By David Rice
JTV Sports
(August 20, 2023 8:00 AM ET) Manchester finished 6-5 last year and won a playoff game, but head coach Ben Pack believes they make a deeper run in this upcoming 2023 season.
“We have to trust the process. Getting back into the playoffs was great, we started to put more work in and had great results”.
They lost in the district final to eventual semi-finalist (and conference rival) Napoleon and look to compete with them this year on the schedule.
Just 3 years ago in 2020, the now seniors had to start as freshman under Pack’s first year and have been the main part in reviving the program back into being competitive within the area.
Seven starters return on offense and eight on the defensive side. Returners include Kannon Duffing (QB, all-region last year), linemen Landon LaVigne, Cody Branner, and Nathan Fletcher. Others include Gunner Carson (RB/DB), and Luke Blumenauer (WR).
Newcomers expected to make an impact include Bubba Duffing (LB), Alexander Woods (WR), Rocco Guido (OL), Tommy Johnson, and Phoenix Hulswitt.
QB Kannon Duffing is looking to break many program records as well. Kannon is looking to break four including career pass completions, career completion percentage, career touchdown passes, and career passing yards.
Manchester will play two of the four new cascades schools in 2023 (Homer, Leslie) and start the season against Whitmore Lake (won 20-6 last season).
Manchester Flying Dutchmen 2023 Football Schedule:
8/24 vs Whitmore Lake
9/1 Homer
9/8 @ Stockbridge
9/15 @ Napoleon
9/22 vs Leslie
9/29 @ East Jackson
10/6 vs Grass Lake
10/13 vs Michigan Center
10/20 vs Cascades East-West Crossover
