Week Two Clash of the Titans – Manhattan at Free State

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>All eyes will be on the northeast corner of the state tomorrow when the powerful <em>Manhattan Indians</em> make the short trip to <em>Lawrence</em> to take on a <em>Free State</em> team coming off a huge game-one win over defending 6A state champion <em>Gardner Edgerton</em> 35-34.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It should be an intriguing early-season collision between two teams loaded with next-level talent and the drive to win tough games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In this report we will take a look at <em>Manhattan</em> to start with, with an emphasis on their <em>"No-Fly-Zone" Secondary</em> and then take a quick look at some of the talent the <em>Firebirds</em> are going to war with.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>So, without further adieu, let's take a quick look at both teams:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>MANHATTAN </strong>(1-0)<strong> @ LAWRENCE FREE STATE</strong> (1-0)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In an early-season clash of the titans, <em>Manhattan</em> (1-0) travels to <em>Lawrence</em> to take on a red-hot 1-0 <em>Free State</em> team coming off a season-opening win over defending state champ <em>Gardner Edgerton</em>, 35-34. The same team that nipped <em>Manhattan</em> 36-33 for the 6A State Championship last November.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Manhattan Indians:</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The <em>Indians</em> started strong last Friday, beating <em>Garden City</em> 43-13, after jumping up on top 43-0 going into the fourth quarter. They<em> </em>feature a balanced attack on both sides of the ball and are a talented, physical bunch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On offense last week running back <strong><strong><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1228894' first='Khamario' last='Davis']</strong></strong></strong>, 5'10, 195, '26, brought the fireworks and led with a team-high 128 yards rushing in 12 attempts, averaging 10+yards a carry, scored on a sizzling 47-yard TD run and also caught a 65-yard touchdown pass. The <em>Indians</em> started senior quarterback <strong>Finn Watson</strong>, 6'0, 170, '26, who fired eight completions in 10 attempts for 133 yards and the TD-pass to <em>Davis</em> while adding a rushing score. Sophomore QB <strong>Mclain Aslin</strong>, 6'0, 165, '28, was also used to keep GC off-balance, running 13 times for 108 yards and two touchdowns and completed 4 of 5 passes for 36 yards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The <em>Manhattan</em> defense, which recorded five shutout performances last season, held the <em>Buffaloes</em> (0-1) scoreless through three quarters and were up 43-0 going into Q4 before allowing a couple of late scores. The <em>Indians</em> have a formidable defensive front that will hit teams in the mouth, led by two-way standout, <strong><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1566710' first='Garrison' last='Vikander']</strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/garrison-vikander/"></a>&nbsp;</strong>, 6'2, 220, OL/DL,&nbsp;'26, who is a physical headhunter in the trenches on both sides of the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When opposing teams challenge the <em>Indian</em> secondary, they do so at their own peril, as they play suffocating pass coverage and fly to the ball. They take pride in being referred to as the <em>"No Fly Zone"</em>, which is essentially <em>Manhattan's </em>version of the <em>Iron Dome</em> when it comes to denying attacks through the air.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Leading the way is all-world DB/ATH and <em>KU-commit</em> <strong><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='904447' first='James' last='Dunnigan Jr']</strong></strong>, 6'3, 195, ATH/WR/DB,&nbsp;'26, who is a 5-star force multiplier who can play anywhere the team needs him and will be returning to action after sitting out the opener as a precaution. Also stepping up as a leader on the field has been <strong><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1693651' first='Nisbyc' last='Johnson']</strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/nisbyc-johnson/"></a>&nbsp;</strong>, 5'10, 175, DB/ATH,&nbsp;<strong>'26</strong>, who had a team-leading four tackles and a tackle for loss last Friday. He can play safety or corner, call defensive signals as needed and really shines as a lock-down CB who can jam the receiver at the line and play smothering coverage on the ball. He is a ballhawk d-back with great instincts who can also collapse down and make the pounding open-field tackle. Also stepping up in a big way for the <em>Indian</em> secondary has been <strong><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1612742' first='Joseph' last='Mortensen']</strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/joseph-mortensen/"></a>&nbsp;</strong>, DB/ATH, 5'11, 185, '27, who is another punishing corner and kick returner who is physical and explosive stuffing receivers at the line but can also turn and run with the speediest receivers using his 4.45 forty and 38" vertical. Last week he stepped up with three tackles, two tackles for loss and a sack.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Also providing timely pass defense as well as shutting off the perimeter run game has been <strong>Jayren Dixon</strong>, DB, 5'11, 165, '26 who had a pair of tackles last Friday and can play safety as needed but is a sleeper who is becoming an excellent corner. Another baller at either safety or corner has been <strong>Michael Hamm</strong>, DB, 6'2, 170, '27, who has the length and athleticism to blanket the ball in coverage or hammer the runner on the edge. Also, a quick shout out for rising-star freshman athlete, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1663254' first='Adonis' last='Dunnigan']</strong>, DB/WR, 5'11, 170, '29, who is already turning heads with his athleticism and work effort and will be a key member of the secondary before the year is over.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Lawrence Free State:</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='517090' first='Finn' last='Moore']</strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/finn-moore/"></a>&nbsp;</strong>, QB, 6'0, 195,&nbsp;<em>Lawrence Free State</em>, '26, is a guy I have had on my watchlist for awhile now and has showed out once given a chance. Last Friday he led a smoking-hot <em>Firebird </em>sqaud to an upset win over defending state champ powerhouse<em>&nbsp;Gardner Edgerton</em>&nbsp;35-34 in a huge game-one victory. The junior gunslinger is a dangerous dual threat QB who carried the ball 20 times for 158 yards and three touchdowns and was perfect through the air, completing three of three passes for 110 more yards and added another TD for a <em>four-TD</em> night and 268 all-purpose yards in his first start in the '25 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Also stepping up big in more ways than one was <em>Clemson</em>-commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1114737' first='Braden' last='Wilmes']</strong>, OL, 6'8”, 295, OL, who has been on D1 watchlists the last few years and is a bulldozer of a blocker clearing out holes in the running game between the tackles. With his prototype size, length and quickness he is a masher who clears out the trenches for his team's ground attack or steps up and uses his mobility and reach to stonewall athletic edge rushers or when maintaining a clean pocket in pass pro. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On the other side of the ball, <em>Free State</em> will be leaning heavily on defender <strong><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1401805' first='Ethan' last='Prescott']</strong>,</strong> DB, 6'2, 205, '26, who was huge in the victory last Friday coming out of the secondary or off the edge hard and fast to pile up 13 tackles. As a strong safety/hybrid linebacker, he is a ballhawk with great instincts who wrapped up last year with 50+ tackles and using his next-level size, length and athleticism, makes jackhammer hits before backs even get to the line of scrimmage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In conclusion, get out and see these guys in action – you will not be disappointed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>And, as usual…</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Keep grindin'</em></strong>…</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->