Manteno is mostly known as a running team, but the Panthers switched gears on Oct. 2 and throttled visiting Lisle 48-16 using a passing game for big scoring plays.
Junior quarterback Logan Bufford was a perfect 10–for-10 passing for 174 yards and four touchdowns, as Manteno improved to 5-2 overall and to 3-2 in the Illinois Central Eight Conference.
“We were planning to throw it a little more than run it tonight,” Bufford said. “The o-line upfront had great execution, did well all night. The run game, we got it going. It wasn’t the greatest, it wasn’t up to our standards as we normally run the ball. But passing, we picked it up and ended up scoring a lot.”
Bufford opened the onslaught with a 26-yard scoring strike to the reliable Briggs Cann before he scored on a 4-yard run for a 14-0 lead in the first quarter.
“We did a nice job coming out with good intensity and executing, which is what we wanted to do, just to kind of set the tone of the game,” Manteno coach RJ Haines said. “And obviously we finished it very well.”
In the second quarter Bufford threw touchdown passes to Cann for 33 yards, David Asher for 27 yards and Jack Gotkowski for 23 yards for a 35-0 halftime lead over Lisle (3-4, 1-4).
“Buff did a good job,” Haines said. “He had good composure in the pocket, and finding and getting the ball to different guys. We did a nice job offensively.”
Cann caught four balls for 75 yards, while Asher finished with three catches for 62 yards and Gotkowski had two receptions for 35 yards.
“I think it really started all up front and our week of preparation,” Gotkowski said. ”Bufford had all day to throw, which was always a great thing to have. And we were able to get open and catch those balls that we needed to catch.”
Manteno ran the ball pretty well, gaining 145 yards on 21 attempts. Nick Honkisz was slowed by a lower body injury but still picked up 64 yards on six rushes and a touchdown, all in the second half. Gotkowski added 46 yards on four carries.
“The line was blocking outstanding, making those holes for me,” Gotkowski said. “I was able to find them and break a few through.”
Senior backup quarterback Carter Stell tossed a 75-yard TD pass to classmate Camdin Schoon for a fitting end to senior night.
“I really think our seniors deserved it, too,” Asher said. “It was great to have a good home crowd. Everybody was here cheering loud, being a great fan base. Just having that moment with all the lights on and everything is just special for the seniors. I’m glad we could get a win out of it.”
Manteno hosts Peotone at 7 p.m. Oct. 9 in the Rumble on Route 50.
“We’re gonna be working hard,” Asher said. “… We’ll get a good team dinner in, and we’re gonna come ready to play. It’s gonna be homecoming week. We’re gonna show up and show out. That’s the goal.”
Crete-Monee 52, Bradley-Bourbonnais 14: Amarre Carey and Dominic Jackson combined for 304 rushing yards and four touchdowns as host Crete won its sixth in a row on Oct. 2.
The Warriors (6-1, 4-0) will host Kankakee (5-2, 4-0) at 6 p.m. Oct. 9 with the Southland title on the line.
Coal City 55. Peotone 7: Eli Chenoweth ran 15 times for 103 yards and a TD for visiting Peotone (5-2, 3-2 Illinois Central Eight) on Oct. 2. The Blue Devils led 7-6 early in the second quarter but the Coalers scored the game’s last 49 points.
Vedette staff contributed to this story.