN]
Seaman, which finished second in Class 5A this fall after winning the state title in 2023, put a county-high four players on the all-county first team, with Mills joined by fellow Viking seniors Campbell Chabot, Ava Esser and Kinley Wilhelm while Viking coach Tatiana Dowling, a Seaman grad, was named the coach of the year for the second straight season after leading her team to a county-best 41-3 record and a county-best state tournament finish.
Hayden freshman Hailey Schmidtlein has been named the Shawnee County co-newcomer of the year. [File photo/TSN]
Hayden freshman Blakely Walter has been named the Shawnee County volleyball co-newcomer of the year. [File photo/TSN]
Hayden, which placed third in the 4A state tournament, is represented on the first team by senior Reagan McGivern and freshmen Hailey Schmidtlein and Blakely Walter, who were named co-Shawnee County newcomers of the year. McGivern is a first-team all-county repeat pick after earning first-team honors at Seaman as a junior.
Washburn Rural is represented on the all-county first team by seniors Layla Collins and Kate Hinck and junior Karsyn Horyna after helping the Junior Blues win the Centennial League championship and advance to the 6A state tournament.
Collins is a first-team All-Shawnee County repeat pick after being a second-team pick as a sophomore.
Shawnee Heights put seniors Kaydence Torrez and Taylor Brees on the first team while Silver Lake is represented by senior Ella Bolan, Rossville by sophomore Nora Burdiek and Topeka High by senior Jo'Mhara Benning.
Torrez and Bolan are first-team repeat picks while Burdiek was named the county newcomer of the year as a freshman.
All-Shawnee County first-team capsules:
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Meadowlark Conference coaches took notice of Jamon Wilson's outstanding senior season, with the Highland Park star named the conference offensive and special teams player of the year while earning first-team recognition at two positions.
Highland Park senior Jamon Wilson (5) has been named the Meadowlark Conference offensive and special teams player of the year after helping lead the Scots to a 6-3 record. [File photo/TSN]
Wilson was a named a first-team pick at running back and kick returner in addition to his dual player of the year honors.
Senior linebacker Ricky Crawford and junior defensive back Tremaine Savage received first-team All-Meadowlark recognition for the second straight season after helping lead the Scots to a 6-3 record while junior Andres Ochoa-Perez was a first-team pick in the offensive line after receiving honorable mention as a sophomore.
Scot sophomore running back G'Honi Montgomery and senior lineman Adrian Burney were named to the All-Meadowlark second team while nine Highland Park players received all-conference honorable mention.
By Todd Fertig
TopSports.news
The three-year run of winning football came to an end for the Highland Park seniors Friday. They were bounced from the Class 5A state playoffs by Pittsburg, 49-18, at Hummer Sports Park, ending the Scots' season with a 6-3 record.
Highland Park sophomore G'Honi Montgomery had 58 rushing yards and a TD in the Scots' 49-18 Class 5A playoff loss to Pittsburg Friday night. [File photo/TSN]
The No. 8 East seed for the Scots meant they drew a tough opponent in the Purple Dragons. The Scots hung tough, trailing just 21-12 midway through the second period with a chance to cut into the deficit. But a fumble deep in Pittsburg territory turned into another score for the visitors, who gradually pulled away.
The season ended on a sour note, but the seniors who depart the Highland Park program can take pride in a historic turnaround. They completed their freshman season on a losing streak that extended to eight seasons. But since moving to the Meadowlark Conference, they have led a turnaround that is nothing less than historic. The Scots have amassed a 19-9 record over the past three seasons.
“This senior class is the first class that I had for all four years, and they witnessed (the turnaround),” coach Jermaine Monroe said. “The underclassmen, they don’t know what it was like. They don’t know the experience of going 0-9. This senior class knows that, and they helped change that. They were part of that grind to turn the thing around and keep it going. They can share those experiences.”
Senior Jamon Wilson closed out his banner Highland Park career in Friday's 49-18 Class 5A playoff loss to Pittsburg. [File photo/TSN]
The Scots struggled Friday to turn their speed loose against the Purple Dragon defense. They got a 25-yard touchdown run from sophomore G’Honi Montomery, a 7-yard score from senior Jamon Wilson, and a 44-yard scoring pass from junior Dontrail Fox to sophomore Joe Kingcannon.
Defensively, the Scots were the victim of a ground-and-pound offense. Pittsburg attempted few passes but rushed for 406 yards. Senior running back Stone Peery accounted for 214 yards and three touchdowns on the ground.
