WABASH — One could say the Manchester football team made the most of dealing with tough weather elements at Wabash High School’s Alumni Field Friday. The Manchester Squires (3-5, 3-3 Three Rivers Conference) rolled up 372 yards on the ground en route to a 32-0 victory over the host Wabash Apaches (0-8, 0-6 TRC). It took a 20-point third quarter offensive burst to seal back-to-back wins for Manchester. “We still need to find a way to start faster,” Manchester coach Brandon Baker said. “Wabash was right with us in the first half, and we were only up 12-0 at halftime. We did a great job of coming out and playing strong in the second half. “That’s what we have been able to do this year,” he added. “We’ve been a good second half team.” MHS’ first second-half drive was a 53-yard march, set up by sophomore running back Jacob Casper’s 27-yard kickoff return, which set the Squires up just shy of midfield. One play after junior running back Gunner Ream hit a seam and rushed 39 yards to the Apache one-yard line, senior quarterback Jim Sainsbury dove in for a score to close the drive. The Squires didn’t have to wait long for their next chance as the hosts muffed the ensuing kickoff, putting Manchester at the Wabash 37-yard line. This time, Casper found a hole and weaved his way to the Wabash 3-yard line. From there, senior running back Evan Olinger ran in from two yards out for the touchdown. Manchester wrapped up its big third quarter after sophomore defensive back Dan Griese picked off an aerial attempt from Wabash junior quarterback Kodi Clemons. Griese’s pick at midfield led to a 55-yard drive which was closed by Olinger’s third rushing touchdown of the game, this one from 12 yards out. “It was good to see so many guys get involved in this win,” Baker said. “It was a team victory.” On the other side of Alumni Field, the Apaches did provide a stern test for the Squires in the first half. Wabash took the ball to near midfield on its first possession, but a high snap on a punt forced a run attempt that was stopped short. MHS moved 47 yards for the opening score with Olinger bouncing to the outside and skirting the sideline for a 15-yard touchdown run. Griese’s first interception of the game, at the MHS 18, opened an 88-yard scoring march that ate up over nine and a half minutes on the clock. Sophomore running back Evan Milam hammered in the last six yards for the touchdown. Wabash moved deep into Manchester territory two more times before the break, but the first attempt ended with an interception by Casper at MHS’ 16 and the second stalled at the Squires’ 4-yard line when a pass into the end zone was batted down to close the half. Manchester’s rushing juggernaut was led by an eight-rush, 103-yard effort from Casper. Junior running back Phoenix Goad, Olinger and Ream also rushed for more than 60 yards. Wabash finished with 102 yards on the ground, led by senior running back Tyler Brewer’s 20 carries for 67 yards. Manchester wraps up its regular season this Friday with when they visit Northfield. MANCHESTER 32, WABASH 0 M 6 6 20 0 – 32 W 0 0 0 0 – 0 M W 1st downs 19 7 Rushing yds 372 102 Passing yds 0 0 Comp-Att-Int 0-2-0 0-11-3 Total offense 372 102 Fumbles/lost 4/2 3/1 Penalties/yds 8/44 2/10 Punts/avg 1/33 2/30.5 First Quarter M – Evan Olinger 15 run (kick failed) 7:28, 6-0 Second Quarter M – Evan Milam 6 run (kick failed) 7:00, 12-0 Third Quarter M – Jim Sainsbury 1 run (run failed) 9:42, 18-0 M – Olinger 2 run (Sainsbury pass to Dan Griese) 8:28, 26-0 M – Olinger 12 run (kick failed) 7:28, 32-0 INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS Rushing – Manchester, Casper 8-103, Gunner Ream 7-69, Phoenix Goad 6-62, Olinger 7-63, Milam 9-37; Sainsbury 5-17, Jared Gable 4-(-1), Lucas Schilling 5-(-2), Noah Johnson 2-11; Wabash, Brewer 20-67, Clemons 17-35. Passing – Manchester, Sainsbury 0-1; Wabash, Clemons 0-7, 3 INTs.
