Manhattan High went to halftime Friday night trailing Hayden 14-0 and in desperate need of a spark. The Indians were on the verge of losing their customary spot in the Centennial League driver’s seat against a physical Wildcat team that had everything going its way.
Running back Chris Martin provided exactly what MHS was looking for, not just once, but consistently in a second half that saw the Indians rally to win on Joe Trujillo’s 28-yard field goal as time expired.
“Obviously, we need Chris to do a lot for us,” MHS coach Joe Schartz said. “He adds another dimension to our offense when he’s at quarterback. He’s starting to throw the ball a little bit, which makes him even more dangerous. But it was a total team effort.”
Martin started the rally with a 42-yard touchdown run early in the third quarter. He was used in the Wildcat formation at times throughout the game and totaled 128 rushing yards and two scores. Martin threw two passes as well; the second of which tied the game as tight end Jake Olson secured a five-yard score with 5 minutes left.
MHS quarterback Erik Prockish was solid against a tough Hayden defense, completing eight of 15 passes for 131 yards.
After Olson’s score tied the game, Tanaivas Richardson intercepted Hayden QB Jacob Head, giving the Indians a chance to win in regulation with 4:17 to play. Prockish and Martin led MHS down the field, against the wind, and an 18-yard pass play between the two gave Trujillo a shot from the 11-yard-line with two seconds left.
After a pair of Hayden timeouts, Trujillo put the kick right down the middle to send Manhattan to 3-0 on the season and give the Indians their second last-minute victory in three games, this one on Homecoming Night.
“Joe is a captain, elected by his teammates,” Schartz said. “That’s a tribute to Joe and the kind of person he is. He had a tough week of practice, but I’m very proud of him for the way he stepped up to adversity. It’s very satisfying to see a young man who went through a little adversity to come out and have success.”
BELOW: Joe Schartz postgame audio
— Tyler Dreiling
