A Big Second Half Sends Defiance over Manchester
By Hanna Young
Defiance struck first on Saturday afternoon, putting the first points on the board early in the first quarter. The Yellow Jackets scored less than two minutes into the game, Zeke Sanchez blasted a ball through the uplights from the 36-yard line for the early 3 point lead. Manchester quickly answered to that, scoring their first touchdown of the game less than five minutes later. The Yellow Jackets added a touchdown as well just minutes after Manchester. Tyshaun Freeman ran the ball into the endzone, followed by Zeke Sanchez’s PAT to add 7 more points to the scoreboard. Manchester struck twice more in the 1st quarter to give them the 11 point lead. After a quiet second quarter the Yellow Jackets were the only team to record points. Nearing the end of the quarter, Jordan Ambose found Cole Recker in the end zone with a little more than four minutes left in the quarter. After a PAT by Zeke Sanchez was deemed good the Yellow Jackets had cut down Manchester’s lead to four going into the half.
The third quarter was dominated by Defiance, who scored four times and kept Manchester quiet. Jordan Ambrose found his way into the endzone shortly after the 3rd quarter started, followed by a good PAT by Zeke Sanchez to add 7 more points to Defiance’s total. After Defiance earned the lead there was no turning back for them. Tyshaun Freeman found the endzone again, which was followed by another Zeke Sanchez PAT to add 7 more tallies in favor of Defiance. Defiance continued adding to their lead when Jordan Ambrose connected with Jehlani Warren for the touchdown, this was again followed by a good PAT by Zeke Sanchez. Defiance rounded out the scoring in the 3rd quarter when Jordan Abrose found Shonjae Gibson who found the endzone, earning the Yellow Jackets another touchdown. Going into the fourth quarter the score was 44-21 in favor of Defiance. The Yellow Jackets continued their run into the 4th quarter scoring the first points of the quarter, however, this would be the last that Defiance scores. Tyshaun Freeman found his way into the endzone only a few minutes into the quarter to add to Defiance’s lead. The PAT by Zeke Sanchez was good which put the score at 51-21. This is where the score would remain until there was under a minute on the clock, Manchester struck one final time adding 6 points to their total.
Defiance recorded 23 first downs, 291 yards passing, 199 yards rushing, as well as 61 return yards. Jordan Ambrose led in passing yards contributing 271, Jehlani Warren added in 20. Tyshuan Freeman led the team in rushing yards with 75 which was closely followed by Jordan Ambrose who contributed 73. Shonjae Gibson added in 79 receiving yards which was closely followed by Jalen Warren who recorded 78, Tawann Rome chipped in with 56. Zeke Sanchez led the team in PATs scoring six as well as one field goal to earn him 9 points in the contest. He also kicked off 8 times. Mathew Bolanos punted four times, recording 148 yards.
On the Defensive end there are several stats that stick out as well, there were a total of 53 tackles, 45 of which were solo tackles, while the other 8 were assisted tackles. Thomas Coltrain led the team with total number of tackles recording 11, Richard Pope IV adding in 5, which was followed by Isiah Watts, Brian Murat, Malcolm McNeil, and Dominic Harris each with 4. Thomas Coltrain also led the team in solo tackles recording 10, Isiah Watts, Brain Murat, and Malcolm McNeil each added in 4. Richard Pope IV, Dominic Harris, and Davidson Leconte, Jr. all recorded 2 assisted tackles, while Thomas Coltrain and Kanye McKinley both added in 1. Isiah Watts, Malcolm McNeil, Andre Tibbs, Jaylen Redd, Tyquez Douglas, V’Sean Palmer, and Carlens Elisias were all credited with breaking up a pass.
The Yellow Jackets will host Rose-Hulman on Saturday, November 4th, 2023 at 1:30pm.
