{"id":69734,"date":"2025-12-13T13:22:07","date_gmt":"2025-12-13T13:22:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/69734\/"},"modified":"2025-12-13T13:22:07","modified_gmt":"2025-12-13T13:22:07","slug":"manhattans-jj-dunnigan-named-fall-all-flint-hills-male-athlete-of-the-year-sports","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/69734\/","title":{"rendered":"Manhattan&#8217;s JJ Dunnigan named Fall All-Flint Hills Male Athlete of the Year | Sports"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Before he became the most dynamic athlete in Manhattan High\u2019s football history, before the title-game heroics, before the Miami pledge and the All-State recognition, JJ Dunnigan was simply a kid recovering from foot surgery, wondering where football would take him.<\/p>\n<p>Two years later, it has taken him everywhere.<\/p>\n<p>The senior wide receiver and defensive back powered Manhattan to a state championship, delivered the most dominant postseason stretch of his career and cemented himself as the most naturally gifted player head coach Joe Schartz has ever coached.<\/p>\n<p>For all of it, Dunnigan is The Mercury\u2019s Fall All-Flint Hills Male Athlete of the Year.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cFirst off, it\u2019s a blessing, and I couldn\u2019t do it without God,\u201d he said of earning the honor. \u201cIt reminds me of the work I put in from a young age.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Schartz has coached multiple state champions and Division I players, but when he\u2019s asked where Dunnigan ranks, the answer is immediate.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019ve never coached anybody as talented as him at a young age,\u201d Schartz said. \u201cHe\u2019s still just 17\u2026He\u2019s reached a high level very early on.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Then comes the line that frames Dunnigan\u2019s place in Manhattan football history.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHe\u2019s the best that I\u2019ve ever coached,\u201d Schartz said. \u201cWe\u2019ve had a lot of good football players come through here, but the things he can do and how dominant he was \u2014 he\u2019s the best.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Schartz points to two plays that sealed it: Dunnigan\u2019s 68-yard shake-and-bake sprint before halftime and his 50-yard tipped-pass touchdown in the third quarter of the 6A state championship.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe two catches he made in the state championship game this year were very memorable,\u201d Schartz said. \u201cThe catch before halftime gave us breathing room, and the circus catch for the second touchdown \u2014 I\u2019ll never forget that.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>One year ago, Dunnigan walked off the field at Emporia State\u2019s Welch Stadium with what was likely the most painful memory of his high school career \u2014 a potential game-winning pass deflected out of his hands in the state championship loss to Gardner Edgerton.<\/p>\n<p>                        <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAQAAAADCAQAAAAe\/WZNAAAAEElEQVR42mM8U88ABowYDABAxQPltt5zqAAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==\" alt=\"mer-spt-jjdunnigan-3\" class=\"img-responsive lazyload full default\" width=\"1763\" height=\"1175\" data- data-\/><\/p>\n<p>Manhattan High\u2019s JJ Dunnigan drives on a punt return against Wichita Southeast linebacker Marcus Johnson during the Indians\u2019 45-6 regional round playoff win over the Golden Buffaloes Nov. 7 at Bishop Stadium. On special teams, Dunnigan returned six kicks for touchdowns \u2014 three punts and three kickoffs \u2014 and amassed 854 return yards, averaging 40 yards per touch.<\/p>\n<p>                                    <a href=\"https:\/\/themercury.com\/users\/profile\/Lewis%20Marien\" rel=\"author nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Staff photo by Lewis Marien<\/a><\/p>\n<p>This year, he refused to let that be the story. With Dunnigan on both sides, Manhattan dominated Olathe Northwest 27-0 for the 6A state title.