CLASS 6A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
 
OLATHE NORTHWEST (9-3) VS. MANHATTAN (10-2)
 
1 p.m. Saturday at Welch Stadium, Emporia
 

 
MANHATTAN TRAVELS ADVERSITY-FILLED PATH TO MAINTAIN RECENT STANDARD
 
For years midway through his 17-year tenure as Manhattan head coach, Joe Schartz felt he had teams that were every bit as capable of playing for a state championship as the ones he’s had in during the Indians’ recent run which now has reached three title appearances in the past four seasons.
 
“We had some very good teams and just could never get over that hurdle,” Schartz said.
 
“That hurdle” was Derby, which ruled the west side of the Class 6A bracket with seemingly an iron fist for nearly a decade. Starting in 2013, the Panthers played in eight of nine state championship games with Hutchinson the only team to deny them nine straight appearances, making the finals in 2014.
 
Four times during that span, Manhattan saw its own season end at the hands of the Panthers, including three straight years from 2017-19 with the 2018 loss in the state semifinals.
 
In 2022, Manhattan finally conquered its nemesis, beating Derby 28-23 in the state semifinals. The momentum of that win propelled the Indians to the state title that season – the program’s first since 1988 – and also started the program on the trajectory it currently is riding.
 
After Derby denied Manhattan a repeat trip in 2023 with a 23-21 quarterfinal win, the Indians have won the last two semifinal showdowns with the Panthers. That included a dominating 38-7 win last week that has Manhattan back at Emporia for a shot at another state title.
 
“It was crucial to get over the hump and finally clear the hurdle that was Derby,” Schartz said. “We beat them back in 2010, but then the next five times we played them, they knocked us out of the playoffs. So finally in 2022 we were able to beat them in the first game of the regular season and then again in sub-state and I think it just set the tone for the program to let all the kids know it was possible to beat Derby and go to a state championship game.
 
“We’ve been pretty fortunate to have some good runs here of late and the kids are expecting to go to state championship games. We’ve definitely raised the bar.”
 
After facing Gardner Edgerton in each of its last two state championship game appearances – winning 21-20 in double overtime in 2022 and losing a 36-33 nail-biter last year – Manhattan (10-2) will have a new foe across the field in Saturday’s 1 p.m. title game in Emporia. Olathe Northwest denied a third Manhattan-Gardner showdown by upsetting the Trailblazers in rather convincing fashion with a 42-28 semifinal victory.
 
It will be the first state championship game appearance for the Ravens (9-3), who had also knocked off one-loss Olathe West in the quarterfinals with a 34-21 upset.
 
“Olathe Northwest is definitely a hot team right now,” Schartz said. “They’ve hit their stride and are playing really good football. They’re going to be a tough opponent.”
 
Manhattan’s path back to the title game has been anything but a smooth one. The Indians started off the season in impressive fashion, demolishing Free State 47-7 in Week 2 and then fighting off a red-hot Hays team 10-8 in Week 3 after the Indians had upset preseason 6A No. 1 Derby and top-ranked Choctaw (Okla.) in their first two games.
 
But just when it looked like the Indians may very well run the table, a rash of injuries began to decimate them. A total of 13 different starters missed time with leading rusher Kha’Mario Davis going down in the Hays win and then-second-leading rusher Maclin Aslin going down the following week against Junction City.
 
With returning Top 11 three-way standout JJ Dunnigan also missing four games, the Indians hit a rough patch that saw them fall to rival Junction City 28-14 in Week 4 and then to No. 2 Wichita Northwest 40-13 in Week 6.
 
“We went through some difficult times, especially with the injury bug there in the midseason,” Schartz said. “To have that many kids was unprecedented. I’ve never had a team be so injured. During that time we had injuries, we had people playing out of position out of necessity, But the kids have worked to get back and I think we’re down only two guys now. Everybody’s back at their right position and we’re playing some good football.”
 
As tough as the injuries were to deal with, the Indians also had some revelations as different players stepped up to fill the voids. After logging only minimal to zero carries in the first four games, back EJ Massenburg, Max Evans-Pryor and Joseph Mortenson carved out niches in the backfield with Evans-Pryor and Mortensen pulling double duty as defensive starters as well.

That trio has combined for 1,089 yards and 19 touchdowns on the ground to complement Davis, who returned and leads the team with 803 rushing yards. Mortensen’s 11 TDs are a team high, 10 coming in the last five weeks.
 
