Groton-Dunstable Escapes! Stifling Defense and Manning Too Much for Spartans

In Midland-Wachusett League C action, Groton-Dunstable fullback Matt Manning ran for 178 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Crusaders past Oakmont, 13-7.

Despite five turnovers, Groton-Dunstable (6-1), escaped with the win behind Manning's effort, and quarterback Mark Ebehardt, who ran for 76 yards on 12 carries.

Crusaders took the lead midway through second quarter. The big play was a 22-yard run by Eberhardt on a quarterback draw with Manning bulling his way in from the six. Freshmen Corey Romich's PAT kick made it 7-0.

Crusaders received the second-half kickoff and got good field position thanks to a 22-yard return to the Oakmont 45 by Tristan Lynch. Eberhardt and Manning combined for nine successive carries, finished off by Manning's six yard TD run. GD led 13-0 when PAT was missed.

Spartans (3-4, 0-3) AJ Allard scored on a three-yard run late in the third quarter and Nick Ricci's PAT made it 13-7.  

A Romich 23-yard field goal attempt late in fourth quarter was just wide but Crusaders held on with outstanding defensive effort by Drew Moore and Quintin Forbes able to break up a pass deep in the Crusaders end.

For the game, Forbes also had three passes broken up including two on Oakmont's final drive. Manning had a team-high seven tackles, linebacker Charles Hill added four tackles and Joey Orlando and Matt Plausse each recorded a sack for the Crusaders A.J.

Games remain against Littleton, Gardner (home) and Lunenburg before Thanksgiving Day Clash against Tyngsborough (7-0)