The Manhattan High Junior Varsity football team exploded offensively Monday night, hitting the half century mark in points over Washburn Rural. The Indians rushed for seven touchdowns, with six coming from tenth grade running back Kha’Mario Davis and one from tenth grade wide receiver Colton Burmeier.
“The kids did what they were supposed to do, played extremely, extremely hard and that’s all we ask of them,” head coach DeShawn Fogle said.
The game started in favor of the Junior Blues from Washburn Rural, with an early interception on defense setting up a Blues’ 56-yard touchdown pass giving them a 6-0 start. Manhattan would respond on the next drive with a 48-yard touchdown rush of their own, tying it at six, before a two-point conversion put the Indians up 8-6 before the end of the first quarter.
The Indians would explode in the second quarter, which started off with an interception by tenth grade defensive back Kody Kemp. One play later, Manhattan was up 16-6 behind a rushing touchdown from Davis. Manhattan ran for four touchdowns before the half was over and had a 34- 6 lead before giving up a last minute touchdown to the Blues. The Indians would also notch four turnovers in the second quarter, with two fumble recoveries and a turnover on downs after the interception that started the quarter.
“The D-line is getting a lot of pressure flying around, and the DBs are covering long enough for them to get there,” assistant coach Trevin Weins said after the first half.
In the second half the offense would let off of the gas a little bit, only scoring 14 more points with two rushing touchdowns. The defense would pitch a shutout in the second half, with another turnover and three sacks against the Blues.
“Once we figured out that their offensive line was slow, all we had to do was get off the ball fast and get past them before they knew what to do,” defensive lineman Peirson Linck, senior, said.
Davis had an outstanding night rushing, with seven rushes of 15 or more yards and six touchdowns including the 48 yarder on the second drive.
Offensive Lineman Gary Warders led the offensive line, who held the Washburn Rural defensive linemen in front of them all night, opening holes for the running backs.
The Indians play Emporia on the road next Monday, October 2.
