Manhattan High football will host its second straight postseason game Friday night at Bishop Stadium, meeting Wichita Southeast in a Class 6A regional matchup with a sectional berth on the line.
Manhattan (7-2), the No. 4 seed, enters off a 47-15 win over Garden City in last week’s playoff opener. Wichita Southeast (7-2), the No. 5 seed, is riding a four-game winning streak and coming off a 7-0 shutout of Wichita Heights — part of the program’s first winning season since 2008 under second-year head coach Corby Milleson.
Southeast leans on a ball-control flexbone rushing attack that averages more than 200 yards per game, led by running back Kedrick Harrison, who has eclipsed that mark in each of the last four games. Quarterback Mack O’Bar manages the option structure, with Jeno Jones rotating in when a more dynamic run threat is needed. O’Bar’s twin brother, Will, is a two-way starter at receiver and safety.
“They create problems with how physical they are,” Manhattan head coach Joe Schartz said. “They’ll take things away, and there are only a few things you can do — and you better be able to do them well. It’s a really aggressive, in-your-face pressure defense, and they love to be physical.”
The matchup figures to come down to execution at the line of scrimmage and discipline on early downs.
“Defensively, we need to win on first down,” Schartz said. “If we can get a tackle for loss or no gain and get that flexbone behind the chains, then we can force them to do something they’re not as comfortable with — throwing the ball. That’s definitely a key.”
Manhattan’s defense, which has improved as key players returned from injury in recent weeks, will not get a full-speed flexbone look in practice — something Schartz acknowledged as a factor in how quickly adjustments must happen in-game.
“We’ve seen the flexbone with Emporia and in the past against Gardner-Edgerton, so there is familiarity,” he said. “But the problem is getting a quality look in practice. We’re not going to get that from our scout team. So we’ll have to stress the game plan and make adjustments as it goes during the game.”
Offensively, Manhattan expects the same physical challenge.
“We have to match their aggression,” Schartz said. “We have to get off the ball. Everything they do is predicated on getting penetration and crossing our face, and we cannot allow that. We need to pick our spots wisely when we throw and stay away from turnovers.”
Turnover margin has been a defining storyline in Manhattan’s season. In the Indians’ two losses — at Wichita Northwest and home against Junction City — giveaways derailed drives. In last week’s win, Manhattan played clean and controlled tempo.
“We protected the ball — and that’s the difference in the game,” Schartz said. “Our two losses all came down to turnovers. So we need to continue to clean things up and be more disciplined.”
Senior quarterback Finn Watson has found rhythm as a runner and decision-maker, while junior Joe Mortensen has settled into a larger role taking snaps in short-yardage and quarterback run situations.
“Finn has done a nice job running the ball,” Schartz said. “He lowers his pads and finishes runs. And Joe continues to get more comfortable — he’s a gifted runner.”
The Indians also returned nose tackle Javaris Buchanan to the defensive front last week, adding size and depth inside.
“Javaris adds depth and some size,” Schartz said. “He’s a competitor. He’s a little out of shape and we’ll have to get him back into game shape, but it’s definitely good to have him back.”
The status of senior playmaker JJ Dunnigan remains day-to-day after rolling his ankle in the win over Garden City.
“He’s still day to day,” Schartz said. “He’s limited in practice, and we’ll find out as the week goes along.”
Manhattan will play its final guaranteed home game Friday. A win likely sets up a trip to No. 1 seed Maize next week — though Wichita East remains a potential opponent if it pulls the upset.
“It’s always nice to be at home,” Schartz said. “The kids are comfortable, and hopefully we have a good turnout and strong support. It could be our last home game at Bishop, so it’s special for these seniors, and I hope they go out there and perform well.”
Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday at Bishop Stadium.