<body><div>Manhattan Indians Football (9-2) is one win away from another State Championship appearance.The No. 3 seeded Indians squeaked past the No. 2 seeded Maize High Eagles (9-2) in a 28-24 nail-biter on Friday the 13th.“We got a great group of kids that just really play hard and continue to fight all the way to the end,” head coach Joe Schartz said. “And so I’m very proud of everyone: the coaches, players, the fans were great. It was a great high school football game.”The road win marks the second-straight season Manhattan has come into The Nest and upset the higher-seeded Eagles in Sectionals. Manhattan High is now set for a heavyweight battle against a familiar foe in Sub-State, as they take on No. 1 Derby (11-0) on Nov. 20.Manhattan and Maize stay neck and neck in first halfOn a chilly night in Maize, Kansas, the Indians struck first, courtesy of a rushing touchdown by junior McLain Aslin on the first drive of the game. With 30 seconds left in the first quarter, Maize got on the board with a rushing touchdown of their own, knotting the score up at 7 apiece.In the second quarter, both teams traded touchdowns to bring the score up to a 14-14 tie. And with about 30 seconds left in the first half, Aslin hooked up with junior Tyson Hattrup for a 13-yard TD to go up 21-14.Costly Manhattan fumbles keep Maize in the fightThe Eagles came out hungry in the second half and added a touchdown and field goal to the board while forcing fumbles on back-to-back Indians drives. This allowed Maize to take their first lead of the game, 24-21, with 7:40 remaining in the fourth quarter.“In big games like this, you have to be masters of your emotions,” Schartz said. “And it’s not going to be easy …But we just all kept battling.” Aslin and Nider connect for game-winning touchdownDown three with 2:28 left in the game, the Indians offense faced fourth-and-3 with their season hanging in the balance. Junior Liam Nider, who had just two catches going into the game, knew before the play that the ball was coming to him.“I knew exactly where it was going,” he said. “And I knew I had to get open for it.”Aslin delivered an on-point pass to Nider for a 19-yard gain, keeping the Indians offense on the field. A few plays later, Aslin and Nider connected again, this time for a 13-yard touchdown to put Manhattan back up with 52 seconds left in the game. “I was nothing but hype,” Nider said. “I was so excited. I knew that we were up and we had 50 seconds to hold, and then I knew we could do it because we had a great defense.”Nider was right. And the Indians’ defense held firm to seal the victory.“Liam’s great,” Aslin said. “I mean, I’ve been throwing to him since middle school. He’s got great hands.” Aslin had quite a performance of his own. The dual-treat signal caller accounted for all four of the Indians’ touchdowns, notching two on the ground and two through the air.“Just an incredible performance,” Nider said. “Whether he’s running the ball or he’s passing the ball, he just competes and continues to be dominant.”Manhattan players step up amidst injury issuesWith injuries to two key starters — senior Max Evans-Pryor and sophomore Adonis Dunnigan — Schartz was pleased to see his players rise to the occasion.“Just happy for the kids battling adversity,” Schartz said. “Battling a tough Maize team down here on their home field. We had multiple injuries. One guy goes down, another guy steps up.”Derby to host Manhattan in Sub-StateJust one win separates the Indians from reaching their fourth State Championship game in five seasons. But that win will have to be against the undefeated Derby Panthers on the road.The game will mark the fifth-straight postseason Manhattan and Derby face off. The Indians earned victories in three of their last four playoff meetings against the Panthers. <ul><li>In 2025, Manhattan beat Derby 38-7 at home in Sub-State.</li><li>In 2024, Manhattan beat Derby 31-21 on the road in Sub-State. </li><li>In 2023, Manhattan lost to Derby 23-21 at home in Sectionals. </li><li>In 2022, the Indians defeated Derby 28-23 at home in Sub-State.</li></ul>“It just seems like for the longest time, it’s been Derby and Manhattan,” Schartz said. “And this year’s no different. Two great high school football programs, and it’s going to be a great game at Derby next Friday.”</div></body>

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Manhattan Indians Football (9-2) is one win away from another State Championship appearance. The No. 3 seeded Indians squeaked past the No. 2 seeded Maize High Eagles (9-2) in a 28-24 nail-biter on Friday the 13th. “We got a great group of kids that just really play hard and continue...

Football advances to Sub-State

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Manhattan Indians Football (9-2) is one win away from another State Championship appearance. The No. 3 seeded Indians squeaked past the No. 2 seeded Maize 

Football advances to Sub-State

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