Kenston edges out Manchester in exciting late game finish

Kenston sophomore wide-out Kahlil Hinton runs back the opening kickoff. (Photo: Chuck Cordes/Ohsfbmedia.com)

NEW FRANKLIN, Ohio - In a dramatic conclusion, the Kenston Bombers narrowly defeat the previously undefeated Manchester Panthers, 24-17.

"We never let our head down, we always say keep going, we went through and got the dub." said Hinton.

From the initial kick-off, events seem to favor Kenston, as sophomore Kahlil Hinton returns a deep kick to the Manchester 35-yard line. However, they fail to capitalize on the gain, ultimately turning the ball over on downs.

Both teams would find an offensive struggle during the early portion of the game. (Photo: Chuck Cordes/Ohsfbmedia.com)

Both teams would exchange in a defensive effort throughout the period, until, with just 0:25 remaining in the quarter, Kenston quarterback, Adam Barr, would connect with Kahlil Hinton, who outmaneuvers his defender along the sideline to score, bringing the score to 7-0 following a successful PAT. This is how the quarter would end.

"We knew it was going to be a four-quarter battle," said Grubich. In the second, we would see scores from both teams, with Kenston edging them out, but Manchester would strike first as Taylor Pappas would find Malachi Cintron for an 18-yard one-handed catch to tie it up at 7 apiece. 

From that moment onward, it was entirely Kenston for the remainder of the half, highlighted by a 63-yard touchdown reception and run from Barr to Hinton with just under six minutes remaining, followed by a 25-yard field goal from Grady Kucharson, ending the half with a 17-7 lead.

Kenston head coach Jeff Gurbich talks with quarterback Adam Barr during the game. (Photo: Chuck Cordes/Ohsfbmedia.com)

As they enter the second half of the game, it would be a tale of two halves, as Manchester controlled the clock and line of scrimmage, denying them possession of their side of the field for over five minutes in the quarter, leading to two scores to tie the game up at 17, first a field goal and a 36-yard pass from Pappas to Cintron for a second time with 3:10 left in the quarter.

"Well, we were just having mental errors on the o-line, and with myself, actually, said Barr.

The adjustments by Manchester would put Ayden Meade front and center as they wanted to make the run game the focal point, "We did'nt panic," said Head Coach Kevin Stacy. "Coach Yokum made a couple of adjustments and the kids responded."

With a couple of penalties, fatigue, and just missed opportunities, the Panthers would allow Kenston to score with 6:06 left in the game after doing so well controlling the clock, a 5-yard run by Will Hamm to go up 24-17, and hold on for the victory that gave head coach Jeff Grubich his 100th win. 

Manchester running back Ayden Meade trying to elude tackle by Kenston defender. (Photo: Chuck Cordes/Ohsfbmedia.com)

This game would be quarterback Adam Barr's second start as we enter the second half of the regular season, "I love this team, and this is my only second varsity start."

Kenston moves to 3-2 on the season and will face Eastlake North (3-2) after being defeated by Garfield Heights 48-17. Manchester would drop its first game of the season at (4-1) and will host Tuslaw in week six.