NORTH MANCHESTER – The Manchester Squires would have loved nothing than to get in the win column against Three Rivers Conference and Wabash County rival Northfield Friday night. The Squires’ first win of the season, however, still eludes them, as they fell to 0-5 overall and 0-3 in the TRC, while Northfield improved to 5-0 and 3-0 with a dominating 65-6 win. In what was a rainy and stormy Homecoming Night, the Squires couldn't weather the storm created by Northfield’s offense, which has outscored its opponents 240-57 this season. Last week, it was Jarred Short who lit up the scoreboard at Tippecanoe Valley. Friday it was Jackson Beery in the spotlight, scoring twice in the opening half, including a 74-yard touchdown run. Manchester opened Friday’s game with impressive first-quarter drives, penetrating Northfield's red zone twice. But a fumble by Bailey Ness halted one possession and the Norse defense got the Squires to turn the ball over on downs on the other. The hosts did get on the board in the second quarter, as Jared Gable scored on a 6-yard pass from Ness. The extra point attempt failed, but it kept the Squires in the game at 27-6 with five minutes left in the second quarter. Northfield scored two more times after Manchester's first and only score, going into the half with a 41-6 lead. Because of inclement weather, the game was delayed for nearly 90 minutes before play was resumed, and 43 seconds into the third quarter, Short ran 40 yards for a touchdown. Manchester head coach Greg Miller was not available for comment following the game. Northfield looks to maintain perfection Friday when they host the Rochester Zebras. Manchester will try again to get in the win column as it travels to Akron to play the Tippecanoe Valley Vikings.
