Manchester football starts 8-0 this season due to the leading performances by Landen Hicks (WR) and Jayden Ballard (DB). This year has been great for Manchester football with students and fans being excited to see how this season will turn out. The team is led by head coach Jason Harrell and ever since his hiring he has helped this team reach new heights.
Manchester’s offense has been lights out this year scoring a total of 56 TDs so far, which is over 25 the national average. The offense is led by captains Landen Abernethy (QB) and Antonio Turner (WR). Landen Abernethy is proving to college scouts that he can lead a team with an excellent QB rating of 133.1. While teams are worried about Turner and his crazy speed, the opposing defense also has to worry about the talented receiver Landon Hicks.
Landon Hicks has come onto the scene this year as a junior. He leads the team in receiving yards as well as being a threat in the redzone with 9 tds. This dual threat between Turner and Hicks is a nightmare for defenses to try and contain. Let’s not forget about the run game though because Geno Pollard and Dior Barnes are putting in work with the split carries. Pollard and Barnes are both putting up over 6 yards a carry. Barnes isn’t just bringing good vibes on the field with his 10 rushing tds, but off the field Hicks says that he is the funniest player on the team.
If the offense seems scary, then the defense will definitely be terrifying. Jayden Ballard is all over the field with his 37 total tackles. Ballard has been noticed by colleges all over the United States and just recently committed to West Virginia. Offenses struggle to run against this defense with 6 ‘3 DE Camden Chalkley always in the backfield with 14 TFL and Jayden Ballard with 9. If offenses decide to drop back and pass then the opposing quarter back will be met by #18 Antwann Paige who leads the team in sacks and is only a sophomore. If they somehow get the ball off against this stacked D-Line, they still have to worry about the ball hawk Tristan Bowers who leads the team in interceptions, with 3.
This year’s team is complete on offense and defense. Even with the injury Landon Hicks has suffered, the Lancers will still be set on offense with receivers like Tait Eyerly, Justin Fabien and Antwann Paige stepping up. The Lancers have the potential to make it to states this year if they can continue their success.
