Vandegrift Takes Down Manor Easily

By Chris Doelle
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Updated: October 2, 2022

Leander Vandegrift vs Manor by Steven Thomas

photos: Steve Thomas

Leander Vandegrift Hands Manor First Loss

On Friday night, the Leander Vandegrift Vipers handed their new district rivals, the Manor Mustangs, the Mustangs’ first loss of the season with a 34-6 victory. Defensively, the Vipers held Manor star running back Quentin Joyner to 131 yards and one touchdown. The defense also recovered a fumble and had an interception. On offense, running back Alex Witt rushed for 63 yards and two touchdowns; and quarterback Brayden Buchanan threw for 179 yards and one touchdown. After struggling mightily on special teams against Round Rock Stony Point two weeks ago, Vandegrift showed marked improvement this week. Kicker Hayden Arnold netted field goals from 35 and 32 yards respectively. The Vipers also recovered a muffed kick return, and defensive back Alex Foster blocked a punt which Cruz Carrasquillo recovered in the end zone for a touchdown.

For Manor, the Mustangs got off to a strong start and were able to hold Vandegrift in check through most of the first half. However, mental mistakes and poor execution, especially in the second half, proved to be the Mustangs downfall. On the opening drive, the Mustangs used a heavy dose of the ground game; and Quentin Joyner scored on a 44-yard touchdown run. The Mustangs missed the extra-point attempt, however, leaving the score at 6-0. Vandegrift responded with a promising drive into Manor territory, but the Manor defense held strong and forced the Vipers to settle for Arnold’s first field goal. Midway through the second quarter, Buchanan connected with receiver Miles Coleman on 4^th and 10 for a massive conversion deep in Manor territory. Shortly after that, Alex Witt scored his first touchdown of the night on a three-yard run which gave Vandegrift its first lead of the night. The Mustangs responded with a drive to the Vandegrift six-yard line, but poor clock management forced Manor to rush the final play before halftime and fumble snap as time expired for the first half.

In the second half, Miles Coleman caught a 32-yard touchdown pass early in the third quarter which extended the Viper lead to 17-6. After the Vipers recovered a muffed return on the ensuing drive, Hayden Arnold netted his second field goal of the night to put Vandegrift ahead 20-6. Following a punt on the ensuing Manor drive, Alex Witt scored his second touchdown of the game to put Vandegrift ahead 27-6. Midway through the fourth quarter, Alex Foster blocked a punt which Cruz Carrasquillo recovered in the end zone for a touchdown.

After the game, Vandegrift Head Coach Drew Sanders praised his team’s effort. “That’s what potential district championship teams do,” Sanders said regarding their convincing win on the road against a tough opponent. Sanders was especially laudatory of his defense for both containing Joyner and getting the crucial stop to keep Manor out of the end zone before halftime. With the win, Vandegrift improves to 4-1 overall and 2-0 in district. Next week, the Vipers return home to face the Round Rock McNeil Mavericks (2-3, 0-2.)

Manor, meanwhile, falls to 4-1 overall and 1-1 in district. Head Coach James Keller praised his team’s effort but also acknowledged that his team did not respond well when things didn’t go well for them. Keller specifically pointed to his team’s failure to score before halftime as a demoralizing moment which impacted the Mustangs for the rest of the game. Next week, the Mustangs will travel to Dragon Stadium in Round Rock for a crucial showdown against the Round Rock Dragons (5-0, 2-0.)

by Steve Thomas

Players Pictured

Manor