Leander Vandegrift Rolls Over Manor

By Chris Doelle
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Updated: October 1, 2023

Vandegrift vs Manor by Steve Thomas 2023

photos: Steve Thomas

Vipers Dominate Mustangs to Remain Unbeaten

Midway through the season, the Leander Vandegrift Vipers are firing on all cylinders. Coming out of their bye week, the Vipers celebrated homecoming in style and improved to 5-0 overall and 2-0 in district with a 51-6 thrashing of the Manor Mustangs. Entering the game, the Mustangs appeared to be a potential challenge for the Vipers. The Mustangs were 4-1 overall and 1-0 in district. Manor also featured a stout defense, and running back Titus Petteway had burst onto the scene as a major power running threat. On Friday night, however, the Vipers' defense was more than ready for Petteway and held him to 72 on the ground. Offensively, the Vipers were able to move the ball almost at will. Quarterback Deuce Adams threw for 273 yards and six touchdowns. Adams’s brother, receiver Eli Adams, had five catches for 131 yards and three touchdowns. Receiver Miles Coleman had three catches for 68 yards and two touchdowns and also had a punt return for a touchdown.

From the outset, the Vipers’ dominance was on full display. In the first quarter, Deuce Adams connected with his brother Eli for a 16-yard touchdown pass and a second to running back Brendan Fournier on a nine-yard pass. On the first touchdown drive, Miles Coleman set the Vipers up with excellent field position at the Manor 31-yard line. Also on that drive, the Vipers converted a fourth down on a fake field to extend the drive. In the second quarter, Coleman tacked on three additional touchdowns with catches of ten and eleven yards as well as a 63-yard punt return. Shortly before halftime, Deuce Adams connected with Eli Adams for a second touchdown to put Vandegrift up 41-0. Deuce connected with Eli one more time in the third quarter for a 37-yard touchdown pass, and kicker Wiley Olson netted a 37-yard field goal. The lone score for Manor came late in the fourth quarter when quarterback Jayson Zardavets connected with receiver Jaden Buck on a 20-yard touchdown pass.

After the game, Vandegrift Head Coach Drew Sanders praised his defense for their performance. "We take a lot of pride in our defensive system," Sanders said. Sanders said that the team’s focus for this game was to make Petteway “go sideways,” and his team accomplished that. He also noted that his defense hardly missed a beat even without all-state defensive back Alex Foster. On offense, Sanders noted the exceptional performances of players such as Miles Coleman and the Adams brothers but also credited other players for stepping up as well. Next week, the Vipers will travel to Dragon Stadium in Round Rock to face the Round Rock McNeil Mavericks (3-2, 1-1.)

Manor, meanwhile, falls to 3-2 overall and 1-1 in district. After the game, Head Coach James Keller credited his team for continuing to play and stick together despite the adversity. Keller said that he was confident his players would be able to recover from this loss and finish the season strong. Next week, the Mustangs return home to face the Round Rock Dragons (2-3, 2-0.)

by Steve Thomas

Players Pictured

Vandegrift