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt meant a lot, not only to me but to my teammates who were with me when we lost that game,\u201d Dunnigan said. \u201cWe worked hard in the summer and throughout the season, even taking a couple of losses. But we knew that we were still going to get the win.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>His performance in the 2025 postseason became the stamp of Manhattan\u2019s late-season rise. His touchdowns flipped games. His defensive presence locked down opponents. His leadership in the secondary anchored the state\u2019s best unit.<\/p>\n<p>And when the Indians needed him most in the state championship, he delivered one of his greatest games. And yet it felt like Dunnigan just being Dunnigan.<\/p>\n<p>When you ask Dunnigan what drives him, and he begins somewhere deeper than football. He says his relationship with God strengthened significantly in high school.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cEver since I started going to church and growing that relationship, a lot of things have been going well,\u201d he said. \u201cGod has done a lot for me \u2014 not just in football, but in growing as a person.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Football has been in his blood for as long as he can remember. His father, former Kansas State defensive back James Dunnigan, played and trained him from the time he was four years old. But there was a moment he nearly went another direction.<\/p>\n<p>A foot injury in his sophomore year forced him to miss the entire basketball season \u2014 but it became a turning point.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI hurt my foot and had to get surgery, so I couldn\u2019t play the whole basketball season,\u201d Dunnigan said. \u201cAfter that, I stopped playing basketball and focused on football. It was a hard time \u2014 being out for three months when I wanted to get offers and looks from coaches \u2014 but putting all my eggs in one basket (football) turned out good for me.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Dunnigan stayed involved beyond the field, too \u2014 running track, joining Black Student Union and eventually winning homecoming king.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI want to be remembered as not only a great player, but someone on the team that won the state championship, someone who was in the hallways, had fun with other people, and was always good to be around,\u201d Dunnigan said.<\/p>\n<p>Dunnigan finished his Manhattan career with two Class 6A state championship rings \u2014 one as a freshman and one as a senior \u2014 along with a state runner-up finish as a junior. In his two seasons as a varsity two-way starter, he totaled 1,010 receiving yards, averaging 21.5 yards per catch with 14 touchdowns.<\/p>\n<p>On defense, he recorded 151 tackles, eight tackles for loss, four interceptions and 15 pass breakups, despite opponents rarely throwing in his direction. On special teams, he returned six kicks for touchdowns \u2014 three punts and three kickoffs \u2014 and amassed 854 return yards, averaging 40 yards per touch when opponents dared to kick to him.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt doesn\u2019t matter offensively or defensively \u2014 that\u2019s a matchup you know you\u2019re going to win,\u201d Schartz said. \u201cI\u2019ve coached guys you were pretty sure would win, but there was always a question. With JJ, you knew you were going to win that matchup. It\u2019s a benefit offensively, defensively, and on special teams.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>                        <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAQAAAADCAQAAAAe\/WZNAAAAEElEQVR42mM8U88ABowYDABAxQPltt5zqAAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==\" alt=\"mer-spt-jjdunnigan-2\" class=\"img-responsive lazyload full default\" width=\"1763\" height=\"1175\" data- data-\/><\/p>\n<p>Manhattan High\u2019s JJ Dunnigan runs along the Olathe Northwest sideline during the Indians\u2019 27-0 6A state championship win against the Ravens Nov. 29 at Welch Stadium in Emporia. In his two seasons as a varsity two-way starter, Dunnigan accumulated 1,010 receiving yards, averaging 21.5 yards per catch with 14 touchdowns.