Although the Friday night football game against the Hutchinson Salthawks (2-7) didn’t go as expected for Manhattan (8-1), the players expressed a win to be all that matters as a result at this time of year, and a score of 48-21 achieved just that.

“Everyone did their part,” senior BJ Young said. “That’s all that matters at this time of the season.”

Young had himself a night, as he has done many times this year. He racked up four touchdown runs, three of which came in the first quarter alone. He has been a force to be reckoned with this whole season for opposing teams.

Ever since the 27-32, the Tribe have been on point, with seven straight wins and a high confidence team. But the Indians want more, and to get that they are taking it one game at a time.

“We play with an edge because next Friday isn’t guaranteed,” Young said. “Film and practice the next day [is] not guaranteed, it’s survival of the fittest.”

For the seniors, they’re going out and playing for what could be their last game. Senior Sam Shields is using that as motivation and living every moment of it in case it is in fact their last.

“We’re just making sure we make the most of every opportunity we have,” Shields said. “Not taking anything for granted is key and just practicing and playing like it could be our last [game].”

After the first-round win at home, the Indians will be back at Bishop this Friday night facing Lawrence Free State (8-1). The Firebirds will be after revenge as last season the Indians came into Lawrence and got the win against them to advance to the semifinals. The Indians will look to defend their home field this time to advance to the quarter-finals.

“We just need to keep getting better and keep advancing [in the playoffs],” junior quarterback Dayne Aschenbrenner said. “We need to have fewer penalties and better communication.”