By Toby Hammes (Manhattan Mercury
Manhattan High football made quick work of its Centennial League foe Emporia on homecoming night Friday, defeating the Spartans 59-0 for a 10th straight year.
The league matchup hasn’t been kind to Emporia lately as the Indians have outscored the Spartans 439-57 over the last decade. Manhattan leads the all-time series 59-14-4.
“I felt our kids had a difficult time of getting focused this week — and rightly so,” head coach Joe Schartz said. “We’re a huge favorite in this game and coming off a rivalry win against Junction City. We did what we had to do here tonight, we played well, and everybody’s healthy.”
The Indians stay perfect at 5-0 while collecting back-to-back shutouts for the first time since 2021 after its dominant Silver Trophy win last week.
“We’ve been spoiled,” Schartz said. Our defense has been (great). Held Junction City to four yards — that’s just not going to happen every week.”
Manhattan advanced its league record to 2-0 halfway through the 2024 season.
Senior quarterback Carter Aslin hit the 2,000-yard mark in varsity career rushing yards, finishing the contest with 66 yards on three carries. Aslin only played during the first half before turning the keys over to backup quarterback Finn Watson.
The running back duo of senior Jaydin Hudley and junior Kha’Mario Davis ran wild against the Spartan defense, combining for five touchdowns and 207 yards.
“(Emporia) should have been able to stop our run with as many people as they had in the box,” Schartz said. “But the kids were running hard, and offensive line was blocking well and continued to get that push up front.”
How it happened
Emporia (0-5) came out aggressive offensively, knowing it had to take advantage of every opportunity it had. The Spartans went 3-for-5 on fourth-down conversions in the first half.
Still, it was the Manhattan High show during the first two quarters. All coming on the ground, the Indians collected 277 yards and a touchdown on every possession in the opening half.
Behind two scores each from Hudley and Davis, Manhattan pounced on Emporia quickly. The Indians’ offense averaged nearly 20 yards per rush attempt during the period.
Though he went 0-for-3 on first-half passing, Aslin joined the rushing touchdown club before halftime, sending the Indians into the break with a 38-0 lead.
“We wanted to run the football and tried some things through the air early and didn’t connect,” Schartz said. “But, you know, there was really no need to throw the ball (while) having so much success on the ground.”
Davis picked up where he left off coming out of the locker room, cashing in for the first three-touchdown performance of his career.
“We need Kha’Mario to continue to (perform),” Schartz said. “He’s getting better every week and looks explosive and strong.”
Manhattan had turned to its backups, allowing quarterback Finn Watson and running back EJ Massenburg to continue to tag on rushing touchdowns. Each rushed for their first score of the season, putting the final touches on the Indians’ win.
Up next for Manhattan is another home contest, welcoming Wichita Northwest who is 5-0.
“We turned the page in the locker room,” Schartz said. “We know how big of a matchup it’s going to be next week….We’re excited about the opportunity to play here at home, and we’re gonna have to play really well to get a (win) in that one.”
MANHATTAN 59, EMPORIA 0
Emporia High (0-5) — 0; 0; 0 ; 0— 0
Manhattan High (5-0) — 16; 22; 14; 7 — 59
SCORING SUMMARY
Manhattan — Hudley 2-yard TD run, 2-pt run by Aslin, 6:36 1Q
Manhattan — Davis 2-yard TD run, 2-pt run by Aslin, 1:22 1Q
Manhattan — Hudley 49-yard TD run, 2-pt run by Aslin, 10:51 2Q
Manhattan — Davis 9-yard TD run, PAT by Vikander, 4:45 2Q
Manhattan — Aslin 18-yard TD run, PAT by Vikander, 1:36 2Q
Manhattan — Davis 9-yard TD run, PAT by Vikander, 9:56 3Q
Manhattan — Watson 4-yard TD run, PAT by Barngrover, 4:32 3Q
Manhattan — Massenburg 56-yard TD run, PAT by Barngrover, 11:50 4Q
INDIVIDUAL STATS
Passing — Manhattan: Aslin 0-3-0; Emporia: Grey 11-17-71
Rushing — Manhattan: Aslin 3-66-1, Hudley 4-86-2, Summerlin 2-61, Davis 8-121-3, Massenburg 2-72-1; Emporia: Crowell 19-51
