Sports in Kansas have released their Players of the Year for the 2023 season with Nemaha Central and Axtell sweeping the awards for their respective classifications. 

Jefferson County North also got into the mix after their run to the Class 1A State Championship game. Axtell won their third straight 8M-II State Championship while Nemaha Central claimed their second straight Class 2A State Championship. 

2A Offensive Player of the Year: Nemaha Central QB Carter Hajek

• Hajek was arguably the best sophomore in the state this season finishing with 2,431 rushing yards, 962 passing yards, and 53 total touchdowns. 

2A Defensive Player of the Year: Nemaha Central DL Holden Bass 

• This is the third straight season that Bass had been nominated for DPOY and he finally earns the honor in his senior season. Bass finished with over 100 tackles and 20 tackles for loss this season and is verbally committed to Northwest Missouri State. 

1A Defensive Player of the Year: Jefferson County North DL RB Tweed

• Tweed was a force for JCN helping the Chargers to their first ever State Title game appearance. Tweed finished the season with over 60 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, and nine sacks. 

8M-II Offensive Player of the Year: Axtell ATH Eli Broxterman

• Broxterman did a little bit of everything for the Eagles as he finished the season with 608 rushing yards, 520 receiving yards, and 23 total touchdowns. Broxterman has over 3,000 career total yards in three seasons with 58 total touchdowns. 

8M-II Defensive Player of the Year: Axtell DB Brandon Schmelzle

• Schmelzle made the move from WR to QB this season and was also a dominant defensive player. Brandon finished with nine intereceptions and had multiple kickoff return touchdowns.