Manchester splits games with rivals Leslie, East Jackson

by Marsha Chartrand

Leslie, September 27, 2024

Manchester’s Flying Dutchmen traveled to Leslie on Friday, September 27, and faced a hard-fought loss vs the Blackhawks, 45–28. Leslie has had an undefeated season so far, having beat Napoleon 36–28 on October 4.

Jayden Johnson started off the scoring with a touchdown, assisted by a two-point conversion by Walter Ahrens at the beginning of the first quarter. Leslie responded with a 46-yard TD run and their own two-point conversion to bring the game to a tie. But that didn’t hold for long, because before the first quarter ended, Brady Reed had run the ball from the 49 and carried it to the end zone for a touchdown. Walter Ahrens ran the ball from the < 6 and carried the ball to the end zone for the two-point conversion.

Manchester 16, Leslie 6 as Q2 begins.

The Blackhawks showed their stuff in the second quarter, scoring 26 points with the duo of Joel Cranemore and Jaden Colby and taking a 16-point lead over the Dutchmen at the half.

Manchester’s valiant defensive effort in the third did not make up for the big rallies from Leslie. Jayden Johnson, as part of 177 yards rushing offense in the game, made two touchdowns and Walter Ahrens was successful in one of two two-point conversions.

Two more Leslie TDs in the fourth quarter kept the ball moving for all of the game, as 13 more points were scored by the Blackhawks, making this Manchester’s first loss of the season.

East Jackson, October 4, 2024

Manchester was back at home on Friday night to meet the East Jackson Jayhawks. The Dutch handed them their sixth loss, 72–19, with the majority of the scoring taking place in the second quarter.

Dutch offensive leaders included: passing, Jackson Walz, 393.1; rushing, Jayden Johnson, 96 yards gained; and receiving, Phoenix Hulswitt, 21 yards gained. Other standouts included Walter Ahrens and Bubba Duffing.

The Dutch will face Grass Lake (currently 3–3) on Friday at 7pm on the Warriors’ home field. GO, DUTCH!

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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.