Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Manchester playing at No.9 in 2A Southwood - a blowout?
Hardly.
The 1-4 Squires coming off a 41-7 loss to Rochester were against all odds Friday night matching up with a 4-1 team, who trounced North Miami 63-6 last week.
It was more like a perfect setting for a big upset as Southwood held its homecoming night. However, it just wasn't meant to be as Southwood squeaked out a 12-6 victory.
After a scoreless first quarter, Manchester went on a 15-play, 62-yard drive capping it off with a 9-yard scoring strike from quarterback Rex Reimer to Annon Gaerte across the middle of the endzone.
On the ensuing kickoff, Southwood took control on its own 30-yard line. With just a minute to go before halftime, quarterback Tyler Guenin found D.J. Marshall wide open for a 66-yarder to set up a Andrew Hanlon 1-yard run.
With both teams missing their extra points, they were all tied up at six.
Trying to get the lead before half, Reimer threw it long, but was picked off by Paul Wright and returned it to field-goal range. With only four seconds to go in the half, Clint Marshall set a 26-yarder sailing through the uprights and a 9-6 Southwood lead.
Marshall provided the winning points in the third quarter with another field goal, this time from 30 yards out.
The running game slowed down for the Squires as they appeared ineffective on the passing as well in the second half and could not post anymore points on the board.
All in all, it was a great sign of improvement for the Squires.
Manchester (1-5) hosts Oak Hill (2-5) Friday.
