Manhattan Indians Capture Class 6A State Championship with Shutout Victory

MANHATTAN, Kan. — The Manhattan High Indians completed an 11-2 season Saturday, shutting out Olathe Northwest 27-0 to claim the Class 6A state championship. Senior quarterback Finn Watson delivered a masterful performance with four total touchdowns, including two rushing and two passing scores, as the Indians captured their first state title since 2022, after losing in the title game last year.

After a scoreless first quarter, Watson broke the deadlock early in the second period with a 32-yard touchdown run that energized the crowd. The Indians extended their lead just before halftime when J.J. Dunnigan hauled in a short pass, broke a tackle, and raced 68 yards to the end zone with just 15 seconds remaining in the half, giving Manhattan a 14-0 advantage at the break.

Manhattan continued their offensive onslaught in the third quarter as Watson found Dunnigan again for a spectacular touchdown pass. Despite initially bobbling the ball, Dunnigan managed to secure the catch as it popped into the air, extending the Indians' lead to 20-0. The chemistry between Watson and Dunnigan proved unstoppable throughout the game, with the duo connecting for crucial plays when it mattered most.

The Indians sealed their championship victory in the fourth quarter with a methodical drive that consumed valuable clock time. Watson capped the scoring drive with his second rushing touchdown of the game, putting the final nail in the coffin with 1:58 remaining. The shutout victory marked a dominant end to Manhattan's championship season, with the defense holding Olathe Northwest scoreless throughout the entire game.