Football beats Emporia

MHS clinches league title

Jacob Clanton, Sports Editor

Not only do teams sometimes struggle in the game just before a big opponent, but the game after can prove to be difficult as well.

“Coming off the big J.C. win, I think it’s kind of hard to focus,” senior quarterback Ian Trapp said, “especially when you’re not going against such a big opponent again.”

Nevertheless, Manhattan (7-0) came away with the win, beating Emporia (3-4) 48-0 on Friday night to clinch the Centennial League title. Due to the big lead, a running clock was instituted with four minutes left in the third quarter.

The Indians once again got off to a slow start, allowing Emporia to march down the field on 12 consecutive runs and get to its nine-yard line on EHS’ second drive of the game. Manhattan’s defense stopped them there, forcing a field goal attempt.

Though it was early on, the field goal would prove to be one of the biggest plays of the game, as junior Sam Edwards got through Emporia’s line to block it. Senior Chance Andrade then ran it back 83 yards for a touchdown, giving MHS a 7-0 lead with 14 seconds left in the first quarter, the latest Manhattan has scored this season.

“[It was huge] because we were lifeless,” head coach Joe Schartz said. “We needed somebody to step up and make a play, and they definitely did. [It] definitely ignited us, and set us off for a good night after that point.”

The Indians finally kicked it into gear, scoring on their next offensive play, a 58-yard run from Trapp. Trapp would finish the game with 100 yards on seven attempts, scoring four touchdowns.

Though Trapp would score the next three touchdowns, he was not the only runner for Manhattan. Seniors Iverson Robb and Tariq Gerald also racked up yards, running for 47 yards on 12 attempts, and 31 yards on three attempts respectively. Robb would finish with one rushing touchdown.

Trapp credited the offensive line for assisting with the great running.

“We’ve said it again and again,” Trapp said, “but our O-line is really just amazing, so it didn’t really matter who was getting the ball, who was getting touches — we could pound it.”

Senior Eldon Picou, a member of the Manhattan offensive line, said it’s nice to hear the team praising them.

“It’s real special to us,” Picou said, “cause overall it makes us feel like we’re really appreciated by all the backs. Sometimes, running backs get a little cocky, and they just forget where the yards come from, but our running backs are very special, and they remember where all the yards come from, and they thank us pretty much every touchdown.”

Trapp’s four second-quarter touchdowns could not have been possible without help from the defense. An Emporia fumble, recovered by senior Drew Padgett, led to a short field for Trapp’s third touchdown. His fourth was made possible by a 46-yard interception return by senior Alec Fehr.

“The turnovers were big,” Schartz said. “It set us up with short fields, and we went ahead and converted those turnovers into points. Anytime you can win the turnover battle, it’s huge for your chances of winning.”

After taking a 35-0 lead into the half, the Indians came out firing in the second half, scoring a touchdown on their first drive. This time, Trapp threw for a touchdown, with senior Jonathon Taylor on the receiving end of the 49-yard touchdown pass.

Trapp would finish the game 2-4 passing for 103 yards. The pass to Taylor would be the only touchdown passing.

Manhattan would score once more in the third quarter, putting the Indians up 48-0. Due to KSHSAA rules, a running clock was instituted after that touchdown.

The Indians were able to give the backups some playing time during the fourth quarter, including senior Brady Woborny playing quarterback due to injuries. The backups would not score, leaving Manhattan with the final score of 48-0.

MHS’ next game is against Blue Valley Northwest (2-5) at Bishop Stadium next Friday. This game will also be senior night, as it is the last confirmed home game.

Though Manhattan is 7-0, Picou said the team couldn’t stop improving.

“We just need to keep working on everything,” Picou said. “There’s always room for improvement in everything we do, and we have to just keep going. We have to keep getting better.”