But it's a situation MHS coach Joe Schartz likes. To Schartz, the situation is essentially a non-issue. The Indians have set a goal to end the two-game losing streak to their rivals since the summer started.
Schartz is to thank for a lot of the success this season. Yes, the team was good last year and returned a lot of talent to this season. But he has done a magnificent job of coaching the team through some tight wins over good teams.
The 23-21 win over Blue Valley-Stilwell when Schartz called a pass play to seal the win. It was a must-pass situation, but Schartz had his quarterback zeroed in on two options for the play, knowing one would be open. And he was right.
His team winning 35-34 in overtime at Emporia was unbelievable. Seeing his opponents rolling the dice and going for two in overtime, Schartz had his players ready to stop a player they hadn't stopped all night. And the Indians defense held.
It has been moments like that all season long. And no matter what the situation in a game, Schartz and the Indians have prevailed.
And now in this non-situation of needing to win or not lose by more then seven points, Schartz and the Indians have their hands full.
The Blue Jays are playing for the same thing the Indians are, a trip to the playoffs. With Topeka High essentially locking their place up just by beating Washburn Rural, it comes down to this one game.
Junction City will be looking to rebound and erase the memories of last week's 42-30 loss to Topeka High. The Indians will be looking to get their rivals back for two straight years of watching the Silver Trophy stay on the wrong sideline.
Manhattan wants to win, and Schartz likes the mentality. He doesn't want his players thinking they need to do just enough to not lose by more then a touchdown and an extra point. He used his own high school career to motivate the players this past week, on what they should be thinking heading into the game.
When Schartz played at Dodge City High School in the early 90's, only the district champion got to play in the state playoffs. And the coach wants to make sure his players treat the Junction City game the same way. Win your district, or go home.
It's that kind of enthusiasm that the young coach has brought to his players all season long.
When Schartz got the job, so much mystery clouded around what the team would do. Some thought Schartz, a former collegiate quarterback at Washburn, would change the offense to some sort of west coast style, throw all day, Texas Tech clone.
But Schartz has opened up the playbook, sticking to the run enough to make it classic Manhattan football, but adding in a dose of the new with some creative pass plays, tricky screen passes and the wildcat.
While some of it has worked, and other parts have been works in progress, the additions seem to keep the team having fun on the field.
Whether the Indians win or lose tonight at Bishop Stadium, Schartz deserves high grades for his first season as the head guy. And if you look at his returning group for next season, you have to believe MHS could be on tap for yet another successful year.
Any questions people might have had about the new coach, and this team, have been answered throughout this season.
And with one more game tonight, they can answer the ultimate question. Can this team beat Junction City?