“With the type of offense that they run, they’re going to grind it out and eat the clock,” Monroe said. “And they made some chunk plays. We just made some mistakes in critical moments of the game, and it just got away from us.”
A running clock accelerated the pace of the second half and brought an early end to the evening. Monroe was not deterred by the outcome, however.
“We had a great season.,” Monroe said “We never gave up. The boys kept fighting to the end. Each week we got better and better, and even this week we got better. The score says one thing, but I think we played a solid game.”
Monroe was effusive in his praise of the seniors, but said he was ready to celebrate the effort of the entire team in the locker room following the defeat.
“I’ll tip my hat to them,” Monroe said. “I’m blessed to be able to coach these guys because all they do is give their heart and their soul, everything they have, in every practice, every game. They are just a great group of boys.”
PITTSBURG 49, HIGHLAND PARK 18
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
(Kickoffs at 7 p.m., unless noted)
THURSDAY'S GAME
Class 2A
Silver Lake senior quarterback Dysen Schooler threw for three touchdowns and ran for a TD in the Eagles' 29-12 win over Council Grove on Friday. [File photo/TSN]
GALENA (4-4) at SILVER LAKE (6-2)
6 p.m. kickoff
Silver Lake, the No. 5 Class 2A East seed, will host No. 12 seed Galena in a Halloween Night battle to open the post season. Silver Lake finished second in 2A District 3, ending its regular season with a 29-12 win over Council Grove (5-3) as senior quarterback Dysen Schooler threw for 242 yards and three touchdowns and also ran for a 31-yard TD. Galena ended its regular season with a 36-20 win over Baxter Springs.
FRIDAY'S GAMES
Class 6A
TOPEKA HIGH (4-4) at JUNCTION CITY (4-4)
The Trojans and Centennial League rival Junction City will square off for the second time in four games in the opening round of the Class 6A playoffs. Topeka High was installed as the No. 9 West seed after a 49-24 non-league loss at Pittsburg Friday night while Junction City is the No. 8 seed in the West after a 38-0 league win over Emporia. Junction City took a 50-21 win over Topeka High in Week 6 of the regular season, also at Junction City.
WASHBURN RURAL (3-5) at MAIZE (4-4)
Washburn Rural is the No. 10 seed in Class 6A West and will travel to Maize to face the No. 7 West seed. The Junior Blues are coming off a 56-14 Centennial League road loss at unbeaten Manhattan Friday night. Washburn Rural will be facing a Maize team that has won four straight games, including a 50-0 win over Salina South in Week 8.
Class 5A
Seaman senior quarterback Max Huston (7) and the 6-2 Vikings are the No. 3 West seed for the Class 5A state playoffs. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
TOPEKA WEST (1-7) at SEAMAN (6-2)
Topeka West and Seaman will face off for the second time this season, with the Vikings taking a 53-6 United Kansas Conference win over the Chargers in Week 3. UKC champion Seaman is coming off a 42-28 conference loss to De Soto on Friday while West dropped 58-21 UKC decision to Piper. Seaman is the No. 3 Class 5A West seed while Topeka West is the No. 14 seed.
Jamon Wilson (5) and Highland Park capped a 6-2 regular season with a 38-28 win over KC-Washington and will open the Class 5A playoffs at home against Pittsburg Friday night. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
PITTSBURG (6-2) vs. HIGHLAND PARK (6-2)
At Hummer Sports Park
Highland Park ended up as the No. 8 seed in Class 5A East and drew a tough opening round opponent in No. 9 seed Pittsburg, also 6-2. The Purple Dragons ended their regular season with a 49-24 home non-league decision over Topeka High. Highland Park capped its regular season on Thursday night with a 38-28 Meadowlark Conference victory over Kansas City-Washington.
Parker Busenitz (4) caught seven passes for 142 yards and two TDs in Friday's 69-30 UKC win over KC-Turner. [File photo/TSN]
SHAWNEE HEIGHTS (2-6) at SPRING HILL (7-1)
Shawnee Heights picked up its second win of the season Friday night, taking a 69-30 United Kansas Conference road decision over Kansas City-Turner, while Spring Hill edged Louisburg, 14-13. Spring Hill is the No. 5 Class 5A East seed whlile Heights is the No. 12 seed. Junior quarterback Aiden Scott completed 23 of 28 passes fo 387 yards and six touchdowns against Turner while Parker Busenitz had seven catches for 142 yards and two TDs and Tyren Parker has six catches for 121 yards and two TDs.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
(All kickoffs at 7 p.m.)
