Football post-season wrap-up brings pride and honors to team
It was a good season for the Varsity Flying Dutchmen in 2023
by Marsha Chartrand
Varsity Football Coach Ben Pack has compiled and presented the highlights and post-season awards earned by our Dutchmen players for the 2023 season.
“We are grateful for all the support the Manchester community gave our team throughout the year,” Pack said. “Working hand in hand shows good things happen when people come together.”
Varsity Record 7–3 — JV Record 5–3 — Middle School Record 6–0
“Our team was recognized among the elite teams in the state, being ranked in the Top 10 in Division 7 in multiple polls, in multiple weeks, with #3 being the highest,” Pack noted. “Our team also qualified for playoffs, listed as having played the 11th-strongest schedule in the state in Division 7.”
Two players broke school records this season:
Kannon Duffing broke the school record for pass completions in a career, with a total of 313. He also broke the record for passing touchdowns in a career, with a total of 42.
Blake Sloan broke the school record for rushing touchdowns in a game — 6. Sloan also was listed #1 in rushing yards in the state on MaxPreps with 2,131 yards, and #4 in scoring with 25 touchdowns.
One player, Kannon Duffing, is representing Manchester High School on the MHSAA Student Advisory Council for the 2023–24 school year.
In the All Cascades Conference, a number of teammates received honors:
- Kannon Duffing — 1st Team Quarterback
- Blake Sloan — 1st Team Running Back
- Bubba Duffing — 1st Team Tight End
- Landon LaVigne — 1st Team Offensive Tackle
- Nathan Fletcher — 1st Team Defensive Line
- Gunner Carson — Honorable Mention LB
- Phoenix Hulswitt — Honorable Mention Defensive Back
Jackson M-Live All Area:
- Blake Sloan — Dream Team RB and LB
- Landon LaVigne — 2nd Team DL
- Kannon Duffing — 2nd Team QB
- Bubba Duffing — 2nd Team LB
- Nathan Fletcher — Honorable Mention OL and DL
1st Team Division 7 All Region 4:
- Landon LaVigne — 1st Team Offensive Line
- Nathan Fletcher — 1st Team Defensive Line
1st Team All State:
- Nathan Fletcher MHSFCA — 1st Team All State Defensive Line
- Blake Sloan Associated Press — 1st Team All State Running Back
Manchester High School Scholar Athletes:
We had 25 of our 41 players earn the MHS Scholar Athlete Award. Academic — All Conference: Luke Blumenauer, Jozef Sprunk, Alexander Woods, Lydia Bennett, Kannon Duffing, and Landon LaVigne.
MHSFCA Academic All State: Luke Blumenauer, Jozef Sprunk, Lydia Bennett, Kannon Duffing, and Landon LaVigne.
Team Academic All State Division 7, Honorable Mention. The team GPA of 3.84 ranked them on par with a couple of other nearby Division 7 powerhouses, including Clinton.
“For the second year in a row our team received Academic All State Recognition,” Pack commented. “This year we received Honorable Mention, with 100th of a point being the separation from first team honors.
“The Manchester community can be proud of our players. They have proven to be productive on the field and in the classroom.”
Finally, the team volunteered for numerous community service events, including building the BBQ pits for the Manchester World Famous Chicken Broil, distributing eggs for the Manchester Easter Egg Hunt, cleaning and organizing for the Senior Citizen Center, and teaching football skills at the Summer Youth Camp.
This is a team to be proud of, both on the field and off! GO, DUTCH!
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