Dutch varsity drop first two games; showing improvement over last year

Kannon Duffing led the Dutchmen in passing during the first two weeks of play.

“In the first two games of the 2021 football season, the Flying Dutchmen of Manchester High School have shown their potential in the first half of each game competing with state ranked Clinton and Addison,” said Varsity Coach Ben Pack.

Ultimately, the Dutch dropped both contests but Pack says the team has improved tremendously from the 2020 campaign.

“Sophomore quarterback Kannon Duffing has passed the ball for 358 yards in the first two games, surpassing last season’s totals,” he said. “Receivers Jaxon McGuigan and Andrew Campbell have been Duffing’s main targets. The Dutch running game has shown signs of growth, but not matched the same progress.”

On August 26, Manchester welcomed Clinton for the first game of the season, and the Redskins started off scoring with a touchdown at the end of the first quarter; the PAT was good to end the quarter at 7-0. Clinton scored two more 6-point touchdowns and one PAT in the second quarter, to bring the score to 20-0.

With just six seconds remaining in the quarter, a successful 43-yard field goal brought the halftime score to 20-3.

“Kicker Max Edwards got off to a good start (against Clinton), breaking a school record for longest field goal,” Pack commented.

With 30 seconds remaining in the third quarter, the Dutch scored a touchdown. Edwards’ PAT attempt was unsuccessful, however, leaving the third-quarter score at 20-9.

As the fourth quarter began, Clinton began racking up the score, with a total of 41 points on the board when Manchester scored a 34-yard touchdown pass by Andrew Campbell at 8:50 for another Dutch touchdown. The two-point conversion pass was no good, leaving the score at 41-15, and the Redskins topped off the game with yet another touchdown to end at 48-15.

Last Thursday, the Dutch traveled to meet the Addison Panthers. Duffing passed for 196 yards, with 14 of 22 completed. Wyatt Carson led in rushing with 7 carries for 40 yards and one touchdown. Jaxon McGuigan was the leading receiver with six receives for a total of 94 yards.

Addison scored in the first quarter on a touchdown at 1:16. At 11:52 in the second quarter, the Dutch evened the score with a touchdown run by Carson, 6-6. The Panthers retaliated quickly, however, with a touchdown followed by a two-point conversion at 8:34, and another TD at 7:08 by Nicholas Trumble brought the score to 20-6.

Duffing completed a 16-yard pass to Aiden Kelly for a touchdown with just 36 seconds left in the half, with the PAT by Edwards successful to bring the halftime score to 20-13.

The second half was all Addison, with the Panthers scoring three more touchdowns followed by successful two-point conversions to bring the final score to 42-13.

Linebackers Garret Pope and Aiden Kelly have led the charge on defense, added Pack. The Dutchmen continue this week in Cascade League play, traveling to Napoleon on Friday, September 10.

Aiden Kelly

Jaxon McGuigan

Garrett Pope

Andrew Campbell

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by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.