THURSDAY'S GAME
Highland Park senior Jamon Wilson has compiled 1,449 all-purpose yards this fall for the 5-2 Scots. [File photo/TSN]
KC-WASHINGTON (6-1, 4-1 Meadowlark) vs. HIGHLAND PARK (5-2, 4-1 Meadowlark)
At Hummer Sports Park
Highland Park snapped a two-game losing streak with a 70-0 non-league rout over Kansas City-East, Mo. last Thursday at Hummer Sports Park while Kansas City-Washington is coming off a 20-6 Meadowlark Conference victory over KC-Schlagle. Thursday's game could have serious implications on seeding for the Class 5A playoffs, with Washington tied for the No. 2 East seed and Highland Park tied for the No. 7 East seed. The top eight seeds will host games in the first round of the playoffs next week. Scot senior Jamon Wilson has accumulated 1,449 all-purpose yards, including 510 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on 45 carries, 16 receptions for 349 yards and three TDs and 565 kick/punt return yards. Sophomore quarterback G'Honi Montgomery has carried the ball 67 times for 590 yards and six TDs while junior Dontrail Fox has completed 48 of 100 passes for 899 yards and 10 TDs.
FRIDAY'S GAMES
Seaman senior Max Huston has passed for 1,650 yards and 18 TDs and rushed for 443 yards and seven TDs for the 6-1 Vikings. [File photo/TSN]
DE SOTO (6-1, 5-1 UKC) at SEAMAN (6-1, 6-0 UKC)
Seaman clinched a share of the United Kansas Conference title with a 28-14 win over previously-unbeaten Basehor-Linwood last Friday and can clinch the outright championship with a win over De Soto. The Vikings are currently tied for the No. 2 West Class 5A seed. De Soto rolled to a 67-28 non-league win over Blue Valley Southwest last Friday and the Wildcats are tied for the No. 2 East 5A seed. Seaman senior Max Huston has completed 96 of 151 passes for 1,650 yards and 18 touchdowns and has rushed for 443 yards and seven TDs on 70 attempts. Senior Bryer Finley has 53 receptions for 1,069 yards and 14 TDs while junior Kaden McKinney has carried the ball 94 times for 598 yards and 10 TDs. Junior Carter Brian leads the Vikings with 75 tackles (42 solo) with seven tackles for loss.
PIPER (2-5, 2-4 UKC) vs. TOPEKA WEST (1-6, 1-6 UKC)
At Hummer Sports Park
Topeka West dropped a 57-0 United Kansas Conference decision to Leavenworth last week while Piper took a 51-16 UKC win over Kansas City-Turner. West enters the final game of the regular season tied for the No. 12 seed in Class 5A West.
COUNCIL GROVE (5-2, 1-2 Class 2A District 3) at SILVER LAKE (5-2, 2-1 Class 2A District 3)
Both Silver Lake and Council Grove will be looking to bounce back from losses, with the Eagles dropping a 35-21 Class 2A District 3 decision to undefeated Osage City while Council Grove lost a 22-6 district game to St. Marys. Silver Lake had a four-game win streak snapped by Osage City, which pulled away late in a game that was tied 14-14 at halftime.
Hayden senior quarterback Jett Wahlmeier has passed for 1,175 yards and 14 TDs for the 6-1 Wildcats. [Photo by Kyle Manthe/Special to TSN]
HAYDEN (6-1, 3-0 Class 3A District 4) at JEFFERSON WEST (1-6, 0-3 Class 3A District 4)
Hayden clinched the Class 3A District 4 championship last Friday with a 50-16 district win over Perry-Lecompton while Jefferson West posted its first win of the season, taking a 29-6 non-district win over Atchison County. Wildcat senior quarterback Jett Wahlmeier has completed 78 of 114 passes for 1,175 yards and 14 touchdowns while junior Kade Mitchell has carried the ball 60 times for 546 yards, caught 21 passes for 374 yards and scored 16 total touchdowns. Senior Jensen Schrickel has caught 22 passes for 356 yards and scored nine total TDs. Junior Jude Krentz leads Hayden with 68 total tackles (38 solo) while sophomore Mason Becker is 38 of 38 on extra-point attempts.
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
(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 Todd Fertig
TopSports.news
Highland Park football had no problem picking up its fifth win of the season, steamrolling a school from Kansas City, Mo. 70-0 in a Thursday night meeting at Hummer Sports Park.
