Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
ROCHESTER - "You feel the pressure, you make mistakes, and you lose big games," said Manchester coach Al Bailey.
The Manchester Squires football team traveled to Three Rivers Conference foe Rochester Friday night, only to walk away defeated 47-7.
Both teams entered the battle boasting 3-0 records in the TRC. But with a lot at stake, it was the Zebras who made the big plays.
Rochester players recovered seven Manchester turnovers, including six interceptions and one fumble recovery on the night.
"My team is coached to do certain things each week," Bailey said. "Mistakes just happen due to lack of preperation. Rochester was really prepared well for us, and we just weren't prepared well for them."
Whether it was lack of preparation or a tough rivalry, Manchester's football team just couldn't handle the Zebras.
Rochester's defense was successful in shutting down the Squires' leading receiver, Annon Gaerte, in the first half, holding him to only one reception.
Gaerte did pick up the pace in the second half, finishing the game with five receptions for a total of 62 yards.
The Zebras' defense also held the Squires to 63 yards rushing, including just 46 from leading rusher Josh Peden. Peden entered the game with 685 rushing yards this season.
"We constantly missed tackles, gave up big yardage and poorly executed our offense," Bailey said.
Manchester quarterback Klay Bechtold threw for 161 yards on 11 of 29 passes. He also threw for the Squires' lone score of the game, a 31-yard pass to Gaerte.
The rushing corps of the Zebras was just too much for Manchester to handle. Rochester combined for 284 yards on the ground on 43 carries. Dan Wagoner and Deric Beck, Rochester's main backfield men, carried for 185 of those yards.
"Rochester had great strength carrying the ball. They were healthy, strong and ran extremely well," Bailey said.
The Squires are going to have to stay healthy as they finish their schedule against all TRC teams.
"I don't believe this conference is decided yet. Rochester could still be beaten by a strong Whitko team next week," Bailey told his players afterward.
Manchester (4-2, 3-1 TRC) goes on the road to Wabash to take on TRC rival Southwood (5-1, 3-1 TRC).
ROCHESTER 47, MANCHESTER 7
Manchester 0 0 0 7 - 7
Rochester 10 7 17 13 - 47
M R
First downs 9 15
Rushing yards 17-63 43-284
Passing yards 161 103
Comp.-Att.-Int. 11-29-6 7-17-103
Total offense 224 387
Fumbles lost 1-1 0-0
Punts/avg. 2-32 2-31
Penalties/yards 4-40 9-90
First Quarter
R -ÊJason Fincher 19 field goal, 6:49, 3-0
R - Dan Wagoner 35 run (Fincher kick), 2:06, 10-0
Second Quarter
R -ÊDeric Beck 19 pass from Kevin Clark (kick good), 5:23, 17-0
Third Quarter
R - Beck 10 run (kick good), 6:59, 24-0
R - Wagoner 25 pass from Clark (kick good), 1:49, 31-0
R - Fincher 30 field goal, 6.7, 34-0
Fourth Quarter
R -ÊClark 12 run (kick good), 7:39, 41-0
R - Adam Frounfelter 86 return (kick failed), 3:14, 47-0
M - Annon Gaerte 31 pass from Klay Bechtold (Kory Rupley kick good), 2:14, 47-7
INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
Rushing - Manchester: Josh Peden 13-46. Rochester: Dan Wagoner 19-122, Deric Beck 5-63.
Passing -ÊManchester: Bechtold 11-29-6 161. Rochester: Clark 7-17-0 103.
Receiving -ÊManchester: Gaerte 5-62. Rochester: Bob Prater 3-45.
