Just like two years ago, Gardner-Edgerton found itself going for the win against Manhattan at the goalline on its final offensive play of the game.

This time, the Trailblazers punched in the winning score and celebrated its second straight Kansas Class 6A title, 36-33, over Manhattan at Welch Stadium in Emporia.

Two years ago, the Blazers and Indians played into double overtime, with Gardner-Edgerton falling short on a two-point attempt on the final play, 21-20.

"I'm happy for our seniors because as sophomores, they got beat here in double overtime,” stated head coach Jesse Owen. “For us to have the resolve we've had the last two seasons and motivation to come back here, it's just a great group of kids who listened to how we coached them."

Gardner-Edgerton (12-1) faced a chance to avenge the 2022 title loss with 19 seconds left on Saturday, but star quarterback Bravin Powell was stuffed on a keeper attempt to the left side from the MHS 1. After both teams exhausted their timeouts, GEHS faced a second-and-goal with :12 left. Powell again tried a keeper, this time to the right side, and plunged into the end zone with ease for the lead – and state crown.

“I'm so thankful to play for Coach O (Owen) and to be a Blazer... I'm so ecstatic to go back-to-back with this group of guys,” stated Powell.

Manhattan (12-1) did receive the kickoff near midfield and heaved a last-second Hail Mary pass, but was incomplete.

As it had the prior two playoff games, Gardner-Edgerton found itself trailing in the first half, 19-7, as MHS scored on two touchdown runs from Carter Aslin and one by Jaydin Hudley. Aslin rushed for 89 yards and two scores, and threw for 73 yards and a touchdown in the game.

But Powell, who connected on just two passes for 41 yards in the contest, hit bot passes when it was needed the most, capping a nine-play, 45-yard drive with a 12-yard pass to Lucas Wilson for a score with 6:20 left in the first half. Then Powell found Porter Swain for a 29-yard touchdown pass with 12 ticks before intermission, and a 22-19 halftime lead.

The two teams exchanged leads five times in the game, as Powell busted loose for a 23-yard score on the ground to cap a nine-play, 80-yard drive for a 29-26 edge with 26 seconds left in the third quarter.

But Manhattan answered five plays later on a Hudley 33-yard scoring rush, and a 33-29 lead. Hudley finished with a game-high 178 rushing yards.

Then on the ground game of Syre Padilla and Powell, the Blazers marched downfield for the eventual game-winning score by Powell – the senior’s third rushing score of the contest. Powell finished with 129 rushing yards, while Padilla racked up 180 on the ground.

The state title marks the second state title in Gardner-Edgerton history on its fourth state title appearance, three in the last three seasons in Class 6A under Owen.