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Another close victory for the Dutchmen

by Marsha Chartrand

The Manchester Flying Dutchmen were victorious over the Columbia Central Eagles Friday night in a game that remained close throughout the evening.

Columbia scored first with a touchdown and PAT, with Manchester answering in the first quarter on a 9-yard pass from Kannon Duffing to Luke Blumenauer, supported by a PAT from Jeff Sangster, leaving the first-quarter score tied at 7–7.

The second quarter followed in a similar fashion with a touchdown from each team, and ending the half tied 14–14. Manchester TD was on a 23-yard pass from Kannon Duffing to Bubba Duffing, with Sangster PAT adding the extra point.

In the third, Columbia again scored the first touchdown but failed its extra point attempt. A 39-yard rush by Gunner Carson tied the score at 20, and Sangster PAT took the Dutchmen ahead for the first time in the game. The third quarter ended with a score of 21–20.

Columbia had more tricks up its sleeve, however, and made a 10-yard conversion pass for a touchdown in the early fourth quarter. A 3-yard pass conversion added two points and took the score to 28–21 in the Eagles’ favor. But Manchester didn’t give up. Blake Sloan grabbed a 10-yard TD pass from Duffing, followed up by Sangster, to bring the score to another tie at 28–28. Sloan then rushed 21 yards and Sangster had his fifth successful PAT of the game to bring the final score to 35–28.

Varsity Coach Ben Pack noted that Sloan “continues to roll” this week, rushing for more than 250 yards. Kannon Duffing was 7 of 10 passing for 88 yards and three touchdowns.

“The playoff pairings were announced last night,” Pack added. “We play at Napoleon on Friday at 7pm. I am proud of how hard our kids have played this season. We are looking forward to a rematch with Napoleon.”

Go, Dutch!

by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.