Toby Hammes – sports@themercury.com
LAWRENCE — Manhattan High football turned a top-3 Class 6A showdown into a statement Friday night, pummeling Lawrence Free State 47-7 on the road.
“I was very worried, especially with our practice yesterday — we were really off and unfocused,” head coach Joe Schartz said. “I was worried about the weather and the heat — but there’s no doubt we were in better shape and outlasted Free State. I’m very proud of that, and overall just proud of how the kids stepped up and played so well tonight.”
The No. 1 Indians (2-0) defense smothered the No. 3 Firebirds, while their playmakers delivered big moments on both sides of the ball to seal one of the program’s most impressive regular-season wins in recent memory.
“The defense has been playing lights out with pressure and physicality,” Schartz said. “We had big hit after big hit, with lots of guys flying around and getting to the football. I think that just demoralized them when they couldn’t get anything going offensively.”