“When one guy goes down, somebody has to step up,” Schartz said. “We were putting kids in there and they were performing well. It created more depth and got some guys experience earlier than we thought they might get in there and in the long run it has helped us.”
 
Since getting back to as close to full strength as possible, Manhattan has looked maybe even more impressive than it did at the start of the season. The Indians finished the regular season with a 43-0 shutout of Washburn Rural and after beating Garden City for the second time this season to start the postseason, the Indians have reeled off three straight impressive wins.
 
Manhattan blew past a Wichita Southeast team enjoying its best season in more than a decade with a 45-6 victory. In the quarterfinals, the Indians knocked off No. 1 and undefeated Maize with a statement-making 55-31 victory. Manhattan outscored the Eagles 21-0 in the third quarter to blow that game open.
 
Facing a Derby team in the semifinals that was fresh off its most impressive win of the season – a 63-21 dismantling of Wichita Northwest – Manhattan put the clamps on the Panthers in the second half, outscoring them 17-0 after the break for the 38-7 victory.
 
Instead of what potentially looked like could be a third meeting with Gardner, Manhattan has a new foe to prepare for with Northwest.
 
“It’s something different for sure and it’s going to be a challenge,” Schartz said. “Coach (Lorne) Clark has been there several years now and the last time they made a big run, they were a flexbone team and they’ve kind of diversified on offense and their quarterback is scary with his ability to throw the ball and run it. We definitely have a lot of studying to do to get ready for this game.
 
“It helps having been there two of the last three years. We’re used to the Thanksgiving routine and our kids for the most part know what to expect. This is where they expect to be now.”
 
MANHATTAN INDIANS (10-2)
 
COACH: Joe Schartz (17th year, 151-34)
 
STATE FINALS HISTORY: 3 state titles – 2022 (6A), 1988 (6A), 1974 (4A); 6 runner-up finishes – 2024 (6A) , 2001 (6A), 2000 (6A), 1989 (6A), 1987 (6A), 1984 (6A)
 
2025 RESULTS

W,43-13 Garden City
W,47-7 at Free State
W,10-8 Hays
L,28-14 Junction City
W,41-6 at Emporia
L,40-13 at Wichita Northwest
W,50-0 Topeka High
W,43-0 at Washburn Rural
W,47-15 Garden City (P)
W,45-6 Wichita Southeast (P)
W,55-31 at Maize (P)
W,38-7 Derby (P)
 
2025 STATISTICS
 
TEAM
 
Points scored: 446 (37.1 per game)
 
Points allowed: 161 (13.4 per game)
 
Total offense: 4,376 yards (364.7 per game)
 
Rushing: 2,937 yards (244.8 per game), 44 TDs
 
Passing: 1,439 yards (119.9 per game), 11 TDs, 12 INTs
 
INDIVIDUAL
 
Rushing: Kha’Mario Davis (sr.) 115 carries, 803 yards, 7 TDs; EJ Massenburg (jr.) 66 carries, 520 yards, 5 TDs Finn Watson (sr.) 121 carries, 482 yards, 8 TDs; Joseph Mortensen (jr.) 52 carries, 355 yards, 11 TDs; Maclin Aslin (so.) 49 carries, 303 yards, 6 TDs; Max Evans-Pryor (jr.) 20 carries, 214 yards, 3 TDs; Ja’Marcus Vornes (sr.) 8 carries, 160 yards 2 TDs.
 
Passing: Finn Watson (sr.) 89 of 146, 1,311 yards, 9 TDs, 11 INTs.
 
Receiving: JJ Dunnigan (sr.) 16 catches, 328 yards, 7 TDs; Greyson Wassenberg (sr.) 16 catches, 208 yards, 3 TDs; Evan Middleton (sr.) 11 catches, 192 yards; Kha’Mario Davis (sr.) 12 catches, 184 yards, 1 TD; Ja’Marcus Vornes (sr.) 18 catches, 148 yards; Jack Crocker (sr.) 11 catches, 113 yards.
 
