State Playoffs: Northwest v Manhattan

Weston Schartz and Butch Albright go way back. You'd be hard-pressed to find two coaches in Kansas with deeper pedigrees. When Manhattan travels to west Wichita Friday night for Class 6A's marquee opening-round match-up at Northwest, coaching history will parallel what should be an outstanding game. Schartz, in his seventh season at Northwest, first went up against Manhattan coach Albright as a player for Southeast back in the late 1970s. Schartz got the best of Albright way back then, as Southeast was in the midst of winning four 6A state titles in five seasons. After years of running into each other - Albright was a coach at Manhattan beginning in 1975 before taking over as head coach a decade ago and Schartz became coach at West High in 1987 - the two coaches run into each other on Friday to earn a second-round shot at the winner of the Derby-Goddard game. "They had some really good talent back in the '70s. Traditionally, they've got a very proud program," said Schartz. "This is going to be one of our biggest challenges of the year. They're not going to be South." The South allusion touches on the weakness of Northwest's schedule at the end of the season. The Grizzlies earned their spot in the playoffs by pounding district opponents South, North and Campus. Northwest hasn't really been challenged since Weeks 2 and 3 against Carroll and Heights, both of which were sound losses. Northwest (7-2) rebounded from their 1-2 start, however, by reeling off six straight victories - an accomplishment, no matter the competition. Manhattan (7-2), on the other side, is back in the playoffs after missing out in 2007 for only the second time in Albright's ten seasons at the helm. Manhattan could be reeling after a 30-6 loss to Junction City to close out district play, as the Indians have a young squad. Their offensive line starts several sophomores, and only seven seniors are on the squad. Quarterback Blair Debord (5-11, 180) is the feature runner out of their rushing attack. Northwest's lineup should be fully intact for the game, though there could be one key loss, possibly on the offensive line. Schartz said they should be good to go, though. Junior running back Demarcus Robinson has rushed for 1,693 yards and 20 touchdowns, putting himself among the state's elite backs. The Grizzlies hope to get back in the 6A state picture after two average seasons, especially after Goddard romped over them in the first round last fall on their way to sub-state.