Senior CJ Brown celebrates a touchdown in Highland Park's 70-0 win over KC-East Thursday night. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Highland Park senior Jamon Wilson scored two touchdowns in Thursday's 70-0 non-league win over KC-East. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Highland Park enjoyed the blowout win after suffering back-to-back losses to slump to 4-2. The Scots can expect a challenge in their final regular-season contest next Thursday, a meeting with 5-1 KC-Washington in a game with Meadowlark Conference and Class 5A playoff implications.
The visiting KC-East Bears got off on the wrong foot, and it just got worse from there. An errant snap on the first play from scrimmage was recovered by Highland Park lineman Elijah Thomas, who jogged 45 yards for a defensive touchdown.
The Bear offense could do nothing against the Scots. And once Highland Park had possession of the ball, they were rarely tackled. In fact, Highland Park scored on their first four plays from scrimmage before the Bears actually got one of the Scots on the ground. In just five minutes of play, Highland Park had amassed a 36-0 lead.
The officials called for a running clock with 5:39 remaining in the second period.
Scoring offensive touchdowns for the Scots in the first half were:
• Jamon Wilson, on runs of 19 and 53 yards.
• Ricky Crawford, on a 47-yard pass from Dontrail Fox.
Sophomore G'Honi Montgomery scores a TD in Thursday's 70-0 Highland Park win over KC-East. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
• G'Honi Montgomery, on a 91-yard run and a 35-yard pass from Fox, and Fox, on a 20-yard run.
The second half, with a running clock throughout, held more of the same for the visiting Bears.
CJ Brown took a sweep 54 yards on the first play of the third period. Wilson ran 35 yards on the Scots’ next offensive play. And to cap the scoring, Brown returned an interception 33 yards for a touchdown.
Thus, the Scots went untackled in the second half en route to piling up the 70-0 final score. In all, the Scots scored eight offensive touchdowns on just 12 plays from scrimmage.
Junior quarterback Dontrail Fox and the Highland Park football team improved to 5-2 with a 70-0 win over KC-East Thursday night. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
“It was a lot of fun,” said Fox, the Scots’ junior quarterback who praised the many options at his disposal. “Whoever I threw to, they scored. Whoever I handed off to, they scored. My offensive line gave me time and kept me from getting hit.”
Expecting a lopsided affair, Monroe experimented with a platoon made up mostly of seniors, and another consisting entirely of players he expects to be back in 2025.
“You saw a bit of what next year is going to look like. And it looked pretty good,” Monroe said. “We got a lot of young guys involved tonight.”
An easy cruise to victory may help Highland Park put behind it two painful losses, at Wichita East and at Atchison, a game that may have sealed the league title for the Phoenix.
“The whole week, we focused on what we can control and how we’re going to respond,” Monroe said. “I told the guys tonight to focus on, at the end of this game, to be better teammates. Just be a great teammate. And tonight, they were supporting each other. They were just flying around having fun.”
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Saturday was business as usual for Washburn Rural's boys cross country team, which rolled to its 18th straight city boys team title at Kanza Park.
Seaman junior Brody Anderson captured his first city boys individual cross country championship Saturday at Kanza Park. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
But there was also some new in the city championships, with Seaman junior standout Brody Anderson winning his first city individual crown after finishing second in 2023 while freshman Henry Laubach made an immediate impact in his first city meet with a third-place finish to pace the perennial-champion Junior Blues.
Matt Swedlund's Washburn Rural team used its pack mentality to produce a decisive 30-79 margin over Topeka West in the team race, with Laubach leading the way as Junior Blues put three runners in the top five and all of their top five in the top 10 places.
Anderson clocked a winning five-kilometer time of 15 minutes, 36.7 seconds in his second city meet, winning by a 21-second-plus margin over Topeka West senior standout Adrian Lehman (15:58.3).
"It was good,'' Anderson said. "I went out pretty fast. I knew the course changed beforehand (approximately 80 meters longer) and I went out and walked it. It was good to see something a little extra on Kanza and I still ran a great time.
"It's championship season and I've been looking forward to it all season. I came out guns a blazing I feel like and it's paid off and I keep seeing some great times.''
Freshman Henry Laubach finished a team-high third in Saturday's city meet as Washburn Rural won its 18th straight boys team title. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Laubach continued his outstanding rookie campaign for the Junior Blues with a third-place time of 16:17.0.
"He's so natural,'' Swedlund said. "He's just a natural talent and having the middle school right there and being ablt to watch him compete and seeing him in the summers and stuff, he's where we thought he'd be.''
