The Manhattan High football team hosted Wichita East to win Regionals on Friday.

MHS started off the game strong, scoring on two out of their first three possessions to make the score 14-0 halfway through the second quarter. Manhattan would close out the half with two field goals from senior Braxton Frey as the defense would only allow one touchdown to lead 20-6 going into the half.

To start the second half Manhattan scored two rushing touchdowns and allow another touchdown to stay on top of East 33-12 at the start of the fourth. To end out the half the Manhattan defense allowed two more touchdown for East and their offense would score a touchdown and a field goal to end East’s season in a 48-20 win for Manhattan.

The passing game was slow all night for Manhattan but their run game showed up big time. With a combination of seniors Jason Sanchez, Keenan Schartz and Deandre Aukland and sophomore Jaydin Hudley, Manhattan scored six touchdowns on the ground and ran for 435 yards to lead them past East. 

The MHS defense showed up and stayed strong all night as they only allowed 20 points all night.

“We’ve been working hard in the weight room so I feel like all of us came together and we’ve been able to run the ball well,” Aukland said of their run game 

Manhattan’s next game is on Friday vs Northwest for round three of the playoffs.