Being a member of MHS' class of 2011 myself, I continue to my next lesson while passing half a dozen lockers with notes posted on them advertising an event no one in that building has ever needed advertised: Manhattan's hosting of the Junction City Blue Jays Friday night at Bishop Stadium.
All season long, even in the days following the Tribe's thrilling 23-21 win over Blue Valley in the 2009 opener, one of the most frequent hallway questions has been, "Hey, you goin' to the JC game?" which leads to the most frequent answer. "Duh."
Regardless of how the two schools have performed in a given year, this game is of highest importance. With both Manhattan and Junction being members of the Centennial League and the same district, it's rare for the stakes to be merely mediocre.
This season is no different, even featuring some of the highest stakes in the history of the series.
"There's definitely enough on the line here," Indians' head coach Joe Schartz said this week. "The kids are really excited about how much they have to play for."
You can say that again. Manhattan (8-0, 7-0 Centennial) will look to defend its home field after failing to do so two years ago in a 42-7 defeat. Junction City (7-1, 7-1 Centennial) rides a two-game winning streak in the series.
But while a league championship and the Silver Trophy (awarded to MHS/JCHS winner) are both on the line, playoff implications dominate the storyline.
Despite the combined record of 15-1 between the two teams, neither has secured a postseason berth. In fact, a loss could abruptly end either of two historical seasons because of a district system that makes little sense to me at all.
For Manhattan, with a 2-0 district record, a loss could only be by fewer than eight points in order to advance. Otherwise, it must win or hope for an unlikely Washburn Rural victory over Topeka High.
The Blue Jays must defeat the Indians by more than seven to play again this season.
Point differential deciding playoff teams? Sounds like the BCS system with more math. But as it is, this is the borderline hostile situation at hand.
Role reversal is in effect, as last season's matchup featured undefeated JCHS and one-loss Manhattan. Junction won the game 30-6 and went on to win the Class 6A title.
Honestly, you can't ask for a more potentially exciting high school football game. This is as close to Texas prep ball as you can get without eating Bar-B-Que twice a day and being taught as a child that the University of Oklahoma is where you go if you can't learn how to spell 'Bevo' by the age of 3.
A Friday night under the lights of a classic stadium, in the chill of mid-fall air and on the eve of Halloween...ah, all in the world of football is good.
I already know 90 percent of MHS's student and faculty population will be there to bare witness, how about everyone else? No excuses on short notice, this date has been marked on calendars since the first beads of sweat dripped off of Indians and Jays in summer conditioning.
If not for interest in Manhattan High, Junction City High, or even football, come out for the fresh air and aroma of nacho cheese and popcorn. Bring your Snuggie. Hide your dog under it. And be proud of the talented athletes this region has produced, including future Wildcats and Jayhawks among others.
Bill Snyder's own grandson, Tate, will start on the defense where he's been more than dangerous all season. Next year he'll be wearing a Wildcat uniform.
It's about more than watching a football game. It's the support you're giving some of the future leaders, teachers and mentors in our community.
And besides, all your friends will be there. Yeah, that's some grade-A high school logic. Need anything else convince you?
