Dutch keep rolling over EJ, 55–8
Blake Sloan (#5) set a new school record for touchdowns scored in a game (6) on Friday night against the East Jackson Trojans. Photo courtesy of Blake Sloan.
by Marsha Chartrand
The Flying Dutchmen’s focus and attention to assignments continued during last Friday’s game versus East Jackson, and the team was rewarded with another substantial victory, carrying forward a 5–1 record into next week’s game against Grass Lake’s Warriors and a new school record into the history books for Manchester High School.
“The preparation of our defense for the option and passing attack paid off,” said varsity head coach Ben Pack. “Our defense played exceptional the entire night. The lone East Jackson score came off an errant pass in the second quarter that bounced off an EJ receiver into the hands of another player. Other than that, our kids held firm the entire night.”
Pack shared that Blake Sloan was the offensive star of the night rushing for 322 yards and a school record of six touchdowns in one game. “His workhorse effort allowed him to break tackles multiple times throughout the game,” Pack explained. “Blake simply would not go down. He kept his leg moving and breaking tackle after tackle. Our offensive line did an outstanding job with our double teams and trap blocks. Jozef Sprunk and Nathan Fletcher led the line with some of the best trap blocks we have seen all season.”
Sloan started off his scoring blitz with a one-yard rush for the touchdown early in the first quarter, followed up with a PAT by Jeff Sangster to bring the score to 7–0. Gunner Carson scored the second TD on a 15-yard rush, with Lydia Bennett kicking the PAT. Sloan picked up another 14 yards for his second touchdown of the quarter, supported by Sangster’s PAT kick to end the quarter with a 21–0 lead.
Starting off in the second quarter, Sloan had a 19-yard run for his third touchdown, with Bennett providing the PAT to bring the score to 28–0. His next short rush gained the Dutch six more points with no PAT, and a three-yard rush with another follow-up kick by Bennett gave the Dutchmen a 40–0 lead. Late in the second, Manchester’s errant pass was intercepted by EJ and returned for their only touchdown of the game, followed by a two-point conversion.
In the third, Sloan had an incredible 35-yard rush for his sixth and record-breaking touchdown of the game, followed by PAT from Sangster. Rounding out the game, Kannon Duffing successfully completed a 17-yard pass to Alexander Woods, with a PAT from Bennett for the final scoring of the game.
Pack had high words of praise for the defensive line. “Nathan Fletcher and Landon LaVigne played the best game of their career at defensive line,” he said. “Both dominated keeping the EJ quarterback off-balance. Linebackers Bubba Duffing and Drake Neff backed them up, playing just as well.
“Phoenix Hulswitt picked off two EJ passes, returning them for 69 yards,” he added. “Phoenix has been a huge factor in the improvement of our defense. His presence has been felt in every game.”
Kannon Duffing completed 75% of his passes, connecting with Woods for one touchdown.
“Our kicking game continues to shine,” Pack continued. “Gunner Carson’s punts and Jeff Sangster’s deep kick-off allows us to pin them deep, helping our defense with field position. Both Jeff and Lydia Bennett connected on point after touchdowns, with Lydia going 4 for 4. Jeff was 3 of 4 for the night.”
The middle school team continues to play exceptionally well, beating Leslie and moving to 3–0 for the season. The varsity plays on Friday at home versus Grass Lake. The game will highlight our Youth Programs for football and cheerleaders.
Go, Dutch!
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