Manna came in off the bench for Lincoln in its win over Grant of Sacramento. He completed seven of 10 passes for 214 yards with three touchdowns. Manna transferred to Lincoln from Centennial High in Arizona and has made an immediate impact for the Hornets.

Football IQ is about more than memorizing the playbook — it’s reading defenses and understanding matchups. Kainan Manna Kainan Manna 5'9" | 165 lbs | QB Centennial | 2026 State AZ shows this expertise snap after snap. He’ll identify the best matchup, but also isn’t afraid to adjust if things change after the snap. Watching him manipulate defenders with his eyes, he creates windows that wouldn’t exist if he was just staring down his first read. It’s the kind of savvy that wins big games.

2026 Quarterback Kainan Manna Kainan Manna 5'9" | 165 lbs | QB Centennial | 2026 State AZ had a historic junior season that he won’t forget. He posted a 59% completion percentage, 2,366 passing yards, 22 passing TDs to 4 INTs, 226 rushing yards, and 2 rushing TDs on the season. More importantly, he helped lead one of the state’s biggest comeback stories ever, winning the 6A state championship with a 3-7 regular season team record. This includes a spectacular performance in that state title game with a 65% completion, 350 passing yards, and 2 passing TDs. His ability to throw the ball either with touch or zip is incredible. It allows him to have almost perfect ball placement both on short-yardage throws and deep throws. He has excellent pocket presence for his size, not afraid to stand in and deliver a strike downfield while getting hit. Not enough good things can be said about Manna’s junior season, and he should be a must see player next season as he leads the Coyote’s offense for his senior year.

2025 Quarterback Kainan Manna Kainan Manna 5'9" | 165 lbs | QB Centennial | 2026 State AZ played almost a flawless game on his way to winning a title for Centennial. He had a 65% completion, over 350 passing yards, 2 passing TDs, and a 134.4 QB Rating. His ability to change how he threw the football was his most impressive trait, layering the ball over the top of defenders, especially on that first touchdown throw to take the early lead. Even under pressure, he was in a zone still managing to get the ball out and give his teammates an opportunity in space. Manna capped off a great junior year campaign with one of his best games to complete a unforgettable underdog story.

Kainan Manna Kainan Manna 5'9" | 165 lbs | QB Centennial | 2026 State AZ was fighting to get his team back on track on Friday night, and nearly pulled it off against a talented Pinnacle defense. The junior completed 19 of his 31 passes for 264 yards and three touchdowns, consistently working through his progressions to find the open man. Coming off of another three-touchdown performance the week before, Manna’s big arm and calm demeanor led his team to a 10-point lead early in the fourth quarter. Although they couldn’t hold on for the win, Manna’s ability to make big plays and deliver strikes with precision kept his team competitive. In a dramatic finish, he put them in a position to tie the game as time expired, but the potential game-tying kick was missed. Manna’s performance showcased his resilience and leadership, and despite the setback, he continues to prove that he’s a quarterback to watch as he finishes his high school career.

Kainan Manna Kainan Manna 5'9" | 165 lbs | QB Centennial | 2026 State AZ was one of the starting quarterbacks in the Open Division state championship game last year as only a sophomore, so he’s no stranger to playing on a big stage. Splitting time with Knutson throughout the weekend, the commentating crew often questioned the strategy and wondered how long it would last. Each and every time they did, Manna came in and showed them why the coaches have the type of confidence in him to put him in the game after two drives, good or bad. He was able to display some really impressive accuracy and nice touch on some deep balls. What impressed me most about Manna’s weekend was his arm strength. You could see the power behind his throws, which is difficult to do from a 5’9″ frame. Look for Manna to have a monster junior season coming off his eye-popping sophomore year.