Johnson lifts Manchester

Manchester linebacker Kyle Johnson got his right thumb caught in a facemask last week. It bent so far back that Lancers coach Tom Hall said it looked like a fish hook.

"I've seen two childbirths," Hall said, "and this was as bad."

It didn't keep Johnson from getting a thumbs-up on his performance last night. Playing with a bandaged hand, the senior came up with two turnovers that got the ninth-ranked Lancers started toward what became a 41-14 Dominion District victory over visiting Monacan.

With Monacan ahead 7-6 and deep in Lancers territory in the second quarter, Johnson stepped in front of a curl route and intercepted a pass. Four plays later, Jamal Winston scored on a 28-yard run.

"I was just dropping back in my rightful coverage," Johnson said. "I've got to give my cornerbacks credit for locking down on the receivers so the quarterback would look my way."

On the ensuing series, Johnson picked up a fumble on a mishandled handoff and returned it 11 yards to the Monacan 18. Brandon Chiles scored three plays later to put Manchester in control.

"He's just a tough kid," Hall said. "He is an emotional leader. We haven't had that type of kid for a few years."

Johnson said he's basically the "drill sergeant" of the defense.

"I make sure everybody is hyped up and knows what they need to do," said Johnson, who almost had another interception.

Manchester (1-0, 2-1) got hyped about its running game in the second half. The Lancers, operating out of a spread offense, turned Chiles and quarterback Steven White loose behind their big offensive line.

Chiles, a 5-5, 155-pound junior, had 23 carries for 178 yards and three TDs. White had 67 yards on six carries as the Lancers racked up 380 yards rushing.

"They have a good running game," Monacan coach Danny Parsons said. "Chiles is the real deal."

Turnovers hampered the Chiefs (1-1, 1-2). They had three, all of which led to Manchester touchdowns. Monacan also had a TD pass called back with 26 seconds left in the first half because of a cut block.

"We just can't overcome those type of mistakes," Parsons said. "It's high school football. They will hurt you every time.

"They're a good football team. They made a lot of that stuff happen."

Winston, a 5-4 sophomore, almost had a huge night for the Lancers, returning punts of 59 and 55 yards for TDs. Both were called back because of penalties.

"We do [have some weapons]," said Hall, who has very few seniors in the starting lineup. "We just tell the kids they've got to get better every week, and they've done that."

Monacan ------------------------- 7 0 7 0 - 14
Manchester ------------------------- 6 14 14 7 - 41

Man - Pugh 48 pass from White (kick failed)

Mon - Walker 32 pass from Staib (Luck kick)

Man - Winston 28 run (Salmons kick)

Man - Chiles 14 run (Salmons kick)

Man - Chiles 28 run (Salmons kick)

Mon - Brown 38 pass from Staib (Luck kick)

Man - Bivines 2 pass from White (Salmons kick)

Man - Chiles 9 run (Salmons kick)
RUSHING

Monacan - Staib 10 carries, 43 yards, Brown 8-8, Bryant 1-1, Bracy 3minus-6; Manchester - Chiles 23-178, White 6-67, Winston 6-49, Bivines 4-19, Hooper 3-14, Wilburn 1-14, Eddings 1-11, Phillips 1-8, Pugh 1-6
PASSING

Monacan - Staib 7 completions, 27 attempts, 136 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception, Woody 0-3-0-0-0; Manchester - White 6-13-68-2-1; Winston 1-1-25-0-0; Hooper 1-1-7-0-0
RECEIVING

Monacan - Walker 2 catches, 73 yards, Brown 1-38, Bracy 2-9, Bradshaw 1-9, Hicks 1-7; Manchester - Pugh 3-80, Briggs 2-13, Eddings 1-7, Bivines 1-2, Wilburn 1minus-2