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Dutch blank Jayhawks 56-0

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Senior Manchester quarterback Tyler Horky outruns the defense in the first quarter for his first of two rushing touchdowns against Vandercook Lake

by Tyler Scott

Everything worked.

The Flying Dutchmen cruised to a 56-0 victory over visiting Vandercook Lake on Friday as Manchester extended its winning streak.

In a rain-shortened game, not many good things happened for the Jayhawks (0-5, 0-4). The Dutch defense limited Vandercook Lake to zero first downs and 31 total yards of offense. The game ended prematurely because of lightning with 4:48 remaining in the third quarter.

“We’re coming together,” said Manchester head coach Mike Blumenauer. “We were very consistent tonight.”

Field position helped. The Flying Dutchmen scored in five plays after starting their first possession at the Jayhawk 48-yard line. Senior quarterback Tyler Horky scored first on a bootleg run for three yards and a touchdown.

After a Jayhawk three-and-out, Horky soon found senior Dutchmen running back Collin McCaffrey on a wide open swing pass good for 20 yards and a touchdown. McCaffrey soon ran for another touchdown and Horky found junior wide receiver Hayden Taylor for a passing score, all within the first quarter.

“The last couple games (Manchester) has gotten off to good starts,” said Vandercook Lake head coach Mike Wolvin. “The offensive line allowed them to run the ball … they had some key passes. We’re just not there yet.”

Early on, a loud and vocal style of Flying Dutchmen defense set the tone. Players were calling out what was happening on the field before and during many plays, and finding reasons to celebrate afterward. Blumenauer commended senior defensive lineman Simon Lato for his vocal leadership near the line of scrimmage.

“We talk a lot about (communicating on the field) all the time at practice and they’re starting to do it,” Blumenauer said. “All the way across the board they’re communicating very well.

The defensive ends for Manchester balled out. Senior Braeden Caszatt and junior Aiden Kelly led their team with 4.5 tackles and one tackle for a loss each from their positions at the ends of the defensive line. Vandercook Lake junior quarterback Gaven Cooper was limited to 20 yards rushing and attempted just four passes.

Horky finished with a pair of rushing touchdowns and three passing touchdowns. Taylor led the Flying Dutchmen receiving with 91 yards and two scores on five receptions. Collectively, the offense gained 397 yards.

Currently third in Cascades Conference standings with three in-conference games remaining, Manchester next plays on the road at Michigan Center (1-4)..

Since starting the season with a pair of losses, the ‘Dutch (3-2, 3-1) have now won their last three games. Each week Blumenauer has pleaded for more consistency from his players, and the margin of victory has grown with each successive win.

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.