Photo by Tonya Harrison: Charlie Sturgis of Manson Northwest Webster (88) closes in on Southeast Valley quarterback Mason Bahr earlier this season.

MANSON — It’s simple: win, and a second consecutive district championship will be staying in the trophy case at Manson Northwest Webster.

A year after their banner season, where they won eight games and earned a playoff victory for the first time in 30 years, the Cougars have worked their way back to a familiar spot in 2025.

“It would be great (to win the district crown) to do it in front of our home crowd (Friday),” said MNW head coach Zach Noffsinger. “Last year we did it in Manson for the first time in three decades. To do it two seasons in a row would be (a case of) perfect timing.”

The Cougars (4-2 overall, 3-0 in Class 1A, District 2) host South Central Calhoun (3-3, 1-2) this evening.

It was a slow start for MNW, as the squad dropped its first two contests. Noffsinger’s team responded, though, and now owns a four-game winning streak.

“A lot of it (the slow start) was inexperience, as we graduated a lot from last year,” Noffsinger said. “We had to change our offense a little in Week 3. Offensively, we weren’t executing consistently enough.

“We had to put in packages to get the most out of our guys, and they embraced it more.”

After losing the majority of their statistical leaders to graduation, Manson Northwest Webster has reloaded and isn’t skipping a beat.

“We’ve brought it up (potentially being district champs) up a little bit,” Noffsinger said. “We are approaching it in the sense of keeping the district lead.

“We control our own destiny, so that naturally puts a target on our back.”

MNW toppled Emmetsburg last week by a final of 36-21. The Cougars defeated the E-Hawks in 2024 as well. It was a big play effort in the win, as MNW had four touchdowns of 50-plus yards to lock up its eighth consecutive district triumph.

Junior Jack Hoeppner had a big effort, turning both of his catches into trips to the end zone. He caught a 72-yard score to tie the contest at 14-14 at halftime. His 50-yard grab gave the Cougars the lead and was the eventual winner.

Hoeppner also ended two E-Hawk scoring threats with interceptions.

Mason Anderson had an 83-yard run after the Cougars held Emmetsburg scoreless in the red zone on a nine-plus minute drive.

Tegan Thoma added a 62-yard TD jaunt. Coy Moline had rushing scores of 10 yards.

Both Coy Moline and Isaiah Daggett threw touchdown passes to Hoeppner. Anderson finished the game with 108 yards on four carries.

In South Central Calhoun’s 40-0 shutout of East Sac County last Friday, Hayden Stickrod ran for 98 yards and a score as five Titans reached paydirt. Coltley Timmerman, Luke Patterson, Cade Higgins and Cooper Nattress also found the end zone.

For the Cougars, Moline has 715 yards rushing and seven scores. Thomas has three TDs, while Anderson and Charlie Sturgis have two each. Dawson Marine and Jackson McGuire have also hit paydirt.

Hoeppner is the leading receiver, with six grabs for 297 yards — an average of 49.5 yards per catch. He has three touchdowns. Sturgis also has a receiving score.

Anderson (47) and Moline (46) are the leading tacklers. Hoeppner (27), Elliott Droste (26) and Thoma (26) are key defensive pieces for MNW.

The Cougars have forced 10 turnovers. Hoeppner has three interceptions, while Moline and Thoma have recorded two and Aiden Nelson has one. Marine and McGuire have recovered fumbles.

Both Moline and Daggett have thrown two TDs each.

“It’s been a good week of practice,” Noffsinger said. “They know what’s at stake and what is ahead of them with South Central Calhoun. They present a challenge. I’m hoping we are ready to go.”

Cade Higgins has thrown for 638 yards and four touchdowns to pace SCC through the air. Mattress has eight rushing TDs, while Timmerman and Patterson have three.

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.