The Wichita Eagle’s 2023 Kansas high school football all-state Top 33 players
The Wichita Eagle released its annual Top 33 list, which recognizes the best Kansas high school football players from the 2023 season.
Kapaun Mt. Carmel senior Omari Elias was named the Offensive Player of the Year, Nemaha Central senior Holden Bass was named the Defensive Player of the Year and Cheney’s Shelby Wehrman was named the Coach of the Year.
The Eagle also released its Kansas high school football all-state teams for large and small classes, as well as 8-man and 6-man divisions.
Top 11 Kansas high school football players
Holden Bass, Nemaha Central… OL-DL… 6-4… 285… Sr.
Note: Dominant two-way lineman who helped pave the way for a Class 2A state championship run for Nemaha Central. The Kansas State commit finished with 107 tackles from his defensive tackle position, which included 20 for a loss, and notched 42 pancakes on the offensive line.
Mark Debiak, Gardner-Edgerton… DL… 6-3… 250… Sr.
Note: A disruptive force as an edge rusher on the first state championship team in school history. The North Dakota commit finished with 59 tackles, including 27 for a loss, five forced fumbles and 13 sacks.
Dylan Dunn, Blue Valley Southwest… QB… 6-4… 200… Sr.
Note: One of the most prolific passers in state history, he finished with 9,148 career yards and 94 passing touchdowns. He captained the best season in school history this year and finished with 3,777 passing yards and 47 touchdowns.
Omari Elias, Kapaun Mt. Carmel… RB… 5-10… 192… Sr.
Note: The all-time leading rusher in City League history, Elias powered the Crusaders to their first state championship appearance in 36 years. The Air Force signee finished with 3,100 rushing yards and 40 touchdowns this season.
Gus Hawkins, Mill Valley… OL… 6-8… 277… Sr.
Note: The premier left tackle in the state this season, Hawkins anchored the offensive line that helped the Jaguars win their fifth straight state championship. The three-star recruit is signed to play for Kansas State.
Tanner Heckel, Lyndon… QB-DB… 6-0… 180… Sr.
Note: One of the top multi-sport athletes in Kansas, Heckel delivered an all-time great season in his first year playing 8-man football. He finished with 2,313 rushing yards, 50 rushing touchdowns, 1,062 passing yards, 19 passing touchdowns and added three defensive touchdowns to total 72 on the season to help Lyndon win the 8-man Division I championship.
J.C. Heim, Washburn Rural… LB… 6-3… 220… Sr.
Note: A tenacious defender, he broke the school record with 153 tackles with eight sacks, 17 tackles for loss, two interceptions and three forced fumbles. He helped Washburn Rural to an 11-win season, the second-most wins in school history.
Brayden Kunz, Conway Springs… RB-LB… 6-2… 205… Sr.
Note: Another one of the top two-way players in the state, Kunz rushed for a school-record 2,806 yards this season and scored 24 touchdowns at running back. He also added a team-best 101 tackles to help Conway Springs win its first state championship since 2011.
DaeOnte Mitchell, Wichita East… QB… 5-11… 195… Sr.
Note: He shattered the City League all-time passing record as a four-year starter at quarterback, finishing with 7,848 career passing yards and 133 career touchdowns. The Hutchinson Community College signee finished with 2,820 passing yards, 1,115 rushing yards and 45 combined touchdowns this season.
Kian Payne, St. Thomas Aquinas… DL… 6-4… 260… Sr.
Note: The Co-Defensive Player of the Year in the Eastern Kansas League, he spearheaded a defense that helped Aquinas win the Class 4A state championship. The Kansas State signee finished with 62 tackles, seven sacks and eight tackles for loss this season.
Jack Voth, Cheney… WR-LB… 5-11… 175… Sr.
Note: The do-everything athlete led a senior class that helped win the first state championship in school history for Cheney. The New Mexico State commit finished with 77 catches, 1,033 receiving yards, 11 touchdowns on offense and 73 tackles, 17 for a loss, two sacks and two interceptions on defense.
Shelby Wehrman, Cheney coach
Note: Cheney prevailed in a handful of heart-stopping games in the playoffs to win the first state championship in school history. During the perfect 13-0 year, the Cardinals ended what was the nation’s longest active winning streak held by Andale and then pulled off another comeback in the playoffs to win the rematch.
Second 11
Callen Barta, Topeka Seaman senior defensive back
Justyce Betts, Bishop Miege senior linebacker
Michael Boganowski, Junction City senior defensive back
Da’Saahn Brame, Derby junior tight end
Karson Butts, Andale senior linebacker
Lucas Dickman, Goddard Eisenhower senior running back
Mason Hopper, Derby senior defensive lineman
Kaedin Massey, Lyndon senior offensive lineman
Tate McNew, Maize South junior quarterback
Bryce Noernberg, Olathe South senior quarterback
Jayden Woods, Mill Valley junior defensive lineman
Third 11
Colton Brusven, Tonganoxie senior running back
Josh Burdick, Cheney junior quarterback
Brett Carroll, Olathe East senior offensive lineman
Sammy Dresie, Maize South senior wide receiver
Teegan Haines, McPherson senior linebacker
Carter Hajek, Nemaha Central sophomore quarterback
Caiden Hoffman, Hoisington senior offensive lineman
Kyle Newsom, Andover Central senior defensive lineman
Hank Purvis, Bishop Carroll senior offensive lineman
Brandon Schmelzle, Axtell junior quarterback
R.B. Tweed, Jefferson County North senior defensive lineman
.jpg)