JUNCTION CITY — The Silver Trophy is headed back to Manhattan.

The Manhattan High football team hit the road to its rival Junction City on Friday night with revenge on its mind, reclaiming the prized Silver Trophy with a 34-7 win at Blue Jay Stadium.

In last year’s rendition of the rivalry, the then-No. 1-ranked Indians were stunned at Bishop Stadium with a 28-14 upset loss, which paved the way for the Blue Jays to take hold of the Centennial League trophy — in addition to the Silver Trophy.

For Manhattan to start its path to reclaiming both, it needed to start Friday night. The Indians moved to 3-2 on the season and started league play 1-0, while Junction City dropped to 1-4 on the year.

Last year, a season-high six turnovers plagued the Indians in the loss. That trend was tested on the opening drive, as Mclain Aslin threw an interception, but the arm punt didn’t cost the Indians as Manhattan’s defense forced a quick three-and-out.

Aslin quickly responded with a career night. It started with leading a big second drive and finishing it with a 12-yard rushing touchdown. The extra point was blocked, but Manhattan took a 6-0 lead.

The junior quarterback continued to lead the Indians’ offense on its next scoring drive, this time finishing with a 19-yard touchdown run. Aslin reached the 100-yard mark on the ground after the score, doing so on just nine carries as Manhattan pushed its lead to 13-0.

After opening with two three-and-outs, Junction City made adjustments and responded with its first score. Quarterback Khaliel Walker connected with Brody Boeckman for a 16-yard touchdown pass, cutting Manhattan’s lead to 13-7.

The Indians answered once again before halftime. A well-designed screen play set up Adonis Dunnigan for a 29-yard touchdown reception from Aslin, giving Manhattan a 20-7 lead with 1:33 remaining in the second quarter. It was Dunnigan’s first career varsity receiving touchdown.

Manhattan carried the 20-7 advantage into halftime, with Aslin already accounting for a career-high 137 rushing yards and three total touchdowns after his early interception.

The Indians came out of the locker room with their hair on fire, collecting three tackles for loss, highlighted by sophomore Max McAlpine’s third sack of the night, stuffing Walker for a 10-yard loss.

The momentum made its way to the offense as well, with senior Joe Mortensen bouncing an impressive run to the outside and finding the end zone for a 37-yard rushing touchdown. Manhattan led 27-7, which would hold until the fourth quarter.

The Indians’ defense continued to disrupt anything Junction City tried to accomplish offensively. Kadin Dibbini joined the fun with a sack, forcing a loss of 10 yards and ultimately another Blue Jay punt to open the fourth quarter.

Manhattan added one more score midway through the fourth quarter, as Aslin completed his hat trick with a six-yard rushing touchdown.

The junior quarterback’s third rushing score of the night pushed the Indians’ lead to 34-7 and his career-high rushing yards led Manhattan to its third straight victory after a 0-2 start.

Manhattan will return home next week to host Emporia in more Centennial League action.

MANHATTAN 34,

JUNCTION CITY 7

Manhattan (3-2) — 6; 14; 7; 7; — 34

Junction City (1-4) — 0; 7; 0; 0; — 7

SCORING SUMMARY

Manhattan — Aslin 12-yard TD run, PAT no good, 3:33 1Q

Manhattan — Aslin 19-yard TD run, PAT good by Stewart, 11:54 2Q

Junction City — Boeckman 16-yard TD catch from Walker, PAT good, 7:57 2Q

Manhattan — Dunnigan 29-yard TD catch from Aslin, PAT good, 1:33 2Q

Manhattan — Mortensen 37-yard TD run, PAT good by Stewart, 5:47 3Q

Manhattan — Aslin 6-yard TD run, PAT good by Stewart, 4:12 4Q

INDIVIDUAL STATS

Passing — Manhattan: Aslin [2-3-37-0-1]. Junction City: Walker [2-8-28-1]

Rushing — Manhattan: Aslin [22-198-3], Massenburg [9-23], Mortensen [12-91-1]. Junction City: Walker [16-4], Proietti [6-19], McNeese [2-31]

Receiving — Manhattan: Dunnigan [2-37-1]. Junction City: McNeese [1-12], Boeckman [1-16-1]