Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
NORTH MANCHESTER - Manchester came into Friday night's game against Madison-Grant as heavy underdogs.
Madison-Grant was ranked 7th in Class 2A and was 8-1 on the season. For three quarters however, the Squires played as if they were the favorites before falling 20-7 in sectional action.
After Madison-Grant struck first with a 46-yard touchdown pass from Beau Engle to Dallas Coleman, the Manchester defense clamped down and kept its team in the game. They held Madison-Grant's Eric Sites and Josh Tobey to 161 yards rushing combined. Sites was averaging 190 yards per game. Manchester forced four fumbles but could only recover one. At halftime the Squires trailed 6-0.
Manchester came out in the second half and established the run. David Barret ran the ball five straight times for 23 yards. Then with the Madison-Grant defense on it's heels, Todd Sites ran through the middle and scored from 52 yards out. A Greg Groombridge kick put the Squires out in front 7-6 and created a huge momentum swing that went Manchester's way.
The Squires forced a three-and-out on Madison-Grant's next series which gave Manchester the ball deep in Argyll territory. Manchester had a chance to increase its lead but it couldn't capitalize.
On the Argylls' next possession Eric Stiles rumbled in from six yards out to recapture the lead for Madison-Grant. A two-point conversion put them on top 14-6.
In the fourth quarter, Manchester had several chances to take the lead. The Squires had the ball on Madison-Grant's 2-yard line, but on third down Rex Reimer threw an interception to Coleman. One reason for Manchester's ineffectiveness may have been fatigue.
"We came off the ball well early" Squires coach Al Bailey said. "But some of the guys we play on offense also play on defense so that could have been a factor."
When a Manchester drive stalled, Bailey decided to punt with 5:09 left in the game hoping that his defense would hold, but they didn't. Madison-Grant marched down the field and used more than three minutes of clock, capping off the drive with a Beau Engle 1-yard run.
Despite the loss Coach Bailey was pleased with his team's effort.
"Our guys gave a great effort Madison-Grant was bigger than us, but we played with them for most of the game," he said.
Manchester ends its season at 3-6.