Junior Brooks Kehoe finished fourth (16:38.0) for the Junior Blues while senior Bodie King was fifth (16:42.8), senior Connor Olsen eighth (16:59.0) and freshman Duke Graf 10th (17:17.2) to complete Rural's top five.
"I was happy,'' Swedlund said. "Our two through four, five, that's right where we wanted them to be so I was happy with that.''
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Washburn Rural won its sixth straight girls team championship in Saturday's city cross country meet at Kanza Park while Seaman junior star Ryin Miller won her second straight individual title.
Seaman junior Ryin Miller remained undefeated on the season while winning her second straight city title Saturday at Kanza Park. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Seniors Payton Fink (left) and Rylee Ismert finished second and third individually on Saturday to lead Washburn Rural to its sixth straight city girls cross country team championship. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Miller, who set a state record at at Kanza earlier in the fall, won the individual title by a minute and 13 seconds with a five-kilometer time of 17:08.3 on the newly-reworked course while Matt Swedlund's Junior Blues went 2-3-4 and put all of their top five in the top nine places as Rural took the team title by a 24-31 margin over Seaman.
Undefeated on the season, Miller said she didn't feel completely comfortable on Saturday, but was just pleased to get the job done.
"I'm not sad, but I'm not happy either,'' Miller said. "I was hoping to PR (personal record). Obviously they added a little onto the course (approximately 80 meters) and I think that had something to do with it and it was a little hotter than we anticipated I think.
"I just didn't feel my best today, but I still ran a good time so I'll take it.''
Fink, a former city champion, finished second for Washburn Rural in 18:21.2 while senior Rylee Ismert finished third (18:43.8) and junior Emily Graf was fourth (19:15.2).
Senior Brooklyn Nolte finished eighth (19:55.9) and junior Kenzie Maddox ninth (20:28.7) to round out Rural's top five.
Swedlund said he appreciated the tough team battle the Junior Blues got from Seaman.
"That's kind of been the story the last several city meets, you've got Seaman and Washburn Rural up there battling it out,'' Swedlund said. "Our girls are fast but their girls are fast so you've got to get it done on the day.''
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
Alex Baxter
ALEX BAXTER, Topeka West
A senior golf standout, Baxter shot an 87 to win her first United Kansas Conference individual championship last Tuesday at Lakw Shawnee after finishing third in the conference tournament as a sophomore and second as a junior. Baxter's UKC title came a day after Baxter shot an 88 to tie for eighth place in the city championships.
Maegan Mills
MAEGAN MILLS, Seaman
The Seaman senior was voted the Most Valuable Player in Saturday's seven-school Seaman Invitational volleyball tournament after helping lead the Vikings to the team championship with a perfect 6-0 record. Mills helped Seaman, the defending Class 5A state champion, win all six of its matches in the round-robin event in straight sets as the Vikings improved to 21-1 on the season.
Ryin Miller
RYIN MILLER, Seaman
A junior cross country star, Miller won her fourth individual championship in as many starts this fall on Saturday, posting a five-kilometer time of 17 minutes, 14.1 seconds to win the Gold Division title in the prestigious multi-state Rim Rock Classic at Rim Rock Farm, north of Lawrence. Miller topped two-time Class 5A state champion Katelyn Rupe of Salina Central by just over three seconds (17:17.4).
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
Seaman junior cross country star Ryin Miller and Highland Park sophomore football standout G'Honi Montgomery 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 Miller and Montgomery over the past week:
Seaman junior Ryin Miller has been named the Dan Key Farmers Insurance Agency female Rising Star of the Week after posting her fourth straight individual win of the season in last Saturday's Rim Rock Classic. [File photo/TSN]
RYIN MILLER, Seaman
Miller won her fourth individual championship in as many starts this fall last Saturday, posting a five-kilometer time of 17 minutes, 14.1 seconds to win the Gold Division title in the prestigious multi-state Rim Rock Classic at Rim Rock Farm, north of Lawrence.
Miller topped two-time Class 5A state champion Katelyn Rupe of Salina Central by just over three seconds (17:17.4).
Earlier in the season the Seaman junior notched individual wins in the Manhattan Invitational, the Joe Schrag Invitational and the Shufelberger Top City Classic, setting an all-time girls state five-kilometer record in the Schrag meet at Kanza Park.