Tackles: Max Evans-Pryor (jr.) 94 tackles (30 solo), 19.5 tackles for loss, 6 sacks; Liam Nider (so.) 86 tackles (19 solo), 8.5 tackles for loss; Kadin Dibbini (jr.) 66 tackles (16 solo), 14.5 tackles for loss 1.5 sacks; Brady Durtschi (sr.) 56 tackles (17 solo), 5.5 tackles for loss; Kody Kemp (sr.) 51 tackles (20 solo), 1.5 tackles for loss; Garrison Vikander (sr.) 49 tackles (20 solo), 17 tackles for loss, 4 sacks; JJ Dunnigan (sr.) 48 tackles, (24 solo), 4 tackles for loss, 1 sack; Evan Middleton (sr.) 46 tackles (17 solo), 18 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks; Joseph Mortensen (jr.) 31 tackles (13 solo), 2 tackles for loss, 1 sack; Brecken Crist-Funk (sr.) 30 tackles (2 solo), 2 tackles for loss; Caleb Manwarren (jr.) 24 tackles (3 solo), 2.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks; Michael Hamm (jr.) 21 tackles (7 solo); Nisbyc Johnson (sr.) 20 tackles (11 solo); Javaris Buchanan (so.) 18 tackles (3 solo), 4.5 tackles for loss, 2 sacks.
 
Takeaways: Nisbyc Johnson (sr.) 3 INTs; Brady Durtsch (sr.) 2 INTs, 1 fumble recovery; Evan Middleton (sr.) 3 fumble recoveries; Max Evans-Pryor (jr.) 1 INT, 1 fumble recovery.
 
Kicking: Prescott Balderson (sr.) 5 of 6 FGs, 46 of 48 PATs.
 

OLATHE NORTHWEST TURNS DOUBTERS ASIDE ON WAY TO FIRST-EVER STATE FINAL 

All summer long, Olathe Northwest players walked past the same reminder taped inside their lockers — a simple handwritten note declaring where they planned to be on the final weekend of November. It wasn’t a slogan, and it wasn’t wishful thinking. It was a promise. 

On Saturday afternoon in Emporia, the Ravens will walk onto the field as a program making its first-ever state championship appearance — the very finish line they envisioned back in June. Olathe Northwest (9-3) will face perennial power Manhattan at 1 p.m. in the Class 6A title game, a matchup that again casts the Ravens as the underdog. They don’t mind. That’s been their role all season. 

“We’ve been saying we were going to do this since the first week of summer,” senior running back Bryce Randall said. “We wrote it down and put it in our lockers. Every week, it felt like people picked us to lose. We’ve been proving people wrong all year, and we’re going to do it again at state.” 

The Ravens didn’t look like a championship team heading into the postseason. They weren’t ranked a single week this fall and stumbled into the playoffs on a two-game losing streak. But something clicked in November. Olathe Northwest ripped off four straight wins, including an upset of No. 1 Olathe West and last Friday’s 42-28 victory over two-time defending state champion Gardner Edgerton. 

That sub-state win was a shootout early. The Ravens led 28-21 at halftime despite struggling to contain Trailblazers star running back Syre Padilla. But in the second half, Olathe Northwest’s defense stiffened, holding Gardner scoreless in the third quarter and delivering the critical stops needed to win. 

Leading 35-28 with seven minutes left, the Ravens’ identity took over. Behind its physical offensive line and ground-heavy attack, Northwest chewed up six minutes on a drive that ended with junior quarterback Brody Comfort punching in a 4-yard touchdown to seal the program’s historic breakthrough. 

“It is the best I’ve ever felt probably,” Comfort said. “I may have been the one to get into the end zone, but it was our running backs and line that got us down the field.” 

The night also belonged to Randall, who broke the school’s single-season rushing record — ending the game at 1,474 yards and promising to buy dinner for his offensive linemen. 

“My pocket is going to be a little light,” Randall said with a laugh, “but I love my line.” 

Head coach Lorne Clark, now in his fourth year, said the win was bigger than one game — it was validation for a program that has steadily built toward this moment. 

“Legacy — we talk about that a lot,” Clark said. “This senior class has bought into it. Their leadership and hard work are showing on the field. Our run game and our defense have been the backbone of our team. When we execute like we did against Gardner, we’re a championship-caliber team.” 

Not only was last Friday an opportunity for the Ravens to celebrate history, but also the ones that helped them get there. 

“This moment is great for our school, and obviously our team and program, and all the former players that have put in the hard work,” Clark said. “It is has been a cool thing to be here for as long as I have, and then see all the former players come back to this game and see the success of our program is awesome.” 

They’ll need that again against Manhattan, which has spent most of the season in the top tier of Class 6A. But the Ravens like the challenge. They’ve toppled every favorite in their way so far. 

“I love surprising people,” Comfort said. “A lot of people didn’t believe in us going into the Gardner game. I thought it was awesome. We like proving people wrong.” 

As for the test against Manhattan, the Ravens know it will be a challenge facing an experienced team that has found itself after some midseason struggles.

