The Manhattan High football team extended their winning streak to 16 games on Friday after a 49-7 win over Hays High School, improving to 3-0 on the season.

Before facing Hays, Manhattan was on a roll, defeating Derby 33-19 and Topeka 55-19.

Going into this week’s game, both teams thought they were in for a battle after a close game in last year’s matchup, but the Indians came to prove them wrong. In the first quarter, Hays failed to score while Manhattan’s senior running back Charles Morgan scored a 33-yard touchdown to take an early lead 7-0.

In the second, Morgan scored his second touchdown of the night with a three-yard run. However, Hays quickly responded with a 78-yard touchdown pass making the score 14-7. On Manhattan’s next drive they were forced to punt but only a few plays later senior Jonathan Willie made an interception. Following the interception junior quarterback Carter Aslin scored a 13-yard touchdown. Hays’ next drive was called short after an interception by senior Elijah McFadden. After the second pick, Manhattan drove down the field and Aslin punched in another touchdown making the score 28-7 going into the half.

“We started off the game a little slow, but we picked it up after the first and we didn’t stop after,” Aslin said. “We all played really well out there and played our part and we need to keep that up for the rest of the season.”

In the third, Manhattan continued to dominate with two more touchdowns, one by junior Jaydin Hudley and another by Morgan, making the score 42-7 with a quarter to go. In the fourth, Wille shined with two more picks including one to end the game as the Indians strolled past Hays with a 49-7 victory.

“We all played really well out there and played our part and we need to keep that up for the rest of the season,” Aslin said.

Manhattan’s next game is this Friday at Washburn Rural.