In any case, Manhattan High football coach Joe Schartz knows his team has room for improvement.

The same is true now after the Indians dropped a 21-14 decision to Hayden last week, the team’s first loss of the year.

“This week, and every week, is about us getting better,” Schartz said. “We had a test last Friday night, and we didn’t pass the test. So we have to get better. The positive is we get to go out there this Friday night and play, and we need to execute better.”

The Indians now turn their attention to Highland Park on the road this Friday.

Last week, Hayden quarterback Dallas Crittenden completed 17-of-21 passes for 168 yards. Schartz explained that he hopes to see improvement against the Scots in the defensive department, specifically against the pass.

“I’d like to see some improvement defending the pass,” Schartz said. “We didn’t give up the big play [against Hayden], which is a positive, but we gave up a lot of yards in the passing game. When it comes down to third downs and fourth downs, we have to execute defensively and get their offense on the field.”

On the offensive side of the ball, he’d like to communicate better with his team.

“There were times that we didn’t execute [against Hayden],” Schartz said. “We lacked in communication as far as getting lined up and formations and personnel.”

Senior linebacker A.J. Pablo said stopping the Scots’ offensive line will prove a test for Manhattan.

“They have a pretty good-sized line,” Pablo said. “It’s going to be a challenge to get them off the ball. They have a good start off the ball.”

Friday’s game marks the first of the season for fellow senior linebacker Adam Al-Soltani, who was suspended for the first three games. Pablo said it’s Al-Soltani’s competitiveness that adds to the Indians’ defense.

“He just has something inside of him,” Pablo. “He’s always flying around. He wants to be involved in every play. It’s a great thing to have inside of a linebacker.”

Junior quarterback Ian Trapp, who before last Friday had accounted for nine of Manhattan’s 14 touchdowns on the season, managed just one against Hayden. Despite last week’s struggles he said the team plans to stick to its run-oriented offense.

“Last Friday, they just outworked us. They beat us at our game,” Trapp said. “I don’t think we need to fall back off of our stuff. So I think we can keep running. I think it’ll work. We just need to figure some stuff out.”

Manhattan is dealing with a couple injuries. Junior running back Keiadrain McDonald tore his PCL on Sept. 4 against Shawnee Heights. McDonald said he hopes to return Oct. 2 against Topeka West, but Schartz wasn’t as specific.

“He’s improving,” Schartz said. “It depends on how the process goes of how early he’ll return.”

Also injured is junior offensive lineman Wes Conrow, who broke his finger last week against Hayden. Schartz wasn’t particular about Conrow’s anticipated return date.

“It just depends on how it heals,” Schartz said. “There’s a chance he could be back before the end of the season.”

Friday’s game is set to kick off at 7 p.m. in Topeka.