NORTH MANCHESTER – A pair of second-quarter scoring drives turned out to be the difference in a close Three Rivers League clash Friday night between the Manchester Squires and Rochester Zebras. Visiting Rochester parlayed the arm of senior quarterback Jon O’Dell and a strong rushing attack guided by sophomore Jake Howdeshell and junior Carter Screeton to score nine second-quarter points. Manchester, trying to give its homecoming crowd at Squire Field a victory, turned in a strong second-half scoring drive but couldn’t capitalize on other chances in a 9-6 loss. Rochester, heading into a key clash with fellow league unbeaten Tippecanoe Valley, improved to 4-0 in the TRC and 4-2 overall, while Manchester dipped to 1-5 and 1-3 with its final regular season home game on the agenda next weekend against Southwood. “We just need to figure out how to start faster,” Manchester head coach Brandon Baker said. “We had another good second-half effort, but we have got to find a way to play a full game. “With three games remaining before sectionals, we just need to work on how to make ourselves better,” he added. O’Dell, battling through a steady rain, hit on 10 of 21 pass attempts for 129 yards. His first attempt found the waiting arms of senior wide receiver Sheldon Albright midway through the second period for a 19-yard scoring strike. After holding the Squires on their ensuing possession, the visitors picked up where they left off. Converting on a 4th-and 23 and 4th-and 12, the Zebras drove deep into Manchester territory and turned it into points when O’Dell hit a 31-yard field goal for a 9-0 lead. Despite only generating two first-half first downs, Baker’s squad opened the second half on a roll. Buoyed by a continued strong presence from its defense which included a stop on the Squires’ 13-yard line, Manchester got on a 57-yard march to bridge the third and fourth quarters. Senior quarterback Jim Sainsbury’s 1-yard dive into the end zone on fourth down was aided by a nifty fake punt call, as well as sophomore quarterback Lucas Schilling rambling 32 yards for a key first down and the running of sophomore back Jacob Casper. Trailing 9-6, Manchester had two more attempts. After a Rochester fumble,the Squires were stopped and forced to punt. On its final drive, Manchester went four-and-out from its own 35-yard line The Zebras were able to then run out the clock. Casper’s 16-carry, 79-yard rushing effort led Manchester’s offense. Sainsbury did complete one pass during the evening. “Our defense was great against a strong offense,” Baker said. “The offense just can’t seem to find a big play when it’s needed right now.” ROCHESTER 9, MANCHESTER 6 R 0 9 0 0 — 9 M 0 0 0 6 — 6
R M 1st downs 13 10 Rushing yds 77 159 Passing yds 129 0 Comp-Att 10-21-0 1-6-1 Total yds 206 159 Fumbles/lost 0/0 2/2 Penalties/yds 4/35 4/36 Punts/avg 3/39 3/31
First Quarter R – O’Dell 19 pass to Albright (kick failed) 6-0 Second Quarter R – O’Dell 31 FG, 9-0 Fourth Quarter M – Sainsbury 1 run (kick failed) 9-6
