BUTLER (3-3) AT MANUAL (5-0)
* Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. Thursday.
* Storyline: Crimsons trying to get to 6-0 for fourth straight year.
* Butler: The Bears dropped a 41-12 decision to Male last week. Senior quarterback Blake Showalter returned from a concussion to complete 9 of 15 passes for 82 yards and two touchdowns, and sophomore Eric Jackson rushed for 84 yards on 21 carries. Showalter has passed for 781 yards and seven TDs with eight interceptions this season.
* Manual: The Crimsons rolled past Western 40-6 last week as Jaelin Carter scored four touchdowns (two receiving, one rushing, one punt return). Carter finished with 81 rushing yards on four carries and three receptions for 35 yards. Manual’s defense is allowing just 6.4 points per game this season, ranking No. 1 in Class 6-A. Crimsons coach Scott Carmony will face a Butler program he coached eight seasons from 1999-2001 and 2008-12.
* Quotable: “It will be a little weird, I guess,” Carmony said of coaching against Butler. “(Butler coach Gary Wheeler) coached with me ever since I walked in the door over there, and I still consider him a great friend. All the guys over there are my friends. But I’m sure they’re telling their kids what I’m telling our kids, which is that this is a district game and it’s time to get this going.”
* The pick: Manual 28-7.