NORTH MANCHESTER - The game plan for both Woodlan and Manchester Friday night in the first round of sectional action was simple, run right, run left and run up the middle. With such simple schemes, one play can often times make a difference.

That was the case Friday night.

The game was decided on the right toe of Woodlan kicker Brandon Wells. His extra point after the only score of the night for the Warriors was the deciding factor as Woodlan eliminated the Squires 7-6.

"Little things make a difference," said Manchester head coach Al Bailey. "Our defense put us in position to win."

The Squires defense did more than put the team in position to win, they scored the team's only points.

With Woodlan looking at a long second down and 29 yards to go, Warriors quarterback Justin Gay dropped back for a screen pass. But the play was read perfectly by the Manchester defense.

Squires linebacker Henry Hatfield stepped in front of the intended receiver and raced 35 yards into the endzone. The point after attempt was missed though by Manchester leaving the team with only a six-point advantage.

That lead held up for Manchester through the third quarter.

With the two teams slugging it out between the tackles the Warriors took a chance and went to the air in the fourth quarter.

Gay whipped a quick pass out to wide-out Nick Creager. Instead of turning up field though Creager, who was behind the line of scrimmage, heaved the ball down field to receiver Andy Hertig who went into the endzone from 81 yards out.

Wells' extra point gave Woodlan a slim margin with 9:02 left in the game.

Still the Squires were not out of the ball game.

On the team's next possession Manchester matched Woodlan and went to the air. A completed pass from quarterback Jared Mobley to Jennen Gaerte moved the ball down to the Warriors 35-yard line. Two plays later though Mobley was intercepted to end the threat.

After forcing Woodlan to punt Manchester got the ball back with 3:06 left on the clock.

Mobley again went to the air. This time he connected with receiver Nick Poe for 12 yards before finding Gaerte on a 28-yard pass play to move the ball down to the Woodlan 22-yard line.

A fumble, a sack and two incomplete passes later though and the game was over for Manchester as the Warriors took over on downs.

"Woodlan played one of the best games they've played all year," said Bailey after the loss. "They got that double pass and our kids kind of let up."

The Squires season ends with a record of 2-8. The team graduates 13 seniors who Bailey thought played hard in their final game.

"I'm pretty proud of them," said Bailey. "They push it to the limit every play and you can't ask for more than that."

WOODLAN 7,

MANCHESTER 6

Woodlan 0 0 0 7- 7

Manchester 0 6 0 0- 6

W M

First downs 8 12

Rushing yards 30-36 52-151

Passing yards 117 98

Comp.-Att.-Int. 7-17-1 4-8-1

Total offense 153 249

Penalties/yards 1-5 1-15

Fumbles-Lost 1-0 1-0

Punts-Avg 7-30.9 4-29.3

Scoring

Second Quarter

M-Henry Hatfield 35-yard interception return (PAT kick failed) 6-0

Fourth Quarter

W-Nick Creager 49-yard pass to Andy Hertig (PAT kick good)

MANCHESTER STATISTICS

Rushing - I. Mobley 20-76, Stoops 17-36

Passing - J. Mobley 4-8-1 98 yards

Receiving - Gaerte 2-47 yards, Stoops 1-28, Poe 1-12

WOODLAN STATISTICS

Rushing - C. Foster 15-29

Passing - Gay 6-16--1 68 yards

Receiving - Hertig 1-49, Ehle 4-31 [[In-content Ad]]