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Manchester coach Wes Gall gives the play to quarterback Ryan Stiles at Manchester High School on Friday night. Manchester won the game, 21-12, against Michigan Center. - (J. Scott Park | MLive.com)
As a team prepares for a game where a conference championship hangs in the balance, about the last thing it wants is for its quarterback?s availability to be uncertain. But Manchester found itself in just that position heading into last week?s showdown with then-undefeated Michigan Center.
Manchester junior quarterback Ryan Stiles injured his hand in practice. And though coach Wes Gall said they weren?t sure when or how the injury happened, by the following day, its effects were apparent.
?His whole hand was black and blue. We didn?t know on Wednesday (if Stiles would play Friday),? Gall said.
Not only did Stiles suit up, he was effective. He completed 8 of 15 passes for 123 yards as Manchester upset Michigan Center 21-12.
In the first quarter he threw a beautiful pass to Nick Cozart down the Manchester sideline for a 48-yard gain that set up the Dutchmen?s first touchdown of the night.
?(Wednesday) he could only throw the ball 10 yards,? Gall said. ?The next day he could throw 20 yards. Today was the 30-yard day.?
Stiles? play helped Manchester win a share of the Cascades Championship with Michigan Center and Grass Lake, and also clinched the team?s fifth consecutive trip to the playoffs.
?We knew we had to get this one to get a solid, guaranteed playoff berth, that was huge,? Stiles said. ?Plus a three-way tie for the conference doesn?t hurt.?
-- By Rich McGowan
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Conklin airs it out for Western
Parma Western junior quarterback Ryan Conklin continued to show a fine passing arm Friday in the Panthers? 32-10 victory over rival Northwest. Conklin completed 17 of 25 passes for 211 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions in Western?s first victory of the season.
?As our line has developed and gotten better with protection, Ryan had more time,? Western coach Al Ennis said. ?We?ve been able to break down more of what we want him to look at. He?s just doing a better job of making his reads and selecting the open receivers.?
Conklin threw all three of his touchdown passes in the first half as Western built a 19-10 lead at intermission. In the first half, Conklin was 12-for-17 for 148 yards and three touchdowns.
?I feel so much more comfortable,? Conklin said. ?I played last year on varsity, but this year I started off a little rough. I?ve gotten better and better every week, and I?m just looking forward to (this) week.
?If we can keep rolling and get a big win (this) week, we?re just going to get big wins next year, too. It?s going to be great.?
Western (1-7) finishes its season on the road Friday at Buchanan, which is 6-2 and headed for the postseason.
-- By Chip Mundy
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No rest for Grass Lake
Though his team has clinched a playoff berth, has a 7-1 overall record and won a share of the Cascades Conference championship, Grass Lake football coach Randy Cole knows it can?t relax this week.
Not with a trip to visit undefeated Leslie looming.
Last Friday, the Warriors flexed their muscle in a 42-6 win over Hanover-Horton in an impressive all-around showing. The Grass Lake defense was stout while the offense put up all six touchdowns in the first half.
But Cole understands Leslie will be no pushover in the last game of the regular season. The Warriors knocked off the Blackhawks twice last season, once in the regular season finale and again in the district championship.
?We play a great Leslie team next week, so we gotta get ready ? they?re a super football team,? Cole said.
-- By Stephen Brooks
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Titans take to the air
Given the success Jackson Lumen Christi has enjoyed this season running the football, it can be easy to forget the Titans can get it done through the air as well.
Just ask Eaton Rapids.
Lumen Christi quarterback Justin O?Dowd completed just four passes but three went for touchdowns of 40, 25 and 7 yards. O?Dowd finished with 82 yards throwing, and his favorite target was Austin Childs, who caught all three of O?Dowd?s touchdowns for 72 yards.
-- By Rich McGowan
Source: http://highschoolsports.mlive.com/news/article/7769255061520459676
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