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Manchester rolls past East Jackson, 48-7

Wide open junior receiver Hayden Taylor readies to haul in a touchdown catch in the second quarter.

by Tyler Scott

The Trojans just weren’t going to get their first win this time around.

The Flying Dutchmen jumped out to a big lead in the early stages of a 48-7 win over East Jackson (0-4, 0-3 in Cascades Conference competition) at Manchester Friday. The first quarter was like a highlight reel, featuring touchdowns through the ground and air, turnovers and a score on special teams.

“We moved the ball really crisply tonight I thought,” said Manchester head coach Mike Blumenauer.

On the first offensive play of the game, senior Flying Dutchmen quarterback Tyler Horky completed a 55-yard pass to junior wide receiver Cody Guernsey for an instant jolt of momentum. Less than three minutes into the first quarter, senior running back Collin McCaffrey ran it five yards into the endzone for the first Manchester touchdown.

Yellow flags distracted both teams, along with some of the louder fans in the stands. Manchester (2-2, 2-1) and East Jackson were both penalized 11 times by the officials. Blumenauer said the issue would be “handled” on the practice field this week.

“If we’re in a (close) ball game those things can be critical as far as coming out on top, or not,” Blumenauer said. “So we have to clean it up, definitely.”

Late in the first quarter The Trojans were forced to attempt a punt from deep in their own territory, near the 18-yard line. The Flying Dutchmen defense blocked the punt. Off the deflection, senior linebacker Jacob Kurgin gracefully scooped up the ball and rumbled into the endzone for a touchdown. Manchester lead 20-0 with 1:22 to play in the first.

Guernsey led the ‘Dutch in receiving yardage, with 140 yards on three receptions, including a pass from Horky that turned into a 61-yard catch-and-run for a touchdown. 

Horky went 12/17 passing for 301 yards, four passing touchdowns, a rushing touchdown, and two interceptions. McCaffrey carried the ball five times for 37 yards and a touchdown, also contributing a tackle for loss on defense. McCaffrey, junior receiver Hayden Taylor, and senior tight end Braeden Caszatt all caught touchdown passes.

Sophomore defensive end Aiden Kelly led the Flying Dutchmen defense with five tackles and a sack. East Jackson totaled 196 yards of offense, a season-best for the Manchester defense.

“We’re getting there, and we’re starting to flash,” said Blumenauer. “But we have to be more consistent. That what I’m looking for: more consistency out of everybody.”

The Trojans scored on a 25-yard touchdown pass from junior Michael Brown to senior receiver Jeremiah Allen within the final two minutes of the game. Brown was listed on the program as a running back but led East Jackson rushing and passing with 12 carries for 60 yards and 6 passes for 114 yards and a touchdown, respectively.

Trojan Head Coach Jeff Punches said his team couldn’t sustain a competitive performance.

“We do something really nice one play, then we take a couple plays off,” Punches said. “It just consistency as a team.”

The Flying Dutchmen are riding a two-game winning streak with a .500 record after losing the first two games of the season. Manchester is currently tied for third in the Cascades Conference, and plays Vandercook Lake (0-4, 0-3) at home next week for senior night. 

Tyler Scott covers football for the Manchester Mirror. He also hosts Weekend Afternoons on Michigan Radio (NPR)

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by Sara Swanson

Sara Swanson is an editor, writer and a founder of the Manchester Mirror.