<\/p>\n<p>                                    <a href=\"https:\/\/themercury.com\/users\/profile\/Lewis%20Marien\" rel=\"author nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Staff photo by Lewis Marien<\/a><\/p>\n<p>And now, Miami gets him next.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s going to be exciting to watch,\u201d Schartz said. \u201cThey\u2019re getting a player who can help them win, and I think we\u2019re going to be seeing a lot of him on the field for Miami.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Dunnigan feels it, too. When Miami earned a College Football Playoff berth last week, he felt a jolt of what his future may hold.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI was excited when I saw them make it,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019m proud of the players and coaches and the development I\u2019m seeing. It\u2019s exciting for me.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Before he leaves for Coral Gables as an early enrollee this spring, Dunnigan carries one final message about the place that shaped him.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI learned a lot in my four years at Manhattan,\u201d Dunnigan said. \u201cI grew as a player and a person, and God doesn\u2019t make mistakes. Everything happens for a reason, so I\u2019m blessed.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Schartz feels the same.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHe has had a great career here at Manhattan. We wish him all the best. Hopefully, he always remembers that he was a Manhattan High Indian \u2014 this is his home.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>From the weight room to the biggest moments on Kansas\u2019 brightest stage, JJ Dunnigan bookmarked one of the most remarkable individual careers the program has ever seen, during one of the most dominant stretches in program history.<\/p>\n<p>And now, he carries that legacy \u2014 and a state championship \u2014 with him into the next chapter.<\/p>\n<p>THE MERCURY\u2019S ALL-FLINT HILLS SELECTIONS<\/p>\n<p>How we made our selections: We chose the teams from athletes who we felt represented the top level of the sport this past season. We considered coaches\u2019 recommendations, statistics, class size and postseason success.<\/p>\n<p>FOOTBALL<\/p>\n<p>Player of the Year<\/p>\n<p>JJ Dunnigan, senior, Manhattan<\/p>\n<p>FIRST TEAM<\/p>\n<p>Quarterback<\/p>\n<p>Logan Fulton, junior, Wamego<\/p>\n<p>Running back<\/p>\n<p>Zion Bell, senior, Rock Creek<\/p>\n<p>Cole Frank, senior, Wabaunsee<\/p>\n<p>Wide receiver<\/p>\n<p>Dominic Falco, senior, Wamego<\/p>\n<p>Luke Skinner, junior, Rock Creek<\/p>\n<p>Tight end<\/p>\n<p>Mason Samuels, junior, Council Grove<\/p>\n<p>Offensive line<\/p>\n<p>Garrison Vikander, senior, Manhattan<\/p>\n<p>Ben Ridder, senior, Manhattan<\/p>\n<p>Carter Payne, senior, Manhattan<\/p>\n<p>Cordae Kirksey, senior, Rock Creek<\/p>\n<p>Ryan Heald, senior, Wamego<\/p>\n<p>Defensive line<\/p>\n<p>Evan Middleton, senior, Manhattan<\/p>\n<p>Garrison Vikander, senior, Manhattan<\/p>\n<p>Wade Rottinghaus, senior, Rock Creek<\/p>\n<p>Brody Drogemeier, senior, Wabaunsee<\/p>\n<p>Linebacker<\/p>\n<p>Max Evans-Pryor, junior, Manhattan<\/p>\n<p>Ezra Spiller, senior, Rock Creek<\/p>\n<p>Mason Isch, junior, Wamego<\/p>\n<p>Defensive back<\/p>\n<p>JJ Dunnigan, senior, Manhattan<\/p>\n<p>Nisbyc Johnson, senior, Manhattan<\/p>\n<p>Arden Sylvester, junior, Wamego<\/p>\n<p>Karson Toburen, senior, Rock Creek<\/p>\n<p>Kicker<\/p>\n<p>Jaxon Pendell, junior, Rock Creek<\/p>\n<p>Punter<\/p>\n<p>Garrison Vikander, senior, Manhattan<\/p>\n<p>All-Purpose<\/p>\n<p>Reid Buttrey, junior, Council Grove<\/p>\n<p>SECOND TEAM<\/p>\n<p>Quarterback<\/p>\n<p>Finn Watson, senior, Manhattan<\/p>\n<p>Running back<\/p>\n<p>Kha\u2019Mario Davis, senior, Manhattan<\/p>\n<p>Rielyn Wurtz, senior, Riley County<\/p>\n<p>Wide receiver<\/p>\n<p>Reed McDiffett, junior, Wamego<\/p>\n<p>JJ Dunnigan, senior, Manhattan<\/p>\n<p>Tight end<\/p>\n<p>Brendon Woodard, junior, Riley County<\/p>\n<p>Offensive line<\/p>\n<p>Wade Rottinghaus, senior, Rock Creek<\/p>\n<p>Brock Henningson, senior, Manhattan<\/p>\n<p>Grant Watkins, sophomore, Manhattan<\/p>\n<p>Gunner Gleason, senior, Council Grove<\/p>\n<p>Brody Drogemeier, senior, Wabaunsee<\/p>\n<p>Defensive