Fans at Manchester’s Blue-Gold football intrasquad scrimmage last Saturday may have thought they stumbled into a track meet with all the offense that was on display.

The two teams, paired off into separate teams by the coaching staff, tore up the field for a combined 443 rushing yards and 182 passing yards leading to plenty of big plays and scoring as the Gold team walked off the field with a 38-32 win.

The gold team found much more success as they totaled 325 of the 443 rushing yards while the blue team found success in the air averaging 13.8 yards per completion.

Manchester Head Coach Dustin Cook said the scrimmage is a good way to get his team excited about competing rather than simply going through drills like they have been the past number of weeks.

“The Blue vs. Gold game is always a fun way to start the season and get the kids excited about competing,” Cook said. “As we move forward to start the season our focus will be on becoming the best team that we can be by the start of the season. Day in and day out we have to take full advantage of every opportunity to get better.”

Defensively the Gold team held the Blue team to 0-for-3 on third down conversions while the Blue team played well on third downs as well holding the Gold team to 1-for-4.

Cook said he was pleased with his team’s performance on both sides of the ball.

“I was very pleased with how we performed this early in the season,” Cook said. “It was exciting to see our team execute on both sides of the ball. We know that as a team we have a long way to go before we open up with a very good Green Bobcat team, but I am very pleased with the progression that we have been able to make on a daily basis.”

Greyhound quarterback Jordan Freeman set fire to both defenses as he threw and ran for multiple touchdowns on the afternoon. Cook said the expectations for him this year are very high.

“Jordan played very well for both sides in the scrimmage,” Cook said. “He has made many big plays for us over the course of the past three years and we have very high expectations for him as a leader of the team this year.”

The tallest player on the field, Jared Stricklett, saw reps as both a tight end and defensive end, showcasing his talent on both ends of the field.

“Jared is a very hard working young man who has put in a lot of hard work this off season in preparation to have a great senior year,” Cook said. “Jared is going to be getting snaps at tight end and defensive end.”

Next up for the Greyhounds is a trip to McDermott for an intersquad scrimmage against the Northwest Mohawks on Saturday, Aug. 15 at 10 a.m. before coming back home to scrimmage West Union in their final tune-up for the regular season opener. The two county squads will meet in Manchester on Aug. 21 at 7:30 p.m. with special schedule posters distributed to fans courtesy of The People’s Defender.

Reach Charles Grove at 937-544-2391, cgrove@civitasmedia.com or @WUDefender on Twitter.

Senior wideout Sean Frost looks down field after making a catch in action from last Saturday’s Blue-Gold scrimmage at Manchester High School.
https://www.peoplesdefender.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_Football1.jpgSenior wideout Sean Frost looks down field after making a catch in action from last Saturday’s Blue-Gold scrimmage at Manchester High School.

Quarterback Jordan Freeman gets off this pass amidst a load of pass rushing traffic during action last Saturday in the Blue-Gold scrimmage at Manchester high School.
https://www.peoplesdefender.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_Football2.jpgQuarterback Jordan Freeman gets off this pass amidst a load of pass rushing traffic during action last Saturday in the Blue-Gold scrimmage at Manchester high School.

Manchester running back Bryan Young uses the stiff-arm to break free and into the open on this carry during the Aug. 8 Blue-Gold scrimmage.
https://www.peoplesdefender.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_Football3.jpgManchester running back Bryan Young uses the stiff-arm to break free and into the open on this carry during the Aug. 8 Blue-Gold scrimmage.
Greyhounds hold annual Blue-Gold scrimmage

By: Charles Grove

cgrove@civitasmedia.com