Manchester Roster Already Full Of Injuries
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Anthony [email protected]
"We had 52 come out, but we've had a lot go down with injuries," Manchester's eighth-year head coach Brandon Baker said. "We've got five that are ineligible for the first few games and another nine that have gotten hurt."[[In-content Ad]]So with options dwindling, the Squires will have 10 different guys starting on offense and defense, including starting quarterback Dylin Kennedy.
Kennedy returns to the Squires after finishing second in the Three Rivers Conference by completing 61 of 136 passes for 634 yards and six touchdowns last year.
"He's doing a good job of leading by example, but he's also becoming a more vocal leader," Baker said of his quarterback. "The guys are listening to him."
On top of leading the offense, Kennedy will also be a focal point for the defense as a starting linebacker.
"He's one of the best we have, so we have no choice," Baker said about starting his quarterback at linebacker.
Gone from last year's team are Kennedy's favorite receiver Corey Thomas, as well as leading rusher Kyle Henderson.
During last season's 3-5 campaign, Thomas caught 25 passes for 832 yards and six touchdowns. Henderson finished the year with a 4.5 rushing average, picking up 750 yards on 168 attempts, while also scoring eight touchdowns.
"Kyle's going to be a real big loss," Baker said. "He did a little bit of everything - offense, defense and special teams."
This year, Kennedy will have Brady Miller at tailback, as well as Seth Dotson and Seth Brubaker.
"Brady ran a little for us last year," Baker said of Miller, who rushed for 320 yards as a junior. "We'll be okay at running back."
The coach is also comfortable with his receiving corp. of Kyle Boone, Ryan Henderson and Connor McLaughlin.
A point of concern for Baker is the offensive line.
"We're very thin up front," he said. "We've already had three get hurt and two others are out for the season."
The guys he does have are Erik Howard, Ryan Byers, Josh Robinson, Dillon Boyd and Matt Rhoades.
"We're going to try to use motion and get teams off-balance," Baker said of the offensive game plan.
When the offense is off the field, Byers, Boyd and Rhoades will continue to play, beginning the season not only as starting offensive lineman, but also as starting defensive linemen.
Joining Kennedy at linebacker, in Manchester's 3-5 defense, will be Miller, Brubaker, Dotson and Josh Robinson.
Henderson, Boone and Skyler Honeycutt round out the Squires' defense in the secondary.
"We start 10 guys who play both offense and defense, but that's what we got to do," Baker said.
With such a small number of guys getting playing time, seeing his team wear down is a real possibility for Baker.
"This year, we probably had one of our most physical two-a-days," Baker said. "The guys responded well, but it's different to be running sprints than it is to having guys hit you."
And the Squires can expect to be hit once Three Rivers Conference play begins in two weeks.
"Rochester is always going to be good," Baker said. "I know Tippecanoe Valley is projected to be down, but I think they'll be good. Whitko is much improved and Southwood returns a lot on their offensive line.
"If we keep the turnovers down and execute well, we could be right in the mix," Baker said.
Manchester opens its season tonight at Mississinewa at 7 p.m.
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"We had 52 come out, but we've had a lot go down with injuries," Manchester's eighth-year head coach Brandon Baker said. "We've got five that are ineligible for the first few games and another nine that have gotten hurt."[[In-content Ad]]So with options dwindling, the Squires will have 10 different guys starting on offense and defense, including starting quarterback Dylin Kennedy.
Kennedy returns to the Squires after finishing second in the Three Rivers Conference by completing 61 of 136 passes for 634 yards and six touchdowns last year.
"He's doing a good job of leading by example, but he's also becoming a more vocal leader," Baker said of his quarterback. "The guys are listening to him."
On top of leading the offense, Kennedy will also be a focal point for the defense as a starting linebacker.
"He's one of the best we have, so we have no choice," Baker said about starting his quarterback at linebacker.
Gone from last year's team are Kennedy's favorite receiver Corey Thomas, as well as leading rusher Kyle Henderson.
During last season's 3-5 campaign, Thomas caught 25 passes for 832 yards and six touchdowns. Henderson finished the year with a 4.5 rushing average, picking up 750 yards on 168 attempts, while also scoring eight touchdowns.
"Kyle's going to be a real big loss," Baker said. "He did a little bit of everything - offense, defense and special teams."
This year, Kennedy will have Brady Miller at tailback, as well as Seth Dotson and Seth Brubaker.
"Brady ran a little for us last year," Baker said of Miller, who rushed for 320 yards as a junior. "We'll be okay at running back."
The coach is also comfortable with his receiving corp. of Kyle Boone, Ryan Henderson and Connor McLaughlin.
A point of concern for Baker is the offensive line.
"We're very thin up front," he said. "We've already had three get hurt and two others are out for the season."
The guys he does have are Erik Howard, Ryan Byers, Josh Robinson, Dillon Boyd and Matt Rhoades.
"We're going to try to use motion and get teams off-balance," Baker said of the offensive game plan.
When the offense is off the field, Byers, Boyd and Rhoades will continue to play, beginning the season not only as starting offensive lineman, but also as starting defensive linemen.
Joining Kennedy at linebacker, in Manchester's 3-5 defense, will be Miller, Brubaker, Dotson and Josh Robinson.
Henderson, Boone and Skyler Honeycutt round out the Squires' defense in the secondary.
"We start 10 guys who play both offense and defense, but that's what we got to do," Baker said.
With such a small number of guys getting playing time, seeing his team wear down is a real possibility for Baker.
"This year, we probably had one of our most physical two-a-days," Baker said. "The guys responded well, but it's different to be running sprints than it is to having guys hit you."
And the Squires can expect to be hit once Three Rivers Conference play begins in two weeks.
"Rochester is always going to be good," Baker said. "I know Tippecanoe Valley is projected to be down, but I think they'll be good. Whitko is much improved and Southwood returns a lot on their offensive line.
"If we keep the turnovers down and execute well, we could be right in the mix," Baker said.
Manchester opens its season tonight at Mississinewa at 7 p.m.
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