BOZEMAN, Mont. — This week high school football season is finally back in the Treasure State and last season’s Class B State Champs, the Manhattan Tigers, are eager to defend their title.
“There’s nothing better than practicing all week to get ready for that Friday Night Lights,” Manhattan head football coach Wes Kragt said. “Heading out on that field, our community is so great. We have a ton of support that brings such a good atmosphere. These kids, they’re pretty self-motivated themselves. They’re ready to have another chance at it and make another run, and they were able to experience that feeling the last three years. Our seniors have played in the state championship three years in a row, and so they want nothing more than to go out and play in another one.”
Manhattan football ready to defend Class B title in 2026. (PHOTO: NBC Montana)
Manhattan went undefeated last season and defeated rival Three Forks in the State Championship after falling short in the big game the previous two seasons. This year they return key starters like Brayden Zikmund, Tyson Pavlik and others.
“We know that all our opponents are going to be tough, coming after us, coming off a state championship, and we’re just going to have that humble mind that it’s anybody’s game, but we’re going to come in ready to play. We know that people are going to be out for blood just because I mean we’re the reigning state champions, and so we’re coming in knowing that everybody’s coming for us, but I mean, we’re also going for them. We’re not backing down from anybody.”
Zikmund was a Class B all-state honoree at wide receiver, safety and punt returner last season. On offense he racked up 1,839 yards and 24 touchdowns for the Tigers. On defense he totaled 12 interceptions (two pick-sixes) and 56 tackles. He also added two punt return touchdowns. Over the offseason Zikmund committed to the University of Montana.
“Brayden’s a good kid,” Kragt said. “He’s a great leader, great athlete. We’re excited for the opportunity that he’s going to get between him and Matthew (Fenno) of having that kind of that double receiver, having one on each side. It really helps our offense to be able to have two athletes out there that can just go get the ball on anyone that they’re up against, and so we’re excited to have him back, and he put in a ton of work this summer along with our other kids. And so, it will be interesting to see how he does this year.”
Fenno totaled 702 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns in his junior season to go along with 8 interceptions and 48 tackles. He currently has offers from Carroll College, Rocky Mountain College and Dickinson State University.
Senior quarterback Tyson Pavlik had 2,890 total yards and 33 touchdowns last season. He currently has offers from Montana State Northern, Carroll College, Rocky Mountain College and Dickinson State University. This season his team believes that he is going to take another step.
Manhattan football ready to defend Class B title in 2026. (PHOTO: NBC Montana)
“He was a great quarterback last year, but he put on size, and I mean, he can sling the ball now,” Zikmund said. “I think he’s gonna be one of the players that everybody’s got to watch out for.”
Pavlik’s effort this offseason has not gone unnoticed by his head coach either.
“He’s one of the hardest working kids I’ve ever met,” Kragt said. “He’s out here every day. He has kids out here throwing, going through plays, and so you know, anything you ask of him as a leader, he’s gonna do. He lives right next to the school, so every weight room, every open field, he’s at, and just trying to work hard and get better.”
Kragt also says there are some underclassmen who have shined throughout the offseason that could have a big impact this year in Manhattan.
Manhattan football ready to defend Class B title in 2026. (PHOTO: NBC Montana)
“We got about four or five sophomores on both sides of the ball that have been putting in a ton of work,” Kragt said. “Great group of kids: the Dehaans (Weston and Easton), Jack Douma, Caleb Fenno, and Caleb Fountaine. So there’s five or six there that’ll kind of rotate in and play for us, and that also helps us build for the next year as well.”
The Tigers will begin their title defense this Friday at home against Anaconda.