Manhattan High football closed out the regular season by blanking Washburn Rural 46-0 on senior night, securing the Centennial League trophy Friday night at Bishop Stadium.

It marked Manhattan’s second league title in three years after rival Junction City took the crown last fall. The Indians will enter the postseason with a 6-2 record, with all six wins following a 0-2 start to the season against Mill Valley and Rockhurst.

Leading the way offensively in the Indians’ win was quarterback Mclain Aslin, who stuffed the stat sheet with a new-career-high rushing total, unofficially 275 yards on 25 attempts. 

Aslin broke his career-high of 184 rushing yards, which he set at Junction City earlier this season. The junior added five total touchdowns, with four coming on the ground. In the air, Aslin went 6-of-9 for 74 yards.

Aslin accounted for all four of Manhattan’s first-half touchdowns, scoring three times on the ground and adding a touchdown pass to junior H-back Liam Nider for his first varsity reception.

The Indians nearly went three-and-out on their opening drive before Aslin converted a crucial third-and-15. The dual-threat quarterback later capped the possession with a 34-yard touchdown run, untouched behind well-timed blocking, to give Manhattan a 7-0 lead.

Washburn Rural went three-and-out on its opening possession, and a big punt return by sophomore Adonis Dunnigan gave Manhattan another opportunity. However, senior Joe Mortensen fumbled, and the Junior Blues briefly regained possession before Manhattan’s defense forced another stop.

Aslin opened the second quarter with an 11-yard touchdown run, extending the Indians’ lead to 14-0.

Washburn Rural crossed midfield on its third possession, but Manhattan’s defense held firm and forced another punt. Dunnigan delivered another big return to set up the Indians in favorable field position.

On third-and-long in the red zone, Aslin connected with Nider for a 14-yard touchdown pass. The extra point was no good, leaving Manhattan with a 20-0 lead with 5:34 remaining in the half.

Senior defensive lineman Kadin Dibbini recorded back-to-back tackles for loss on the Junior Blues’ ensuing drive, including a big sack, to help Manhattan get the ball back with just over two minutes remaining.

That was plenty of time for Aslin. The junior broke free for a 62-yard touchdown run, completing his rushing hat trick and pushing the Indians’ lead to 26-0 with 1:25 left in the half. Manhattan’s two-point conversion attempt failed, and the score held through halftime.

On Manhattan’s first possession of the second half, the Indians found themselves behind the chains, similar to the start to the first half. But Nider’s second reception went for 37 yards on a screen pass into Junior Blue territory, setting up Aslin’s fourth rushing touchdown.

On the ensuing drive, Washburn Rural’s offense built some momentum before Dibbini got to the backfield again, forcing a strip-sack that was recovered by senior nose tackle Cameron Ramos. Dibbini led the Indians’ defense as it continued its dominant season, totaling 17 tackles for loss on the night.

The rest of the third quarter went scoreless, but senior EJ Massenburg found the endzone in the fourth, punching in a 1-yard score with seven minutes remaining. Later in the final frame, Manhattan sent its reserves in to close out the contest.

Manhattan secured the No. 3 seed in 6A West with the win, likely locking in a matchup against league foe Topeka High to open postseason play next Friday.

MANHATTAN 46,

WASHBURN RURAL 0

Manhattan (6-2) — 7; 19; 6; 14; — 46

Washburn Rural (3-5) — 0; 0; 0; 0; — 0

SCORING SUMMARY

Manhattan — Aslin 34-yard TD run, PAT good by Stewart, 6:16 1Q

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

Manhattan — Nider 14-yard TD pass from Aslin. PAT no good, 5:34 2Q

Manhattan — Aslin 62-yard TD run, 2-pt. attempt no good, 1:25 2Q

Manhattan — Aslin 26-yard TD run, PAT no good, 7:12 3Q

Manhattan — Massenburg 1-yard TD run, PAT good by Stewart, 7:10 4Q

Manhattan — Brumbaugh 9-yard TD run, PAT good by Stewart, 1:53 4Q

INDIVIDUAL STATS

Passing — Manhattan: Aslin [6-9-74-1]. Washburn Rural: Wallace [3-8-34]

Rushing — Manhattan: Aslin [25-275-4], Massenburg [10-44-1], Mortensen [3-22], Dunnigan [1-18]. Washburn Rural: Baum [18-57], Lone [8-19], Wallace [3-minus-32]

Receiving — Manhattan: Nider [2-51-1], Hattrup [1-6], Dunnigan [1-7],. Washburn Rural: Vantuyl [2-21], Whiteside [1-13]