Dutchmen advance to second round in playoffs
“One Team, One Family” — that’s Coach Pack’s philosophy. Football “brothers,” Landon LaVigne (56) and Jaxon McGuigan (7) share their exhilaration after the end of Friday night’s game. Photo courtesy of John Osadchuk.
by Marsha Chartrand
It has been an exciting week for the Manchester Flying Dutchmen.
“Qualifying for the MHSAA football playoffs is a huge step in the process of regaining momentum for our program,” said varsity head coach Ben Pack. “When learning our opponent was going to be Grass Lake, our players were excited to have a rematch from two weeks ago.”
The players were ready; the community was ready. The entire week seemed like one big pep rally for our team. “GO DUTCH” signs appeared in store windows and yards and just about everywhere else you could look. And the players responded to the enthusiasm by playing hard all 48 minutes of the game.
Starting out with a 21-yard touchdown run at the beginning of the second quarter, by Gunner Carson, brought the scoreboard alight with a 7-0 in Manchester’s favor; Derek Huff’s PAT kick was successful and gave the Dutch the momentum to bring the lead to 14-0 with just :53 seconds before the half on a one-yard run by Kannon Duffing. Huff’s PAT was good and Manchester looked secure going into halftime.
“However when their tailback broke contain on the first play of the next series, and ran 77 yards for a touchdown (with :38 seconds remaining in the half), it was evident the game would go down to the very end,” Pack said. The two teams went into the half strategizing how to maintain what they had gained in that final minute of play and capitalize on it.
During the third quarter, the battle for momentum continued, as both teams struggled to move the ball.
“When Grass Lake scored our kids kept their composure,” Pack said. “When Grass Lake scored the second time our kids showed their mental toughness. The first PAT kick was blocked by Gunner Carson, making the score 14-13. When they scored their second touchdown to go up 19-14 early in the fourth quarter, our kids could have quit … instead they showed G.R.I.T.T. (Great Results in Time and Trust.)”
The defense held its ground, and with five minutes to go in the game, the offense marched the field and scored on a Wyatt Carson 9-yard run. Quarterback Kannon Duffing hooked up with Andrew Campbell for the point-after pass, making the score 22-19.
“We went for the two-point conversion because we knew if they got their kicker close he could make a field goal for the win,” Pack explained. “Converting the two-point conversion would force them to score a touchdown to win.”
Strategy. Strategy. Strategy.
But, Pack exulted, “All that thinking was for nothing. On the kick off, Nick Patrick tackled the returner, forced a fumble and recovered it himself. Nick plays hard on every kick off; and this was obviously his best play of the year.”
The offense ran out the clock for the Dutchmen’s first playoff win since beating Grass Lake in 2015.
“I am pleased with our team’s progress during the season,” Pack said. “We have improved every week. Beating a team that beat us two weeks earlier is testimony to our growth. Now, we have another opportunity to repeat that process.”
The Dutchmen face another huge challenge this week as they take on Napoleon, trying to avenge the team that gave them their first loss of the season, 30-25, in week three.
Pack says he is thankful to the community for all the support they have given the team this season and especially this past week. “The signs in the windows downtown show the community pride in Manchester,” he said. “We are fortunate to have everyone on our side.”
Friday night’s game will be at 7pm in Napoleon. Tickets must be purchased through GoFan link: https://gofan.co/app/events/749337?schoolId=MI3341 . Take your Dutch pride over to the west side!
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