The Manual Thunderbolts will take on the Burlington Cougars at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday. Both squads will be entering this one on the heels of a big victory.
Manual's defense heads into the game hoping to repeat the dominance they displayed on Thursday. They breezed past Jefferson to the tune of 57-0. The Thunderbolts haven't had any issues with the Saints recently, as the game was their ninth consecutive victory against them.
Marcus Keller
| 10/30/25 vs Jefferson | 96 |
| 10/24/25 @ Estes Park | 57 |
| 10/16/25 vs Platte Valley | 48 |
| 10/10/25 @ The Pinnacle | 59 |
| 10/04/25 vs Highland | 60 |
| + 3 more games |
Marcus Keller was his usual excellent self, throwing for 228 yards and four TDs on only nine passes, while also rushing for 96 yards and one touchdown on only five carries. That's the most rushing yards he has posted since back in September. Khriba Jackson Jr also deserves a mention for his punt return touchdown.
They were just one part of a punishing run game: Manual was unstoppable on the ground and finished the game with 252 rushing yards. They are a perfect 5-0 when they've run for more than 200 yards.
Manual didn't go easy on the quarterback and picked off three passes before the game was over. KhaMarion Jackson was the real danger to the passing game, picking up two interceptions all by himself. Manual got some further help from Tyree Toliver: he picked up 2.3 sacks and made seven total tackles.
Burlington never got on the board in their matchup two weeks ago, but that sure wasn't the case in their game against Holyoke on Friday. They took their contest with ease, bagging a 36-7 win over the Dragons. With the Cougars ahead 30-0 at the half, the matchup was all but over already.
Manual better keep an eye on Jason Saucedo. He was instrumental in Burlington's win, rushing for 286 yards and three scores while picking up 9.9 yards per carry. The team also got some help courtesy of Scout Humrich, who rushed for 43 yards and one touchdown.
Manual's victory bumped their record up to 6-3. As for Burlington, their win bumped their record up to 7-2.
Saturday's game might be decided on the ground. Manual has been unstoppable on the ground this season, having averaged 193.7 rushing yards per game. However, it's not like Burlington struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 318.2 rushing yards. There's a good chance Saturday's contest turns into a tough fight on the ground.
Manual was taken down by Burlington 47-8 in their previous matchup back in September of 2019. That matchup was all but decided by halftime, at which point the Thunderbolts were down 41-0.
