By Dustin Armbruster
Hays Post Sports
Manhattan - Hays High and Manhattan squared off in a state-ranked showdown in week three of the season. Hays entered ranked #2 in 5A and Manhattan at the top of 6A. It was the closest game in the series, but Manhattan still took the win 10-8.
Neither team managed to put points onto the board in the first half. Manhattan marched inside the 20 yard line in the first quarter. Johnny Rigler knocked a the ball free of a scrambling quarterback to force a turnover on downs.
Hays (2-1) didn't get across mid-field until the second half. They traveled down to the 13 yard line but went backwards on two of their next three plays and also turned the ball over on downs. Manhattan (3-0) began a drive late in the second quarter that was halted when Caleb Thompson intercepted a tipped pass and returned it to Manhattan's 33 yard line.
A Holden Lind run put Hays at the 16 before Manhattan blocked a 37 yard field goal attempt to end the first half.
Highlights
Manhattan struck first with an 86 yard punt return for a touchdown by Kansas football commit JJ Dunnigan with 9:12 left in the third quarter. The ensuing drive by Hays used 15 plays but ended with a turnover on downs. The drive reached the six yard line but lost 28 yards on the next four plays.
A field goal by Manhattan to start the fourth quarter pushed the lead to 10-0 with 11:48 left. Hays punted on their next series, but the defense got the ball back after forcing a punt after three plays.
Hays marched 13 plays and 73 yards to bring the Hays fans to their feet. Holden Lind scored for the fifth time on the season with a 32 yard run. Holder Johnny Rigler took a low, bobbled snap to the end zone for a two-point conversion and a 10-8 score with 4:15 remaining.
Hays got the football back one more time. They got to midfield before losing the ball on downs. One kneel down by Manhattan ended the game at 10-8.
Coach Tony Crough
The Hays defense held a Manhattan offense that averages 440 yards to 191. Hays returns home to play Garden City for homecoming.