9.29.07-DEFIANCE SNAPS MC'S TWO-GAME WIN STREAK IN A 27-8 LOSS
Despite three turnovers by Defiance in the first half, Manchester trailed 7-3 heading into the break, and fell victim in a 27-8 win over Defiance to snap Manchester's two-game win streak and giving the Spartans their first conference loss of the year.
Defiance scored on their first possession of the game on a 63-yard drive to take a quick 7-0 lead, but the Spartan defense stepped and forced three first half turnovers by Defiance. Jermiah Jones had an interception and a forced fumble with a recovery that resulted in a 22-yard Brandon Wells field goal on two of DC's possessions and Jeff McDonald had a pick for the Spartans late in the second quarter.
In the third period, Adam VanZile recorded a safety for MC three minutes into the third period to give Defiance a 7-5 lead, but the Yellow Jackets responded with a 65-yard touchdown run to take a 13-5 lead. Wells hit a 24-yard field goal to make it 13-8 Defiance with 2:02 remaining in the third, but DC scored two unanswered touchdowns for the 27-8 win.
Quarterback Joel Hawkins led MC with 93 yards rushing on 25 carries. He was 14-32 passing for 137 yards and an interception. Defensively, it was Jeff McDonald leading the way with 11 tackles and an interception. Jones had six tackles with a pick, forced fumble and recovery. Mike DePoy and Beau Bradtmiller added seven tackles each.
Manchester drops to 2-2, 0-1 in the HCAC and hosts Bluffton next Saturday all part of MC's Homecoming Week festivities.
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Brandon Wells |
Spartans win! Wells and Yoder are HCAC Players of the Week |
Sophomore running back Brandon Wells (Woodburn, Ind./Woodlan) rushed for 157 yards and a touchdown as the football team picked up their second win of the year over Hiram, 54-14. Wells also had three receptions for 36 yards, including a TD. Along with two touchdowns, he connected on field goals of 21 and 27 yards, and was 6-7 on PAT attempts, accounting for 24 of MC's 54 points. Wells was named HCAC Offensive Football Player of the Week, while teammate Jared Yoder was named Special Teams Player of the Week. |
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Catch up on the week's action!
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