Dutch concentrate on a homecoming win, 55–12
by Marsha Chartrand
The Flying Dutchmen made a resounding comeback in Friday night’s homecoming game, defeating Leslie 55–12.
“After the setback the previous week, I was extremely happy to see how focused our players were during practice the entire week,” said Coach Ben Pack. “This proved to continue on Friday. The first half was the most focused we have played all year long, with each unit supporting each other.”
The first quarter started off strong with the Dutchmen scoring an easy 24 points. Two quick rushes by Blake Sloan each complemented by a PAT from kickers Jeff Sangster and Lydia Bennett, followed by Tommy Johnson receiving an 18-yard pass from Kannon Duffing followed up by another PAT from Sangster, and finally a 31-yard field goal from Sangster at the end of the quarter loaded on 24 points for Manchester, while Leslie stood scoreless.
The second quarter was a repeat of the first, with a few new players. Brady Reed and Alexander Woods were each the recipients of quick passes from Duffing and were followed up with PATs from Bennett and Sangster. Sloan had another two-yard rush across the goal line, supported by Bennett’s PAT. And Sangster again ended the second quarter with a field goal of 34 yards to bring the score to 48–0, Manchester.
Both teams went scoreless in the third quarter, while Leslie scored two TDs in the final quarter and Manchester’s Brady Reed scored on a 24-yard TD rush supplemented by Sangster’s PAT, ending the game at 55–12.
Sloan was the workhorse again, rushing for 165 yards on 18 carries. “Bubba Duffing and our offensive line do an excellent job of creating alleys for Blake,” Pack noted. “When the ball is in his hands he has very good vision, the ability to make cuts, and the strength to bull his way through tight spots.”
Pack added that while Blake and Kannon have played well the entire season, it is the support of the blockers that are the unsung heroes. “Jozef Sprunk, Dylan Gauss, Dom Herrst, Landon LaVigne, and Nathan Fletcher have allowed our offense to click each game,” he said.
The middle school team is off to an outstanding start at 2–0. They have shut out both opponents and scored over 60 points to start the season, Pack added.
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