Manhattan High football has been here before. Olathe Northwest has never been here. But when the two teams meet Saturday afternoon in Emporia for the Class 6A state championship, both will arrive believing they can walk away with a trophy.
For Manhattan (10–2), this marks the program’s third title-game appearance in four seasons, a run that has firmly reestablished the Indians as one of Kansas’ premier powers.
For Olathe Northwest (9–3), it’s a breakthrough moment — the school’s first-ever state championship appearance after a late-season surge that included last week’s 42–28 upset of two-time defending champion Gardner Edgerton. The Ravens finished 2–7 just two seasons ago, it’s one of the state’s most impressive turnarounds.
Two different histories. Two different paths. One shared destination.
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