The Crimsons lost to the Male Bulldogs 30-23 on Friday night in the annual rivalry game.
First Half:
The Bulldogs got the ball to start the game and immediately got a first down. Later in the drive, Male’s Max Gainey (#5, 12) scored the first touchdown of the game. The score was 7-0 for the Bulldogs.
When Manual got the ball, they drove and were unsuccessful on a 4th down try. This resulted in Male’s ball at the Crimson’s 25-yard line.
Male’s quarterback, Kolter Smith (#15, 12), was able to use this and found DJ Grinter (#2, 12) in the endzone giving a them 14-0 lead.
On Manual’s next drive, they had several first-down runs in a row by Zahron (Zeek) Washburn (#22, 12) and Gerian Traynor (#34, 10). Washburn found the endzone for the Crimsons’ first touchdown of the night. Parker Friedman (#53, 11) completed the PAT and the score was 14-7, Male still in the lead.
Later in the first half, Smith found Gainey in the end zone for another touchdown. Male then had the lead, 21-7.
The Crimsons fumbled the ball and Male recovered it at the 11-yard line. This led to a Chayce Burton (#6, 10) touchdown, making the score 27-7 in favor of the Bulldogs.
At the end of the first half, Male’s Kamari Taylor (#14, 12) intercepted a pass made by Manual quarterback Eli Creech (#10, 12) which resulted in the Bulldogs’ ball. The Crimson’s defense was able to hold the Bulldogs off until half, keeping the score 27-7 with Male in the lead.
Second Half:
The Crimsons started the second half with possession and Willis Nofsinger (#5, 11) caught a pass from Creech, which gave Manual a first down. After that play, Traynor scored a touchdown that bumped the score up to 27-13, but the Bulldogs were still in the lead.
Male’s Antonio Harris (#3, 11) caught the Crimson’s kickoff and ran to the Manual 22-yard line where he was stopped. Manual’s defense was able to hold the Bulldogs to a field goal and the score became 30-13, Male leading at the end of the third quarter.
On the next drive, Friedman kicked a field goal, which put the score at 30-16, Male still in the lead.
After a fumble by Male, Washburn scored a touchdown for the Crimsons. With the extra point by Friedman good, the score was 30-23, with Male still in the lead.
In the last 2 minutes of the game, Manual recovered their onside kick. However, due to a flag on the play, Male got the ball and ran the time out.
“I think the team’s good,” Head Coach Josh Gillispie said, about moving forward into the playoffs.
The Crimsons will play Eastern at home next Friday for the start of the playoffs.