“Manhattan is a very good football team and has been to several state championship games over the last 10 years,” Clark said. “They are coached well, physical upfront, and fast at the skill positions. The keys for us are to match the physicality, limit big plays, have some big plays, and run the ball effectively.” 

As the season has come down to the final week, the Ravens still have those summer notes sitting back at school serving as a reminder — not like they need it anymore.  

“I can’t wait,” Randall said. “We’ve got one more week with our teammates, no school, just football. It’s time to go win it.” 

OLATHE NORTHWEST RAVENS (9-3)
 
COACH: Lorne Clark (4th year, 25-18)
 
STATE FINALS HISTORY: First championship game appearance
 
2025 RESULTS

L,31-28 at SM East
W,34-7 at Garden City
W,38-17 Lawrence
W,31-28 SM Northwest
W,31-10 at SM North
W,43-7 SM West
L,63-28 Mill Valley
L,38-27 at Olathe West
W,63-0 KC Wyandotte (P)
W,38-14 Blue Valley West (P)
W,34-21 at Olathe West (P)
W,42-28 at Gardner Edgerton (P)
 
2025 STATISTICS
 
TEAM
 
Points scored: 437 (36.4 per game)
 
Points allowed: 264 (22.0 per game)
 
Total offense: 4,502 yards (375.2 per game)
 
Rushing: 3,366 yards (280.5 per game), 40 TDs
 
Passing: 1,136 yards (94.7 per game), 13 TDs, 4 INTs
 
INDIVIDUAL
 
Rushing: Bryce Randall (sr.) 245 carries, 1,474 yards, 17 TDs; Jaelen Douglas (sr.) 83 carries, 480 yards, 4 TDs; Daniel Skoczek (sr.) 66 carries, 381 yards, 3 TDs; Brody Comfort (jr.) 56 carries, 488 yards, 8 TDs; Michael Hefley (sr.) 19 carries, 231 yards, 3 TDs; Jackson Connell (jr.) 14 carries, 94 yards, 2 TDs.
 
Passing: Brody Comfort (jr.) 63 of 128, 1,008 yards, 12 TDs, 4 INTs.
 
Receiving: Quinn Sullivan (sr.) 11 catches, 198 yards, 4 TDs; Tyler Manzella (sr.) 8 catches, 171 yards, 1 TD; Landen Hays (so.) 4 catches, 175 yards, 1 TDs; Tyler Briel (sr.) 11 catches, 136 yards, 2 TDs, Cole Spriggs (sr.) 4 catches, 117 yards, 1 TDs; Michael McKeever (sr.) 7 catches, 74 yards, 2 TDs.
 
Tackles: Tyler Briel (sr.) 87 tackles (24 solo), 6 tackles for loss, 1 sack; Jackson Connell (jr.) 82 tackles (25 solo), 6 tackles for loss 3 sacks; Michael Hefley (sr.) 69 tackles (23 solo), 2 tackles for loss; Nolan Wallace (sr.) 36 tackles (17 solo); Bradyn Stubenrauch (jr.) 36 tackles (23 solo), 1 tackle for loss; Jaelen Douglas (sr.) 35 tackles (17 solo), 1 tackle for loss; Riyhad Jones (sr.) 35 tackles (7 solo), 4 tackles for loss, 2 sacks; Michael McKeever (sr.) 28 tackles (9 solo), 4 tackles for loss; Tyler Manzella (sr.) 27 tackles (12 solo); Cole Spriggs (sr.) 22 tackles (6 solo), 3 tackles for loss; Magnus Larson (sr.) 20 tackles (9 solo) 6 tackles for loss, 4 sacks; Quinn Sullivan (sr.) 19 tackles (12 solo), 9 tackles for loss, 6 sacks; Ethan Floersch (jr.) 18 tackles (7 solo), 6 tackles for loss, 1 sack; Nathan Wiley (jr.) 17 tackles (8 solo) 1 tackles for loss, 1 sack; Colton Floersch (so.) 14 tackles (5 solo), 5tackles for loss, 3 sacks; Bryce Randall (sr.) 7 tackles (4 solo) 2 tackles for loss, 1 sack.
 
Takeaways: Tyler Manzella (sr.) 5 INTs; Bradyn Stubenrauch (jr.) 4 INTs; Michael Hefley (sr.) 4 INTs; Nolan Wallace (sr.) 2 INTs; Tyler Briel (sr.) 2 fumble recoveries; Riyhad Jones (sr.) 2 fumble recoveries.
 
Kicking: Sam Keely (jr.) 8 of 12 FGs, 55 of 57 PATs.