Manchester starts season with 28-41 loss to Clinton
Editor's Note: This week's Flying Dutchmen Varsity Football Coverage sponsor is JoAnn Okey.
by Tyler Scott
It was a nightmarish start to the season until Manchester finally figured out how to get the ball in the end zone.
The Flying Dutchmen lost to the visiting Clinton Redskins 28-41 in the season-opening game last week. Manchester didn’t score any points until the second half, but managed to keep the score competitive once the offense found its stride.
“We got a little more comfortable with what we were trying to do (in the second half),” said Manchester Head Coach Mike Blumenauer. “Just first game stuff. Next week I think we’ll be a lot smoother and a lot more polished.”
The Redskins (1-0) passed once the entire game and built a 28-0 lead by halftime. Clinton’s offense was a mix of brute force and deception. The Redskins used multiple running backs and fake hand-offs to gain 570 total yards of offense on 54 running plays.
The game started on Thursday. Lightning during halftime forced a delayed finish to the game on Friday.
Manchester (0-1) scored its first points when senior running back Jacob Kurgin returned a kickoff 76 yards for a touchdown to bring the score to 35-8 in the third quarter. The Redskins scored just once more the rest of the game. Clinton’s early lead was too much to overcome, but The Flying Dutchmen proved they can compete late in games.
Senior Redskins running back Noah DeShano led his team with 240 yards and 4 touchdowns on 18 carries. Junior running back Jack Voll gained 167 yards and a touchdown. Junior David Campbell scored a touchdown too, along with 147 yards. Clinton’s single pass attempt fell incomplete.
“That’s a pretty good football team over there. I have a lot of respect for Clinton,” Blumenauer said. “But I think we’re going to use this second half as a little momentum builder going into next week.
Manchester showed flashes of promise on offense, outscoring Clinton in the second half despite the Redskins early lead and dominating rushing attack. Senior quarterback Tyler Horky finished the game 12/29 passing with 176 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception off a deflected pass that quashed an otherwise productive offensive drive in that disastrous first half. Horky also led the team rushing, picking up 127 yards and a touchdown on nine carries.
They executed and really put some pressure on us,” said Clinton Head Coach Jeremy Fielder. “We need to do a better job next time.”
It’s hard to prepare for a live game with so few players. Only 16 Manchester players dressed to play for the first game.
“We don’t even have enough (players) to go two full teams to practice against,” said Blumenauer.
Blumenauer says three players will return in the second half of next week’s game against Cascades Conference rival Addison (0-1). He expects Manchester to compete for a Cascades Conference championship.
“If we can keep everybody healthy… I really think we got a shot to win the whole thing,” Blumenauer said. “But I just told the kids we’re focused on Addison. That’s all we’re focusing on: this next week.”
Horky first scored on a 40 yard touchdown run. Junior Flying Dutchmen wide receiver Hayden Taylor made an athletic touchdown catch in the corner of the Clinton end zone mid-way through the fourth quarter. Taylor finished with 82 yards and a touchdown on five catches.
Manchester scored again with 3:40 left in the game when Horky threw his second touchdown pass to the big senior tight end Braeden Caszatt. Caszatt had four catches total for 67 yards and a score.
The next game for the Flying Dutchmen is in Addison, September 6 at 7:00pm.
Tyler Scott covers football for the Manchester Mirror. He also hosts Weekend Afternoons on Michigan Radio (NPR)
Flying Dutchmen Varsity Football Coverage is only possible because of generous sponsors and supporters. This week's coverage is thanks to sponsor JoAnn Okey and co-sponsor Manchester Blooms. If you would like to sponsor varsity sports coverage in the Mirror click here for more information.
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