Added on September 9, 2019  Sara Swanson

Panthers run past Dutchmen, 23-42

Editor’s Note: This week’s Flying Dutchmen Varsity Football Coverage sponsor is JoAnn Okey.

by Tyler Scott

On the road and in the rain, a pair of late game interceptions extinguished Manchester’s hopes for a comeback win. 

The Flying Dutchmen football team trailed most of the game in a 23-42 loss to the Addison Panthers in its second game of the season in Addison on Friday. The Panthers (1-1, 1-0) utilized a patient run game, racking up 355 yards on the ground. Manchester’s offense showed an ability to score quickly, but was undone by turnovers. 

“Turnovers killed us. That’s the biggest thing,” said Flying Dutchmen head coach Mike Blumenauer. “We turned the ball over, they didn’t. They out-executed us no question.”

Manchester (0-2, 0-1) trailed by a touchdown with 3:13 on the clock in the third quarter before momentum shifted decidedly in Addison’s favor. From that point, Flying Dutchmen senior quarterback Tyler Horky threw two interceptions -- Manchester then scored just once more in the game, while the Panthers racked up three more touchdowns to build a controlling lead. 

Twice, and for the first time of the season, the Flying Dutchmen possessed the lead. A 42 yard field goal by junior kicker Henry Wehrle gave the Flying Dutchmen a 3-0 lead six minutes into the second quarter.

After exchanging touchdown drives in the second quarter, both teams’ offenses were rolling. The game seemed primed to become a high-scoring shootout until, with less than two minutes remaining in the first half Horky ran the ball up the middle. As Horky collided with the defense, the ball popped out of his hands and high into the sky. An Addison defender leapt to recover the fumble, and by halftime the Flying Dutchmen trailed 11-16. 

Turnovers were the fault lines that shook Manchester’s offense throughout the rest of the night. 

“We just have to be more consistent with everything… and we have to cut the turnovers off,” said Blumenauer. 

For the second time in two games, Horky led the Flying Dutchmen in rushing and passing yards. Horky finished 16/28 passing for 271 yards and two interceptions. Horky rushed nine times for 27 yards, a fumble and a touchdown. Junior running back Collin McCaffrey and senior Manchester running back Nick Phillips each scored a rushing touchdown. Junior wide receiver Hayden Taylor reeled in five passing receptions for 94 yards.

The Panthers scored three unanswered touchdowns in the second half, including two touchdowns in 61 seconds of game clock as the Panthers capitalized on Horky’s second interception. 

“I think we just made a few more plays that flipped the game there, late in the third, early fourth (quarters),” said Panthers head coach Joshua Lindeman. “I think it was really just execution … we really talked about all week executing on every play, and knowing we were going to be in a four quarter game with a team like (Manchester).”

Five different Addison running backs carried the ball at least seven times. Junior Panther fullback Sam Larrowe led with 118 yards and a touchdown on 9 carries. Junior running back Nathan Rodlund carried the load, accumulating 103 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 18 carries. Bills rushed for a touchdown and went 2/2 passing for 67 yards and a touchdown. 

“(Manchester) has a heck of a quarterback, and a heck of a tight end and skill guys galore,” Lindeman said. “Our best way to stop them is when they’re standing on the sideline or playing defense. That’s our goal with our offense.”

Manchester next plays the Napoleon Pirates (1-1, 1-0) in Napoleon Friday at 7pm. 

At times, the playmaking ability of the Flying Dutchmen offense has showed why Blumenauer has said he thinks his team can compete for a Cascades Conference championship. Manchester’s struggle right now is a quest for consistency. 

“They’re executing, we’re not executing,” Blumenauer said. I’ll leave it at that.”

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. If you would like to sponsor varsity sports coverage in the Mirror click here for more information.