Game Leaders
Team Stats
Passing Yards
Rushing Yards
Turnovers
Time of Poss.
NORTH MANCHESTER, Ind. - The Spartans finally played on their home turf on Saturday as they opened up HCAC play hosting Mt. St. Joesph. The Lions showcased why they sit atop the HCAC as they defeated the Spartans 55-20.
The Lions struck first as they took their opening drive 72 yards down the field that was capped off by a Cornell Beachem Jr. rushing touchdown. The PAT made it 7-0 MSJ.
Manchester's offense struggled in the first quarter. Being down 14-0 going into the second quarter, the Spartans finally started to gain some momentum. The Black & Gold finally broke through as Eric James (Indianapolis, Ind., Decatur Central) connected with Lavar Lesure (Mt. Vernon, Ill., Wheeler) for a 9 yard touchdown reception. A failed 2-point conversion made the score 14-6.
MSJ would respond by scoring a touchdown on their next drive. Manchester tried to answer back but gave up a pick six, allowing Mount to go up 28-6 with about 5 minutes left in the first half of action.
The Spartan offense responded well despite the turnover on their previous possession as Eric James was able to connect for his second touchdown on the afternoon with Duriel Moss Jr. (Homestead, Fla., Christopher Columbus) to draw closer 28-13.
The second half, however, was all Lions. MSJ's defense would blank the Spartans in the third quarter, while the offense scored 21 unanswered points.
The Spartans were blanked all through the fourth quarter until their final drive of the game. Manchester would score on a Moss Jr. touchdown with just over 5 minutes left in the game making the score 55-20 which would remain the final score.
Wide receiver Duriel Moss Jr. led the Spartans with 2 touchdown catches despite the loss. He would finish the game with 5 catches for 69 yards. On the defensive side of the ball, senior Steve Mendez (Logansport, Ind./Logansport) racked up 11 total tackles on the afternoon for Manchester. Junior Haylee Smith (Indianapolis, Ind., Charles A. Tindley) recorded his third interception on the season while also chipping in 3 tackles in the secondary. The Spartans defense was able to force 2 Mount St. Joesph turnovers.
Manchester will look to bounce back this Saturday as they travel to Rose-Hulman. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. from Cook Stadium.