Green vs. Canal Winchester in Round Three: Manson's Comeback, Beyl's Explosive Run-Game, and Just's Defensive Mastery
Green's Resilience Meets Canal Winchester's Defense
Green's senior captain and starting quarterback Samino Manson went down with a broken collarbone in week five; with tears in his eyes on the sideline for weeks, he watched as his team pushed through all the adversity and make it to the playoffs.
"I didn't think I was coming back," said Manson.
The Bulldogs are in round three of the DII R7 bracket, and he's already playing again.
Manson, known affectionately as "Mino" by teammates, got most of the snaps in Green's dominant 31-7 victory over Hoover last week. Finishing 7-11 on 124 yards and three touchdowns, he threw zero interceptions, proving his eye-catching vision for the field. Though Hoover struggled defensively, the rematch showed Manson's overall effect running the offense.
As mentioned, Hunka and Manson's combined efforts have pushed Green into round three of their bracket.
Here's what you need to know before Green and Canal Winchester travel to Crater Stadium tonight.
Canal Winchester Late Season Struggles
A downward trend in scoring began for the Indians late in the season, struggling to defeat Delaware Hayes in a week nine nail-biter. The very next week was worse, with Canal Winchester losing their first game in the last game of their season. What would've been an undefeated season turned into a disappointing ending, and their playoff run was close to finished in a 7-3 victory over Watkins Memorial last week.
Canal Winchester's offensive strategy is centered around senior Kaseem Wade (5’10”, 190), often positioned behind a formidable offensive line. The line is anchored by senior David Sipke, who stands at an imposing 6'4" and weighs 305 pounds. Together, they create a threat that has proven difficult for opposing defenses to contain.
Canal Winchester's defense has been dominant this season, with senior DE Brayden Young leading the way with a program-record 15 sacks, two of which came in the team's last game. Junior Eli Spruill also had an impressive performance, recording three sacks. Though a low-scoring affair, their defense only allowed a field goal against the Watkins Memorial Warriors. Senior MLB Harlee Hanna currently leads the team in interceptions and tackles; he also is tied with Young for total sacks.
Watch their run game and defense; if Green can get past those obstacles, they'll be all right when regulation ends.
Beyl's Emergence and Just's Defensive Dominance
Canal Winchester's defense is strong, but Green's newly established run game with senior Jorden Beyl has started to take shape. After Manson went down, Beyl's abilities were highlighted extensively play after play in the following weeks. The RB recorded his third 100-yard rushing yard game of the season against Hoover, scoring the opening touchdown; he pushed himself three yards through a pile of Hoover defenders right up the middle. Beyl's running and Manson's versatility behind center shape a compelling offensive scheme.
Green's defense is anchored by senior safety Josh Just, who has recorded six interceptions this season. Junior Antonio Martin is also a key contributor to the team's defense, having recorded five interceptions. On the defensive line, two-way junior lineman Michael Schaal is a dominant force to be reckoned with, having recorded 19 tackles for loss and ten sacks. Schaal looked to have the wind knocked out of him after a strong hit against Hoover; he only sat out for one play before coming back in and forcing the Vikings to fumble the ball away. Green line coach Jimmy Mashburn emphasized the growth when asked about "Iron Mike" and the trenches.
“These guys have grown as a group all season, battling with injuries…These guys have really taken the job seriously, and they love the disrespect we get. We get outsized every week…They want to prove people wrong,” said Mashburn.
