Manchester Academy outscored Central Holmes 49-0 and racked up over 200 more offensive yards than the Trojans.
That’s a dominating performance by anyone’s definition, and the truth is that the Mavericks were merciful.
Blayke Dendy rushed for 120 yards and two touchdowns on just seven carries and had a touchdown reception.
Reece Singleton had 113 yards and a touchdown on eight carries.
Will Fouche and Warner Griffin added touchdowns.
All of this took place in the first half of the game.
By the time homecoming queen Nettie Taylor Barbour was trying on her crown, the starting lineup of the Mavericks was observing the game from the sidelines. Head coach Bryan Dendy took his foot off the accelerator for the second half.
“I was proud of our kids,” Coach Dendy said. “They bounced back from a loss last week and came out focused. We were able to play a lot of guys in the second half who practice hard every day and will benefit from the experience on the field.”
The outcome was never really in doubt. On the opening drive, Blayke Dendy broke a couple of tackles to advance to the five yard line.
Griffin punched in the touchdown, and Andrew Byrd added the extra point kick for a 7-0 lead with 8:04 to go in the first quarter.
On the Trojans’ first offensive play, Blayke Dendy broke through the offensive line for a tackle for loss. That set the tone for a long night for Central Holmes.
Fouche added a touchdown on an eight-yard rush with 4:23 to go in the first to give the Mavericks a 14-0 lead with Byrd’s PAT kick.
On the first play of the next drive, Taylor Porter recovered a fumble of Central Holmes’ 20 yard line.
Blayke Dendy caught a 16-yard touchdown pass to give MA a 21-0 lead with 3:24 to go in the first quarter with Byrd’s kick.
Rainer Roberts grabbed an interception as time expired on the first quarter to put the Mavs back in the driver’s seat.
The Mavs then unleashed a surprise with a reverse pass play where Blayke Dendy launched a 43-yard pass to Fouche, who leaped above coverage to come down with the ball on the one yard line.
Blayke Dendy broke through the line for a touchdown for a 28-0 lead with Byrd’s kick.
Four minutes later Blayke Dendy broke loose for an 82-yard touchdown run.
Porter added the extra point kick this time, and Manchester led 35-0 with 5:30 to go before halftime.
Owen McCloskey grabbed an interception on the run for a 29-yard touchdown to give MA a 42-0 lead with 5:14 to go before the half after Byrd’s kick.
Singleton scored on a 52-yard carry to put the finishing touches on a convincing victory.
Quarterback Kinkead Dent completed 1-of-3 passes for 16 yards and a touchdown.
Tate Potter led the defense with eight tackles. Claybon Haymer, Blayke Dendy and Griffin had five tackles each. John Regan and William Fuller each had four.
Cody Carson has three tackles and an interception.
This week Manchester faces a much tougher opponent as the Mavericks welcome Tri-County Academy.
The Rebels will enter the contest after suffering the team’s loss of the season last week against undefeated Canton Academy in a 23-21 showdown.
“Tri-County is a well-coached team with a lot of tradition,” Dendy said. “They make you earn everything you get from them.”
Central Holmes is the only common opponent the MA and TCA have faced this season. Tri-County defeated Central Holmes 47-0, scoring 35 points in the first half and 12 in the second.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Buster Crawford Stadium.
