Manhattan seeks its fifth win in as many games in 2022 as it visits Emporia in Centennial League play Friday night. The Indians are the top-rated team in 6A and are atop the KSHSAA West standings as they and Olathe North are the only unbeaten teams in 6A. Emporia is 1-3 overall, having dropped three straight since opening the year with a 25-22 overtime win against Pittsburg. Coverage of the matchup begins at 6:30 on Newsradio KMAN.
The only battle between ranked teams in the area tonight sees sixth-ranked Junction City visit number-seven Washburn Rural. The Junior Blues are 3-1 after falling to Manhattan last Friday night at Bishop Stadium, while the Blue Jays improved to 3-1 with their seven point win at Bishop Carroll last week. The Blue Jays sit just behind Manhattan in the West standings and are playing their Centennial League opener.
For the first time in four weeks, Wamego is at home Friday night. The Red Raiders and Coffeyville-Field Kindley tangle in a battle of unbeatens. Wamego’s only home date thus far was the season opening win over Clay Center, as they’ve played at Maryville, Concordia and KC Washington since. The Raiders have scored no fewer than 34 points in any game thus far, while the Golden Tornado has also been strong on offense, scoring 32 or more in each of their last three games. The matchup is a contest between the top two ranked teams in the 4A West standings.
Rock Creek caps a three-game homestand with their contest against Marysville. The Mustangs improved to 3-1 with their first win over Silver Lake in 18 seasons last Friday night, while the Bulldogs are 1-3 on the campaign.
Riley County seeks its second win of the year when it hosts Sabetha in a renewal of a rivalry built on playoff meetings over the years. The teams haven’t played in 10 seasons coming into the Friday contest, though. Sabetha is 3-1 with its only loss to Holton in week two, while the Falcons enter 1-3 overall. Coverage of this contest is on B104.7 tonight, presented by Carpet One of Manhattan.
Blue Valley welcomes in the top ranked 8-Man Division II team as Axtell visits Friday night and Frankfort plays at Linn to round out the area slate.