Game Leaders
Team Stats
Passing Yards
Rushing Yards
Turnovers
Time of Poss.
CHICAGO, Ill. - The Spartans started the 2022 season right where they left off picking up a win against North Park on Saturday. Manchester traveled up to Chicago and defeated the Vikings 23-14.
North Park struck first by intercepting the Spartans on their opening drive and taking it for a touchdown to lead 0-7.
Manchester responded in the second quarter taking their opening drive down the field for a touchdown. The 14-play drive was capped off with quarterback Trevor O'Brien II (Vero Beach, Fla./Vero Beach) throwing a 13 yard touchdown to Lavar Lesure (Mt. Vernon, Ill./Wheeler) which brought the Spartans within one with the score of 6-7. A blocked PAT kept the score as such.
The Spartans capped off the first half by executing a 2-minute drill drive to have Matthew Mason (Mt. Blanchard, Ohio, Riverdale) convert a 29 yard field goal to go into the half up 7-9.
Manchester received the ball to start the second half and drove down the field to have David Smith (Indianapolis, Ind., North Central) take a 4 yard run for a touchdown. The Mason extra point extended the lead to 7-16.
The Spartans were able to defend their lead from there. They would tack on another 7 points on a Jamaal Hubbard (Russelville, Ala., Russelville) pick-six in the fourth quarter.
Manchester was able to hold North Park to just one offensive touchdown in a stellar defensive performance. The Spartans were able to force 3 Viking turnovers while also allowing only 3 third down conversions on 11 attempts. The Spartan offense had a good showing both through the air and on the ground with 168 passing yards and 174 rushing yards respectively on the evening. Smith led the rushing attack for the Spartans with 67 rushing yards and a touchdown. Fellow running back Jalen Love (Avon, Ind., Avon) added 65 rushing yards on just 11 attempts. O'Brien II led the passing attack going 14-22 with 168 passing yards.
The Spartans will look to remain in the win column this coming Saturday as they travel to Alma, Michigan to play the Alma College Scots. Kickoff is set for 6pm.