69´«Ã½

"It means a lot to win the silver trophy, and these kids deserved it," head coach Joe Schartz said. "They worked hard and and it was a fun time for sure."

It was the 109th meeting between the two Centennial League foes. 69´«Ã½69´«Ã½™s victory over the Blue Jays moved its lead in the all-time series to 68-37-4.

The 69´«Ã½ defense put the Blue Jays (1-3) into a straitjacket all night, keeping them off the scoreboard and at a futile 57 total yards of offense.

"The defense played lights out," Schartz said. "That safety to start things off...That's an offense that the fewest points they scored in any game was 30. To put up a zero against them was pretty special."

Senior Jaydin Hudley reached the 1,000-yard rushing mark in his varsity career en route to running away with 151 yards for two scores.

Senior Carter Aslin punched in two scores, advancing his career total to 28 rushing touchdowns. The quarterback has scored in every game as the varsity starter and ran for 78 yards, adding 8-of-12 for 97 yards with two interceptions and a passing touchdown.

"We needed to run the football," Schartz said. "I think we were a little embarrassed and upset about how we played last week...We came in here with the mindset that we were going to run the football, and we did a heck of a job."

Two-way junior JJ Dunnigan picked off the Blue Jays twice, taking one to the house for a score and shutting down Junction City69´«Ã½™s top receiver Ja69´«Ã½™Marcus Vornes.

"He's dynamic and in all phases of the game, offense, defense and special teams," Schartz said. "It was clear sailing. Once he got it, nobody's going to catch him."

It was the first league matchup of the season for 69´«Ã½ who looks to return to the top of the league. Washburn Rural69´«Ã½™s home victory over the Indians ultimately resulted in the losing the title last year.

How it happened

After 69´«Ã½69´«Ã½™s opening drive stalled out at midfield, the defense kicked off the scoring.

Senior Landon Dobson forced pressure on Blue Jay quarterback Conrado Gomez who tossed an intentional grounding dirt ball in the endzone. The decision resulted in a safety by Dobson as 69´«Ã½ led 2-0.

A week removed from Hays not allowing the Indians to run the ball as it prefers, Hudley punished the Blue Jays. The bruising back broke free for a 20-yard score in the first quarter for the Indians69´«Ã½™ first touchdown.

After the 69´«Ã½ defense made quick work once again, Aslin joined in on the rushing fun. The senior signal caller punched in an 8-yard score to advance the Indians69´«Ã½™ lead.

On the ensuing 69´«Ã½ drive, Hudley69´«Ã½™s legs needed a breather, allowing backup running back Kha69´«Ã½™Mario Davis to cash in on a 13-yard swing pass from Aslin.

As the Indians69´«Ã½™ defense looked for every way to get a stop, Dunnigan hauled in an interception by Gomez. However, Aslin would give it right back, setting up the Blue Jays in the redzone.

Once again the 69´«Ã½ defense found a way to hold the Blue Jays out of the endzone, forcing a turnover on downs with just over a couple minutes left in the period.

Akin to the second half at Hays, 69´«Ã½ only needed seven seconds left on the clock to score right before the halftime clock expired. Hudley notched his second score to give MHS a 30-0 lead in the locker room.

Junction City was forced to punt on its opening drive of the second half but couldn69´«Ã½™t get the ball to its punter as the snap sailed over his head. Aslin took a quarterback sneak in for his second score shortly after.

Late in the third quarter, the two quarterbacks traded interceptions again. On 69´«Ã½69´«Ã½™s thievery was Dunnigan and this time the two-way star housed a pick-six, putting the lead to 43-0 at the end of the third quarter.

After a second safety caused a running clock, 69´«Ã½ sent backups into the contest. Davis tagged on his second score to put the final touches on the game.

After having three road games in four contests thus far, 69´«Ã½ will return to Bishop Stadium next week. The Indians will host Emporia on Friday.

MANHATTAN 52, JUNCTION CITY 0

69´«Ã½ High (4-0) 69´«Ã½” 9; 21; 13; 9 69´«Ã½” 52

Junction City (1-3) 69´«Ã½” 0; 0; 0; 069´«Ã½” 0

SCORING SUMMARY

69´«Ã½ 69´«Ã½” Safety by Dobson, 8:27 1Q

69´«Ã½ 69´«Ã½” Hudley 20-yard TD run, PAT by Vikander, 6:20 1Q

69´«Ã½ 69´«Ã½” Aslin 8-yard TD run, PAT by Vikander, 10:33 2Q

69´«Ã½ 69´«Ã½” Davis 13-yard TD pass from Aslin, PAT by Vikander, 7:15 2Q

69´«Ã½ 69´«Ã½” Hudley 2-yard TD run, PAT by Vikander, 0:07 2Q

69´«Ã½ 69´«Ã½” Aslin 1-yard TD run, 2 pt. no good, 7:43 3Q

69´«Ã½ 69´«Ã½” Dunnigan pick-six, PAT by Vikander, 0:10 3Q

69´«Ã½ 69´«Ã½” Safety, 11:07 4Q

69´«Ã½ 69´«Ã½” Davis 4-yard rush TD, PAT by Henry, 3:00 4Q

INDIVIDUAL STATS

Passing 69´«Ã½” 69´«Ã½: Aslin 8-12-97-2-1; Junction City: Gomez 4-14-24-0-2

Rushing 69´«Ã½” 69´«Ã½: Aslin 13-78-2, Hudley 16-151-2, Davis 13-63-1; Junction City: Fonoti 12-17

Receiving 69´«Ã½” 69´«Ã½: Dunnigan 3-27, Davis 1-13-1; Junction City: Vornes 1-5, Caldwell 1-16