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Manchester drops 96-20 decision to Grove City Christian in home opener
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By MATT MONTAVON Sports Writer
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MANCHESTER, Ohio -- The combination of Manchester turnovers and big plays from Grove City Christian took the Greyhounds out of contention early in their first varsity home game since 1980 and eventually resulted in a 96-20 win for the Eagles.
The Greyhounds had four interceptions, three fumbles and two botched snaps on punts. The Eagles took advantage from the start, taking a 41-0 lead at the end of the first quarter and a 76-0 margin into the half.
"We didn't come out as mentally prepared as we could've," said Manchester head coach Nick Neria. "We kind of got wrapped up in the day and being able to turn on the lights and everything else. Grove City Christian has some great athletes and they put it to us quickly and relentlessly."
Still, on an night when Manchester honored around 20 former coaches and players from the school's first attempt at football, the lopsided score did little to dampen the spirits of a sizable crowd which filled the new bleachers and the hill surrounding the field.
"There was more to this night than just this game," Neria added. "It was a great night for our town and for our county, just being able to have something to do here and have a special athletic event. I'm pleased with the turnout and even though we were on the wrong end, the fans were very supportive and we were proud to be out here."
On Grove City Christian's first series, running back Jesse Barns gave a hint of what was in store when he ran for 24 yards on the first offensive play and scampered down the right side for a 28-yard touchdown three plays later. By the time the first quarter came to a close, Barns had carried the ball seven times for 129 yards and three touchdowns while also catching TD passes of nine and 40 yards. He carried the ball one time in the second quarter -- a 58-yard touchdown -- before making his way to the bench with 236 yards and six touchdowns on just 10 touches.
Grove City quarterback Chris Bowman was also impressive early, going 6-of-8 for 123 yards and hooking up with his twin brother Bryce on two more touchdown strikes. A J.T. Thomas punt return, a Jaymie Barns fumble return and a Zach Vance touchdown run rounded out the first half scoring.
Despite trailing 76-0 and finishing the first half with negative yardage, the Greyhounds came out firing and scored on their first three possessions of the second half. A 52-yard pass from Dawson Little to Michael Trombley set up the first score, a five yard toss from Little to Dalton Simpson. On Manchester's next series, Ian Watterson returned the kick to the Eagles' 30-yard-line, then scored on a 17-yard run two plays later. At the beginning of the fourth quarter, Little found Trombley again on a 62-yard pass, with Trombley scoring from two yards out on the next play.
"These guys seem to find a little something extra in the second half and put together a better second half than first most of the time," Neria Said. "I wish we could play a whole game and see where we're at."
Though the Greyhounds were finally on the board, Grove City continued to match scores throughout the half, thanks to a 90-yard interception return by Bradley Saxton and touchdown runs of 14 yards by David Pashovich and 53 yards by Connor Lucas.
Grove City Christian 41 35 14 6 -- 96
Manchester 0 0 12 8 -- 20
First Quarter
GCC -- Jesse Barns 26 run (Vacha kick), 11:18
GCC -- Jesse Barns 73 run (Vacha kick), 9:21
GCC -- B.Bowman 39 pass from C.Bowman (kick failed), 7:31
GCC -- Jesse Barns 9 pass from C.Bowman (Vacha kick), 4:53
GCC -- Jesse Barns 40 pass from C.Bowman (Vacha kick), 2:25
GCC -- Jesse Barns 3 run (Vacha kick), :50
Second Quarter
GCC -- Thomas 48 punt return (Vacha kick), 11:00
GCC -- B.Bowman 2 pass from C.Bowman (Vacha kick), 10:31
GCC -- Jaymie Barns 39 fumble return (Vacha kick), 9:32
GCC -- Vance 18 run (Vacha kick), 5:27
GCC -- Jesse Barns 58 run (Vacha kick), 3:37
Third Quarter
M -- Simpson 5 pass from Little (run failed), 8:14
GCC -- Pashovich 14 run (Vacha kick), 3:14
M -- Watterson 17 run (run failed), 1:40
GCC -- Lucas 53 run (Vacha kick), :35
Fourth Quarter
M -- Trombley 2 run (Little run), 11:46
GCC -- Saxton 90 interception return (run failed), 6:42
Rushing: GCC -- Jesse Barns 8-187, Vance 3-67, Lucas 1-53, Jayme Barns 1-42, Pashovich 4-36, #9 5-28, #10 4-16, #42 3-7. M -- Watterson 9-21, Little 6-10, Trombley 4-1, Grooms 1-(-2).
Passing: GCC -- C.Bowman 6-8-123-0. M -- Little 11-29-167-4.
Receiving: GCC -- Jesse Barns 2-49, B.Bowman 3-47, #5 1-27. M -- Trombley 6-134, Watterson 2-13, Simpson 2-12, Grooms 1-8.
Records: Grove City Christian 6-1, Manchester 0-7. |
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