MANSON — It took two weeks for the Manson Northwest Webster football team to get going, but they found exactly what they needed.

The missing piece or formula isn’t completely defined, but a few tweaks and adjustments for the 10th-ranked Cougars (6-2 overall) earned them their second straight district championship and a spot in the playoffs.

MNW will host Lawton-Bronson (4-4), a fourth-place finisher in Class 1A, District 1.

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. in Manson.

After two straight losses to Southeast Valley (2A) and MVAOCOU, the Cougars started finding a rhythm in a Week 3 shutout against Ogden (15-0), who had won its first two games.

“I think after the first two weeks we didn’t hang our heads, and knew there was room for improvement,” said MNW head coach Zach Noffsinger. “We had to find our identity and work that out in practice. We just weren’t executing and not doing the things we needed to.

“Week 3 I think was a big turning point for us. We started getting some things going against Ogden with our defense. The first two weeks, teams were taking it to us. We had guys step up and started playing well as district play started.”

The Ogden victory started a streak for the Cougars that they carried over through district play. For the second straight season, MNW went 5-0 in District 2 play.

Last year’s district championship was the first for the Cougars in 30 years. Now, the streak continues.

“Earning that win in Emmetsburg was big as well,” Noffsinger said. “They have the tradition and are always a solid team, so if you go in there and win against the eighth-ranked team in the state, that helps with confidence.

“Emmetsburg is a powerhouse, and after that, things just clicked for us and after that we controlled our own destiny for the district championship.”

Senior Coy Moline has been a catalyst for the Cougar offense. Moline is currently second in 1A with 1,117 rushing yards. Moline’s 13 touchdowns are tied for fifth and the third most in 1A.

Moline has also thrown four touchdown passes and caught one. He is third on the team with 44 tackles.

“He (Moline) is a great kid across the board,” Noffsinger said. “He is a smart player and can do anything. He doesn’t look all that dynamic, but he goes out there and gets the job done.”

Senior Jack Hoeppner has also been key for the Cougars on defense and offense.

Hoeppner has come up with big plays at key moments, including an interception before half against East Sac County and a touchdown before the half against Emmetsburg to tie the contest.

Hoeppner has three interceptions on the season, and has caught four touchdowns on eight grabs for 392 yards. He is averaging 49 yards per catch. Hoeppner has touchdown catches of 72, 69, 52 and 30 yards.

“Jack has been great for us, and was key to the turnaround in Week 3,” Noffsinger said. “I think the light flipped on for him after that Ogden game. This season, they’ve tested him over the top and on the sides and he came up with big plays.

“On offense he didn’t initially start off where we have him, and he has become a huge blocker for us as well. His blocking has opened him up, and he has come up with big time plays in big moments. His timing for big plays has been huge.”

The Cougars will welcome a large crowd in Manson for the second straight season.

“It’s a great feeling for our town and our community to be at home,” Noffsinger said. “The last couple of games at home we have had good turnouts.

“It’s a good feeling to play in front of our home crowd. That’s a huge advantage.”