It felt like a changing of the guard in Class 6A West on Friday night as Manhattan High football continued its grip on the rivalry and dismantled Derby 38–7 at Bishop Stadium.

For the second straight year — and the third time in four seasons — the road to the 6A title game once again runs through Manhattan. The No. 4-seeded Indians (10–2) collected their fifth win over the Panthers in the last six matchups, further solidifying themselves as the new powerhouse on the west side of the bracket.

“Just proud of our kids, our coaches and our program that we’ve been able to raise our level to compete with Derby,” head coach Joe Schartz said. “There was a time where I didn’t think we could, and we’re at that level now. I’m very proud of all the hard work the players, coaches and parents have put in to get us there.”

Manhattan’s defense set the tone by shutting down one of Kansas’ most explosive offenses, forcing multiple turnovers and scoring on a first-half scoop-and-score. Derby hadn’t been held to single digits since 2009.

“They’ve been outstanding all year long,” Schartz said. “Once again, the pressure on the quarterback was immense. We forced him into bad throws, multiple sacks, tackles for loss — just pressure, pressure, pressure. That was the key to the victory.”

Offensively, junior Joseph Mortensen punched in two rushing touchdowns, senior Kha’Mario Davis added a long scoring run, and senior tight end Greyson Wassenberg hauled in a 19-yard touchdown pass from senior playmaker JJ Dunnigan to cap a complete performance.

Manhattan controlled the line of scrimmage throughout the night, allowing its backfield to settle into a rhythm. Davis finished with 16 carries for 122 yards and the score to led Manhattan’s offensive attack.

“I think tonight was Kha’Mario Davis’ best football game that I’ve ever seen him play,” Schartz said. “He doesn’t have the big stats, but his runs were physical, hard, downhill — and it was nice to see him break one to help seal the deal.”

The Indians will advance to face Olathe Northwest, which defeated reigning state champion Gardner Edgerton in the 6A East sub-state final. The state title game will be Nov. 29 at Emporia State’s Welch Stadium.

“It’s a lot of sacrifice from the kids, the parents and the families,” Schartz said of playing through Thanksgiving break. “But that’s the price you pay to win a state championship. This is what you have to do, and the kids understand that. I’m looking forward to a great week.”

How it happened

Both defenses controlled the early rhythm, trading two punts apiece before Manhattan created the first break. After senior Finn Watson threw an interception that functioned like a deep punt and pinned Derby at its own 4-yard line, the Panthers botched a pitch in the backfield. Senior Evan Middleton pounced on the loose ball and carried it into the end zone, giving the Indians a 7–0 lead with 3:22 left in the first quarter.

“We knew they were going to try to run speed option,” Middleton said. “In the moment, I was responsible for the running back, and the quarterback tried to start the pitch over my head. I got a hand in there, saw the ball on the ground and just dove on it. Then I looked up and saw the end zone — I got pretty happy.”

Derby threatened late in the period, driving inside the red zone, but Manhattan’s defense delivered again. Pressure from junior linebacker Max Evans-Pryor forced an off-balance throw, and senior defensive back Nisbyc Johnson snagged his third interception in two games to flip the field before the quarter’s end.

Manhattan capitalized immediately. On the first play of the second quarter, Mortensen powered in his 10th rushing touchdown of the season from nine yards out, extending the lead to 14–0. Another defensive stop gave the offense the ball back, and the Indians marched downfield once more. Mortensen finished the drive the same way, punching in a 5-yard score to make it 21–0 at the 4:11 mark.

Derby finally answered when Da’Von Morrison broke free for a 44-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Blade Clark with 3:21 left in the half. The Panthers carried some momentum into the break, but Manhattan maintained control, leading 21–7 at halftime.

The defenses opened the third quarter with matching fourth-and-short stops, but Manhattan seized momentum on Derby’s next possession. Evans-Pryor jumped on a fumble deep in Panther territory, setting up Prescott Balderson for a 26-yard field goal that pushed the lead to 24–7 with 3:43 remaining in the third.

Moments later, senior Garrison Vikander delivered one of the biggest plays of the night, exploding through the line for a fourth-down sack. On the very next snap, Davis sprinted 41 yards untouched for a backbreaking touchdown that extended the margin to 31–7 with 1:34 left in the quarter.

I’m really proud of my boys,” Davis said of the offensive line. “They came out with the mindset of, ‘I’m going to win every single snap.’”

Manhattan kept pouring it on in the fourth. Dunnigan took a reverse and pulled up to throw, dropping a 19-yard touchdown pass to Wassenberg to make it 38–7 with 8:16 remaining — sealing a dominant second-half performance.

“It felt great,” Dunnigan said of his touchdown pass play. “Scoring in every way in high school — it just felt good.”

Manhattan continued to control the final moments as the familiar scene of a sub-state win unfolded at Bishop Stadium.

MANHATTAN 38,

DERBY 7

Manhattan (10-2) — 7; 14; 10; 7; — 38

Derby (8-4) — 0; 7; 0; 0; — 7

SCORING SUMMARY

Manhattan — Middleton 4-yard scoop and score, PAT good by Balderson, 3:22 1Q

Manhattan — Mortensen 9-yard TD run, PAT good by Balderson, 11:54 2Q

Manhattan — Mortensen 5-yard TD run, PAT good by Balderson, 4:11 2Q

Derby — Morrison 44-yard TD pass from Clark, PAT good, 3:21 2Q

Manhattan — 26-yard FG good by Balderson, 3:43 3Q

Manhattan — Davis 41-yard TD, 1:34 3Q

Manhattan — Dunnigan 19-yard TD pass to Wassenburg, 8:16 4Q

INDIVIDUAL STATS

Passing — Manhattan: Watson 3-7-58-0-1, Dunnigan 1-1-19-1. Derby: Clark 11-23-186-1-1

Rushing — Manhattan: Davis 16-122-1, Watson, 10-25, Mortensen 9-42-2. Derby: Finley 16-96, Clark 13-7

Receiving — Manhattan: Dunnigan 2-23, Middleton 2-54-1. Derby: Castillo 4-52, Cunningham 2-58, Foster 2-20, Morrison 1-17, Bowlin 1-17