PERU – As Yogi Berra would say, it was deja vu all over again.
Just like last week, the Manchester football team found itself down at halftime.
And just like last week, Manchester pulled off a second-half comeback for a thrilling victory, this time 34-31 at Peru.
“It was an exciting game,” said Manchester coach Greg Miller. “I think you continue to see the Squires grow together as a team, as well as gaining that confidence in tight games.”
Manchester was down 25-19 at halftime after having the ball in the red zone and and failing to punch it in just before the break.
The Squires got the ball back to start the third quarter, but again failed to turn opportunity into points.
“We gotta turn it into points,” Miller said. “We can’t make mistakes that hurt us.”
Those missed chances ultimately didn’t matter. Manchester (2-2) held Peru (0-4) to six points in the second half, while Delton Moore scored two touchdowns to give the Squires the 34-31 lead.
Peru had a chance to win the game near the end with the ball at the 1-yard line. However, the Squires pulled off a gutsy goalline stand to seal the win.
In addition to his defense, Miller also gave a shoutout to Manchester’s ball-boys, eighth graders who weathered the rain to do their jobs.
Moore had another gargantuan night, finishing with 213 yards and three touchdowns on 29 carries.
Receiving — Manchester, Trey Clark 2-77, Tyler Andritsch 1-17.
Records: Manchester 2-2; Peru 0-4
Valley Vikings Fall In Conference Opener
SPEICHERVILLE – The Tippecanoe Valley football team lost 27-7 Friday in a Three Rivers Conference North Division matchup at Northfield.
The Vikings (1-3, 0-1 TRC North) were outscored 21-0 in the first half before scoring their lone touchdown of the game in the third quarter.
Northfield (2-2, 1-0 TRC North) also scored in the third for insurance points.
Valley will face Whitko at home on Friday at 7 p.m.
NORTHFIELD 27,
TIPPECANOE VALLEY 7
TV 0 0 7 0 — 7
N 14 7 6 0 — 27
TV N
Rushing yds 151 148
Passing yds 61 148
Total yds 212 296
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Rushing — Valley, Cameron Parker 19-67, Wes Melanson 7-55, Dakota Gaff 6-27, Alex Morrison 1-0, Jaydin Conley 1-0, Johnny Gonsalez 1-(-3). Passing — Valley, Noah Miller 5-11-61, 3 INT. Receiving — Valley, Morrison 2-29, Jon Humes 1-28, Parker 1-3.
Records: Tippecanoe Valley 1-3, 0-1 TRC North; Northfield 2-2, 1-0 TRC North
Whitko Scores First Points In Loss
SOUTH WHITLEY – Whitko put up its first points of the season Friday, but still lost 42-16 to Rochester in a Three Rivers Conference North Division game at home.
The Wildcats (0-4, 0-1 TRC North) were down 28-0 before they scored their first touchdown on a 1-yard run by Cade Berg.
They scored again in the fourth quarter, down 42-8, when Berg caught a 9-yard pass from Dominick Moseley.
Whitko gained 110 rushing yards on 47 carries, to Rochester’s 331 rushing yards on 34 rushes.
The Wildcats will travel to Tippecanoe Valley for a game at 7 p.m. Friday.
ROCHESTER 42, WHITKO 16
W 0 8 0 8 — 16
R 14 14 14 0 — 42
W R
1st downs 10 11
Rushing yds 110 331
Passing yds 56 71
Comp-Att-Int 6-15-0 2-5-0
Total yds 166 402
Fumbles/lost 1/0 2/2
Penalties/yds 4/27 7/61
First Quarter
R – Isaiah Jackson 68 run (Wade Shafer kick), 5:54
R – Haydn Prater 67 run (Shafer kick), 2:35
Second Quarter
R – Prater 56 run (Shafer run) 11:50
R – Wilson Daulton 61 pass from Brady Perez (Shafer kick), 7:14
W – Cade Berg 1 run (Moseley conversion pass to Berg), 2:15
Third Quarter
R – Jackson 9 run (Shafer kick), 10:28
R – Bryce Abbott 1 run (Shafer kick), 3:31
Fourth Quarter
W – Berg 9 pass from Moseley (Berg conversion run), 10:11