Highland Park sophomore G'Honi Montgomery has been named the Dan Key Farmers Insurance Agency male Rising Star of the Week after rushing for 157 yards and scoring three touchdowns in a 48-0 Meadowlark Conference victory over KC-Harmon last Friday. [File photo/TSN]
G'HONI MONTGOMERY, Highland Park
Montgomery continued his outstanding sophomore season for the Scots in last Friday's 48-0 Meadowlark Conference victory over Kansas City-Harmon at Hummer Sports Park as Highland Park improved to a perfect 4-0 on the season.
Montgomery gained 157 yards on just six rushing attempts, including touchdown runs of 22, 26 and 62 yards.
Montgomery and the Scots posted their fourth straight shutout against Harmon and have now outscored their opponents by a 174-0 margin.
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's volleyball team struggled for much of Wednesday night's USD 501 triangular at Topeka West.
But the Trojans came to life in time to earn district bragging rights, outlasting West in three sets in the final match of the night to cap a 2-0 record with a 16-25, 25-17, 25-20 win over the Chargers.
Topeka High senior Jo'Mhara Benning (23) celebrates a point with her teammates during Wednesday's USD 501 triangular at Topeka West. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
"I think it's a really big deal and I'm glad that we could get the title back of being the top one in 501,'' Topeka High senior standout Jo'Mhara Benning said. "Last year we beat Topeka West at home but lost to them two out of three times.''
Topeka High, now 10-8, opened its night with a 25-13, 25-21 win over the Scots, who led 21-19 in the second set before the Trojans ran off six straight points.
"We were learning a new rotation, so we were getting comfortable with that,'' Topeka High senior standout Jo'Mhara Benning said. "I think that was what our problem was, we weren't used to playing with each other, so we just learned to talk and to know where you're at on the court... just in time.''
Topeka High coach Bridget Bargmann agreed that Wednesday was an uphill battle, but she was proud of her team for finding a way to get the job done.
"I'm so proud of my girls,'' Bargman said. "That first set against West was a little scary but they dug deep and I'm so proud of them.
"I love the drive and the perseverance and everything else that goes along with it.''
Topeka High senior Jo'Mhara Benning reached the 100 milestone for service aces in Wednesday's USD 501 triangular. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Another highlight for the Trojans was a milestone-reaching performance by Benning, who recorded a service ace for the first point of the third set against Topeka West, reaching the 100-ace mark for her career.
The High multi-sport standout said she knew she was closing in on the milestone.
"It was supposed to be a surprise, but I knew,'' she said. "I'm just glad I can help my team out in any way I can.''
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Highland Park's football team is very proud of its offensive firepower.
But the Scots may be ever prouder of their work on the other side of the ball, with undefeated Highland Park pushing its shutout streak to four games with Friday's 48-0 Meadowlark Conference romp past Kansas City-Harmon at Hummer Sports Park.
Highland Park's defense gang tackles KC-Harmon's Nino Howard en route to its fourth straight shutout, a 48-0 win over the Hawks. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
"That was 100 percent the goal when I came here to this school,'' Highland Park coach Jermaine Monroe said. "There were a bunch of guys who wanted to play offense, nobody wanted to play defense and we wanted to build a defense, build a love for defense and get guys who strictly just want to play 'D.'
"We've got about 15 guys on the team who just want to be defensive guys and those guys are flying around, making big plays, and our defensive coordinator, Jacob Kessler, does a great job of keeping it simple for the boys so they can fly around and not complicate things and I think that's what makes it fun for our boys.''
Highland Park (4-0 overall, 4-0 conference), which has now outscored its opponents by a 174-0 margin, limited Harmon (1-3, 0-3) to just 33 total yards Friday night, with the Hawks getting no further than their own 45-yard-line.
Senior Craig Sipple is helping spearhead the Scots' defense at linebacker this fall after starting at quarterback as a junior.
"I'm having a lot of fun playing defense, flying around making tackles,'' Sipple said.
And Sipple said the Scots are savoring their shutout runs.
"It's crazy,'' Sipple said. "I'm telling you, I've never seen it been done here. This is literally the first time I've ever seen it be done, the first four games and no points let up. This is amazing.
"We have a big senior class and everybody wants to win. This is our last year, this is my last year, so everybody is really just trying to win.''
Highland Park senior Jamon Wilson leaves the Harmon defense in his wake on the way to a touchdown in Friday's 48-0 Scot win over the Hawks. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Offensively and on special teams Highland Park got another huge night from senior Jamon Wilson, who scored on a 55-yard run, a 48-yard run, a 50-yard punt return and an 89-yard kickoff run.
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
