A key fourth down pass play for Manhattan late in the fourth quarter proved crucial in the Indians 27-22 football victory over the Junction City Blue Jays ( 5-1 ) at Al Simpler Stadium Friday night.

Manhattan faced a fourth and nine with over three minutes to play when the Indians opted to pass. The officials ruled the pass was caught for a first down, but Junction City players and coaches disagreed. The Indians drove on down the field for the game winning touchdown, and then sealed the victory by intercepting a late Junction City pass.

On the fourth down pass play Blue Jay coach Randall Zimmerman was certain the ball bounced on the ground before it was caught by the Indians. “It absolutely hit the ground, but that’s only one play out of many many plays in this game. I’m very frustrated with what I witnessed tonight. It shouldn’t have come down to that. We had opportunities to win.” Zimmerman added, “Javontez Brime made an outstanding play coming in front of the kid and knocking the ball down and then Jalen Brime came diving in to intercept it and the ball went in between his hands off the ground and the kid jumped over the top of him. Had his hands underneath of it, yeah.”

Manhattan coach Joe Schartz said he was certain the ball was caught. “Yeah I had a pretty good view of it. We were throwing a square into Jonathon Taylor on the left side, bounced off of him and a defender and there was no doubt. Parker was right there and he definitely caught the ball.”

On the next series the Blue Jays tried to make a final game-winning drive, but the Indians intercepted a pass and were then able to run out the clock.

Junction City had other chances to score. They had the football inside the Indians’ 20 yard line two times but failed to score a touchdown on either of those possessions, which produced only one field goal.

The Indians ( 6-0 ) were awarded the Sportsmanship Trophy that goes to the winner of the annual game between Junction City and Manhattan.