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It was a defensive battle in 2018 but Junction City did just enough to hold off Manhattan for a 9-7 victory. The Bluejays took home the Silver Trophy, after Manhattan had won the previous year’s contest. Last year both team’s defense came into the game fired up, hoping to springboard their team to victory.  Junction City held a 9-7 lead late into the game, but it looked as if Manhattan had a comeback planned. Driving down the field late in the 4th, Manhattan looked destined to score and take the lead, but a Bluejay interception inside the red zone crushed the Indians’ hopes of a comeback. Junction City knocked off the then undefeated Manhattan High Team.  This year Junction City comes into the game undefeated and ranked #2 in the state of Kansas.  Can #5 Manhattan return the favor and knock off their rival in the Silver Trophy game this year?  It’s sure to be another Great American Rivalry in the “Little Apple” of Manhattan, KS this year.

MVP

Dayne Aschenbrenner
Manhattan High School

SCHOLAR ATHLETES

Austin Parker

Manhattan High School

Austin has a 4.0 GPA and is involved in a variety of activities at school and is also active in his church youth group. He is currently planning to attend Kansas State University and major in economics.
Valerio Donatus

Junction City High School

Valerio has a 4.04 GPA, is a three-year varsity football and academic letterman. He is in the top 5% of his class and was selected as an All-League Academic athlete in 2018-2019. He has also been in JROTC for 2 years and competed in wrestling and track for Junction City. He has been awarded the Morrison Scholarship to Wichita State University.

GAME SUMMARY

This was a great game, with the two teams fighting neck and neck. The two teams tied in the second quarter, and Junction City threatened to take the lead. But Manhattan's defense reigned supreme, forcing a fumble and recovery at their own two yard line. After a beautiful 79 yard touchdown pass (but missing the extra point), Junction City did take the lead in the third quarter, making the score 20-14. Soon after Manhattan countered with a touch down run of their own, gaining the extra point to make the score 20-21. The two teams eventually tied again, but Manhattan came out on top by scoring as time expired with a game-winning field goal.