Junior Lions roar past Harrisburg 22-6

By TRENT FLETCHER

Freshman quarterback Dillon Burrow passed for two touchdowns and ran for another score, leading Manila to a 22-6 victory in 3A-3 conference action Thursday night at Hornet Field in Harrisburg.

Burrow, who accounted for all three Manila scores, finished the night 8-11 through the air for 134 yards and rushed for 16 more, totaling 150 of Manila's 208 yards on the evening.

The Lions got on the board first when Burrow scrambled out of trouble before hooking up with Dylan Bogle on a 26 yard touchdown pass with 6:40 left in the half. Burrow ran in the two point conversion, giving the Lions an 8-0 lead.

Manila's defense stopped Harrisburg on three plays, forcing a Hornet punt on Harrisburg's next possession. Burrow fielded the punt at the Manila 25 yard line and returned it 40 yards, giving the Lions excellent field position at the Hornet 35 yard line with 4:50 remaining in the half. Seven plays later, Burrow rambled into the end zone on an 18 yard quarterback draw, giving the Lions a 14 point lead. Burrow connected with Bogle on the two point conversion pass and the Lions held a 16-0 lead at the half.

After a scoreless third quarter, Harrisburg finally got on the board with a 23 yard touchdown run by Holland Gandy. The Hornets two point conversion attempt failed, leaving Manila with a 16-6 lead with 4:49 left in the game.

Manila answered on their next possession, putting the game away with a seven play, 43 yard touchdown drive following a failed onside kick attempt by the Hornets. Burrow's nine yard scoring strike to Bogle with 1:08 left gave the Lions a 22-6 lead. The two point conversion attempt failed.

"We were a lot more physical tonight than last week, and it showed," said Manila Coach Jason Durham. "We still need to work on our execution, but it's good to get a win. Execution has to be a cornerstone of our offense and our defense, and mistakes cost us some points that we might have scored had we executed better. Dillon had an excellent night passing and we have receivers who can catch the ball. When our offensive line gives Dillon time to throw, we have a real good passing game. But Dillon also is a good scrambler and finds a way to get free and find the open receiver."

Jordan Brewer carried the ball seven times for 43 yards as Manila finished the night with 74 yards on the ground. Bogle had two carries for six yards while Shane Lee picked up nine yards on one tote.

Bogle led all receivers with five receptions for 71 yards and two touchdowns. Lee snagged a pair of passes for 62 yards while Brewer had one catch for one yard.

Harrisburg quarterback Calen Wallace completed 3-10 passes for 40 yards and one interception. Hunter Smith led the Hornets in receiving with one catch for 29 yards. Gandy led the Hornets in rushing with 60 yards on six carries with one touchdown.

Manila will travel to Cave City to take on the Cavemen Thursday night. Kickoff is at 7:00.