Manhattan High football left little doubt Friday night, marching past the Emporia Spartans for a 51-6 homecoming win at Bishop Stadium.

The Indians (4-2) extended their winning streak to four games and improved to 2-0 in Centennial League play. Manhattan’s defense accounted for three touchdowns in a dominant first half, helping the Indians build a running-clock lead before halftime.

“This was an important game for us. We came off a really big win against Junction City, a very emotional win, and kids played very hard,” head coach Joe Schartz said. “We just challenged them. We need we need to continue this momentum. We need to continue to act like champions, so that we can continue to chase our goal of of being state champions. And the kids really came out of locker room the right way.”

Junior quarterback Mclain Aslin continued his strong play after a career rushing performance against Junction City last week, breaking off a 45-yard touchdown run in the second quarter. He had four carries for 86 yards before exiting at the break, averaging 21.5 yards per carry.

Emporia, which plans to leave the Centennial League after the 2027 season, fell to 2-4 and continued its struggles against Manhattan. The Spartans have lost 23 consecutive league games dating back to 2021, including 12 straight against the Indians. Emporia’s last win over Manhattan came in 2012.

The Indians wasted little time getting started.

After receiving the opening kickoff, Manhattan marched down the field before senior Joe Mortensen finished the drive with a 19-yard touchdown run. Kicker Acie Stewart converted the two-point attempt on a swinging-gate play to give MHS an 8-0 lead.

The defense took over from there.

Senior Max Evans-Pryor forced a fumble with a strip sack at the Emporia 20-yard line, and fellow senior linebacker Caleb Manwarren scooped up the ball and returned it for a touchdown.

Sophomore Adonis Dunnigan added to the lead with a 50-yard interception return for a touchdown, officially scoring in all three phases for Manhattan this fall. The Indians led 24-0 at the end of the first quarter.

Emporia threatened on its next possession, but the Indians struck again defensively. Homecoming king Kadin Dibbini recovered a fumble and returned it 89 yards for another touchdown, pushing Manhattan’s lead to 31-0 with 9:08 remaining in the second quarter.

“Without the turnovers, it would have been a different game,” Schartz said. “It would have been a different game because Emporia’s philosophy is to control the clock and keep the ball away from the offense. Those turnovers are very costly for Emporia.”

Manhattan’s offense had gone about 14 minutes of game time without taking a snap from scrimmage before returning to the field. Aslin needed just one play to make an impact, breaking loose for a 45-yard touchdown run.

A shanked Emporia punt gave the Indians another short field, and senior E.J. Massenburg capped the ensuing possession with a three-yard touchdown run. The Indians’ varsity offense matched the defense with three scores in the half.

Stewart’s extra point sent Manhattan into halftime with a 45-0 lead, securing the running clock for reserves in the second half.

Emporia broke the shutout with a passing touchdown in the third quarter, but Manhattan responded with a 35-yard rushing touchdown by Caleb Brumbaugh in the final minutes of the fourth quarter.

Up next, Manhattan heads to Topeka High for a Thursday night matchup at Hummer Sports Complex.

MANHATTAN 51,

EMPORIA 6

Manhattan (4-2) — 24; 21; 0; 6; — 51

Emporia (2-4) — 0; 0; 6; 0; — 6

SCORING SUMMARY

Manhattan — Mortensen 19-yard TD run, 2-pt. good by Stewart, 8:41 1Q

Manhattan — Manwarren 20-yard scoop-and-score, 2-pt. good by Aslin, 7:31 1Q

Manhattan — Dunnigan 50-yard pick-six, 2 pt. good by Gladin, 5:44 1Q

Manhattan — Dibbini 89-yard scoop-and-score, PAT good by Stewart, 9:08 2Q

Manhattan — Aslin 45-yard TD run, PAT good by Stewart, 6:44 2Q

Manhattan — Massenburg 3-yard TD run, PAT good by Stewart, 3:01 2Q

Emporia — LeBlanc 20-yard TD pass from Claibourn, 2 pt. no good, 4:45 3Q

Manhattan — Brumbaugh 35-yard TD run, 2 pt. no good, 2:00 4Q

INDIVIDUAL STATS

Passing — Manhattan: Aslin [0-2-0]. Emporia: Claiborn [1-3-20-1]

Rushing — Manhattan: Aslin [4-86-1], Massenburg [4-27-1], Mortensen [2-46-1]. Emporia: Claiborn [8-8], Rodecap [8-41], Collins [16-69], Kirk [4-9], LeBlanc [5-6]

Receiving — Emporia: LeBlanc [1-20-1]