line<\/p>\n<p>Cordae Kirksey, senior, Rock Creek<\/p>\n<p>Tyler Hutchinson, senior, Council Grove<\/p>\n<p>Kadin Dibbini, junior, Manhattan<\/p>\n<p>Javaris Buchanan, sophomore, Manhattan<\/p>\n<p>Linebacker<\/p>\n<p>Nick Allen, senior, Rock Creek<\/p>\n<p>Liam Nider, sophomore, Manhattan<\/p>\n<p>Bradley Doornbos, junior, Council Grove<\/p>\n<p>Defensive back<\/p>\n<p>Joseph Mortensen, junior, Manhattan<\/p>\n<p>Jacob DeRouchey, senior, Wamego<\/p>\n<p>Noah Valburg, junior, Rock Creek<\/p>\n<p>David McDiffett, junior, Council Grove<\/p>\n<p>Kicker<\/p>\n<p>Prescott Balderson, senior, Manhattan<\/p>\n<p>Punter<\/p>\n<p>Reid Buttrey, junior, Council Grove<\/p>\n<p>All-Purpose<\/p>\n<p>Joseph Mortensen, junior, Manhattan<\/p>\n<p>HONORABLE MENTION<\/p>\n<p>Quarterback<\/p>\n<p>Tate Smith, sophomore, Rock Creek<\/p>\n<p>Kadrick Woodard, junior, Riley County<\/p>\n<p>Luke Stewart, junior, Council Grove<\/p>\n<p>Running back<\/p>\n<p>EJ Massenburg, junior, Manhattan<\/p>\n<p>Cash Threet, junior, Wamego<\/p>\n<p>Wide receiver<\/p>\n<p>Wyatt Gehrt, senior, Wabaunsee<\/p>\n<p>Ja\u2019Marcus Vornes, senior, Manhattan<\/p>\n<p>Tight end<\/p>\n<p>Greyson Wassenburg, senior, Manhattan<\/p>\n<p>Evan Middleton, senior, Manhattan<\/p>\n<p>Karson Toburen, senior, Rock Creek<\/p>\n<p>Karsyn Schoffner, senior, Wabaunsee<\/p>\n<p>Offensive line<\/p>\n<p>Grady Hastert, senior, Rock Creek<\/p>\n<p>Nathaniel Hammond, senior, Riley County<\/p>\n<p>Martin Loecker, junior, Riley County<\/p>\n<p>Matthew Keller, senior, Wabaunsee<\/p>\n<p>Tyler Poovey, junior, Wabaunsee<\/p>\n<p>Defensive line<\/p>\n<p>Roman Eveland, senior, Wamego<\/p>\n<p>Jaran Vega, senior, Riley County<\/p>\n<p>Karsyn Schoffner, senior, Wabaunsee<\/p>\n<p>Linebacker<\/p>\n<p>Brady Durtschi, senior, Manhattan<\/p>\n<p>Talon Conrad, senior, Wamego<\/p>\n<p>Evan Widman, junior, Riley County<\/p>\n<p>Nathaniel Hammond, senior, Riley County<\/p>\n<p>Brendon Woodard, junior, Riley County<\/p>\n<p>Nate Irvin, senior, Blue Valley<\/p>\n<p>Cole Frank, senior, Wabaunsee<\/p>\n<p>Daylan Mzhickteno, senior, Wabaunsee<\/p>\n<p>Defensive back<\/p>\n<p>Michael Hamm, junior, Manhattan<\/p>\n<p>Kody Kemp, senior, Manhattan<\/p>\n<p>Jaxon Pendell, junior, Rock Creek<\/p>\n<p>Rielyn Wurtz, senior, Riley County<\/p>\n<p>Kadrick Woodard, junior, Riley County<\/p>\n<p>Blaise French, senior, Council Grove<\/p>\n<p>Wyatt Gehrt, senior, Wabaunsee<\/p>\n<p>Maddux Weishaar, sophomore, Wabaunsee<\/p>\n<p>CROSS COUNTRY<\/p>\n<p>Wilson Wesch, senior, Manhattan<\/p>\n<p>Patrick Huser, senior, Manhattan<\/p>\n<p>Benjamin Huser, junior, Manhattan<\/p>\n<p>Jaxon Wheeler, freshman, Manhattan<\/p>\n<p>Kyler Grogg, sophomore, Manhattan<\/p>\n<p>Levi Gurgel, freshman, Manhattan<\/p>\n<p>Will Richards, senior, Manhattan<\/p>\n<p>Peyton Parker, senior, Wamego<\/p>\n<p>Logyn Evans, junior, Wamego<\/p>\n<p>Braxton Williams, sophomore, Wamego<\/p>\n<p>Emil Wolfe, senior, Wamego<\/p>\n<p>Luke Ault, senior, Wamego<\/p>\n<p>Isaac Ibendahl, senior, Wamego<\/p>\n<p>James Bearman, senior, Wamego<\/p>\n<p>Liam Johnston, sophomore, Rock Creek<\/p>\n<p>Coltrane Johnston, freshman, Rock Creek<\/p>\n<p>Mason Berggren, senior, Rock Creek<\/p>\n<p>Dylan Nelson, senior, Rock Creek<\/p>\n<p>Colton Davis, freshman, Rock Creek<\/p>\n<p>Cooper Mowry, senior, Rock Creek<\/p>\n<p>Simeon Bohlen, senior, Rock Creek<\/p>\n<p>Jeter Adams, junior, Riley County<\/p>\n<p>Dash Hancock, sophomore, Riley County<\/p>\n<p>Tanner Rhoton, junior, Riley County<\/p>\n<p>Cyrus England, senior, Riley County<\/p>\n<p>Cooper Merriam, sophomore, Riley County<\/p>\n<p>Sam Frese, junior, Riley County<\/p>\n<p>Layton Wilson, freshman, Riley County<\/p>\n<p>Jadyn Picolet, junior, Council Grove<\/p>\n<p>Titus Cobb, junior, Blue Valley<\/p>\n<p>Parker Montgomery, sophomore, Manhattan<\/p>\n<p>SOCCER<\/p>\n<p>Colby Taylor, junior, Manhattan<\/p>\n<p>Mateo Sanchez, freshman, Manhattan<\/p>\n<p>Skylard Buffington, senior, Manhattan<\/p>\n<p>Ian Wassom, senior, Manhattan<\/p>\n<p>Giovanni Espinoza, sophomore, Manhattan<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Before he became the most dynamic athlete in Manhattan High\u2019s football history, before the title-game heroics, before 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