Manor Races Past Pflugerville

By Chris Doelle
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Updated: October 12, 2021

Pflugerville vs Manor 101021 by Steve Thomas

photos: Steve Thomas

Mustangs rout Panthers to stay perfect in district.

On Friday night, the Manor Mustangs hosted the Pflugerville Panthers in a pivotal District 11-5A DI showdown. Following a thrilling 34-30 win over Georgetown last week, the Mustangs entered their homecoming contest at 4-1 overall and 2-0 in district. A win over the Panthers would not only allow the Mustangs to avenge last year’s 31-30 overtime loss but also keep them in at least a tie for first place in the district. The Panthers, meanwhile, entered the game also at 4-1 overall but 1-1 in district. After losing their district opener two weeks ago to Austin Anderson, the Panthers bounced back last week with a 74-28 drubbing of district rival Leander. A win for Pflugerville would keep them in the hunt for a district title and potentially create a five-way tie for first place if Pflugerville Weiss lost and Pflugerville Hendrickson won.

Behind a potent ground game and opportunistic defense, the Mustangs cruised to a 45-12 drubbing of the Panthers. Running back Quinten Joyner gashed the Panthers’ defense for over 200 yards and two touchdowns, and running back Che Nwabuko caught a touchdown pass. Receiver Isaiah Crosby also caught two touchdown passes, and quarterback Jayson Zardavets scored a touchdown on the ground. Defensively, the Mustangs held the Panthers under 300 yards of total offense and forced three turnovers.

In the first quarter, Joyner opened the scoring with a 12-yard touchdown run. Defensive back DJ Shaw’s interception on the ensuing Pflugerville drive set up the Mustangs at the Panther 19-yard line; and Zardavets extended the Manor lead to 14-0 on a three-yard touchdown keeper. The Panthers finally got on the board in the second quarter when receiver Sidney Mbanasor caught a touchdown pass from quarterback Jaylon Reeves. A bad snap on the extra-point attempt forced kicker Jose Zapata to throw for a two-point conversion, but Crosby intercepted the pass in the end zone and returned it for two points for the Mustangs. Shortly before halftime, Nwabuko scored another touchdown for the Mustangs on a 23-yard touchdown catch.

In the second half, Joyner broke free for a 55-yard touchdown run and Nwabuko caught the two-point conversion attempt. The Mustang defense then forced the Panthers to turn the ball over on downs, and Crosby caught his first touchdown of the night on the resulting drive. Following the score, the Panthers put together a solid drive and reached the Manor 19-yard line, but Manor defensive back Jaylen Young intercepted the ball at the Mustangs’ one-yard line. Five plays later, Crosby caught his second touchdown of the night to put Manor up 45-6. Early in the fourth quarter, Pflugerville running back Elijah Oakman got the final score of the game on a one-yard touchdown run; but the Panthers failed the two-point attempt.

After the game, Crosby, Joyner, and Manor head coach James Keller all expressed great satisfaction in their performance and convincing victory. They were also laudatory of the team’s performance overall and expressed confidence in their ability to compete throughout the rest of the season. Both Joyner and Crosby said that they and the team had a chip on their shoulders after the close loss last year and the challenges they had to overcome. With the win, Manor improves to 5-1 overall and 3-0 in district. Next week, the Mustangs will travel to the Pfield in Pflugerville for a Thursday-night game against the Pflugerville Hendrickson Hawks (2-4, 1-2.) Pflugerville, meanwhile, falls to 4-2 overall and 1-2 in district. Next week, the Panthers will play the Pflugerville Weiss Wolves (5-0, 3-1) in a Friday-night showdown at the Pfield.

by Steve Thomas