On Friday, Sep. 12, the Manual Crimsons faced the Atherton Ravens. After a dismal first quarter, the Crimsons picked it up and came back to break the Ravens’ undefeated season.
First Half:
Following the coin toss, the Crimsons took the kickoff. The Ravens started on offense and quickly achieved their first down. They gained four yards, but the third down was an incomplete pass. On the fourth down, Atherton ran for the end zone and scored the first touchdown of the night. The extra point was good, and the score was 7-0, in favor of the Ravens.
Manual received the ball at the 50-yard line, and shortly after Atherton called for a time out. The Crimsons gained enough yardage to complete a first down, but the second down was ruled an incomplete pass. A flag on the play was called for offsides.
Shortly after, Manual’s quarterback, Kaden Mack (#6, 11) was sacked. The Ravens returned to offense and completed the first down. A few plays later, they kicked the ball, and Brayland Miles (#14, 11) received it to complete the first down. Despite a flag being called on the play, Manual managed to gain some yardage but were unable to score. The quarter ended 7-0, with the Ravens leading.
The Crimsons began the second quarter on offense. After several fouls, they reached fourth down. Jackson Pritts (#17, 11) kicked a field goal and scored. This brought the score to 7-3.
The Ravens took possession but were unsuccessful in scoring. The Crimsons returned to offense and had several incomplete passes. After a few plays, Manual was at first and ten. They were unable to advance, so Pritts punted and sent the ball out of bounds. After two incomplete passes, Atherton called for a timeout.
When the play resumed, the Ravens’ third down was also ruled as an incomplete pass. The referees measured the ball’s position, and possession was given to the Crimsons. Gerian Traynor (#34, 12) was quick to move, running down the field and significant yardage for the Crimsons. Not long after, he scored a touchdown, but the extra point was blocked by the Ravens.
Atherton took possession of the ball but had several incomplete passes and gained very little yardage. When the Crimsons got back to offense, Mack ran toward the end zone and made it a significant distance before he was tackled. A few plays later, Noah Price (#15, 11) received in the end zone, scoring a touchdown. Pritts kicked a successful extra point. The score was then 16-7.
Atherton got the ball, and Manual was flagged for a pass interference. Corey Warner (#2, 12) caught the ball and sprinted down the field. A few plays later, a flag on the play sent the Crimsons back five yards. Traynor gained little yardage and soon, Mack made it into the end zone. However, after a flag on the play the touchdown was not valid. At halftime, the Crimsons led 16-7.
Second Half:
“We still have too many penalties. And, you know, that’s a concern for us, we want to stay aggressive, but we’ve got to cut out those penalties,” head coach Keith Eckloff said.
The Crimsons started the third quarter on offense. Following a few unsuccessful attempts to move forward, they were forced to punt. The Ravens took possession and got a first down, but the Crimsons were called for pass interference.
The Ravens gained some yardage, but another timeout was called. Not long after, Atherton scored a touchdown, and the extra point was good. The score was then 16-14.
The Crimsons kicked it into gear, and a few plays later, Brayland Miles (#14, 11) scored a touchdown making the score 23-14. When the Ravens took to offense, they moved quickly scoring a touchdown and an extra point, drawing the scores close once again.
An Atherton player got injured, and a timeout was called. The Crimsons took possession once more, but time ran out. The third quarter ended 23-21, with the Crimsons still leading.
“You know, I scored. I had a pretty long touchdown. I’m just helping my team out anyway I can,” Miles said.
Upon entering the fourth quarter, both teams were charged. The scores were close, and it was still anyone’s game. Early on, Pritts kicked a field goal, bringing the score to 26-21. Atherton took the ball, but to no avail. Manual returned to offense, and Traynor managed to score a touchdown. Pritts then scored the extra point. The score was now 33-21.
The Ravens went to offense, but a timeout was called due to injury. They didn’t gain much yardage and were unable to score. Xavielle Brooks (#20, 11) caught the ball, but it was ruled a pass incomplete because he ran out of bounds. The Crimsons gained some yardage, but not enough to score again.
The teams exchanged possession for several plays, but neither scored again. Manual did their best to run down the clock, and the game ended with a turnover on Atherton’s fourth down. The Crimsons won the game 33-21.
“I think our toughness and grit in the second half [stood out]. We really did a good job taking control of the game right after halftime,” Eckloff said.
