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The Manor Mustangs opened their season with a 30-14 victory over Elgin Friday night, winning the first meeting between the programs in a decade.
Manor appeared to score a touchdown four minutes into the game, but the play was nullified by a penalty. The Mustangs still managed to get on the scoreboard late in the first quarter, when running back Andre Terry scored on a 14-yard run.
Quarterback Matthew Zieser then hit running back Semaj Jordan for a touchdown pass to put Manor up 18-0 at halftime.
“This was more than a rivalry. It was about pride. It was personal,” Manor head coach Pete Hopkins said.
Elgin cut the deficit to 18-7 midway through the third quarter on a 47-yard touchdown pass from Trey Flores. Manor answered just before the fourth quarter when wide receiver Tiraun House caught a touchdown pass to make it 24-7, and Terry added a touchdown pass to running back Joeray Rivera in the fourth to push the lead to 30-7.
The Wildcats provided a memorable moment during Manor’s twopoint conversion attempt, intercepting a snap and returning it 98 yards for a defensive two-point conversion, making it 30-9.
Elgin scored the final points of the night on a 1-yard touchdown run by JC Keller on fourth down to set the final score.
Elgin coach Rich Lucero said the defense gave him something to build on, despite the loss.
“I thought defensively we played pretty good. We created a lot of turnovers — four turnovers — and scored on defense,” Lucero said. “Offensively, we just struggled. They’re a 5A Division I program and we’re 5A Division II, so it was a great challenge.” With the season just getting started, Lucero said the Wildcats are focused on continuing to develop their program and build for the future.
“When you’re growing and building a program, you’ve got to keep an eye on the future,” Lucero said. “We’re just trying to grow the program, build the numbers and develop the talent that we do have.”
Elgin falls to 0-1 and travels to face Northeast Early College Sept. 5, with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m.
