The undersized Div. 7 football program of 27 kids at Ayer Shirley is doing its best to hold steady amidst a storm.
Four years removed from having to cut a 2020 season short due to injuries, the Panthers are doing their best to tread water following a rash of injuries. Their plight was sadly but adequately reflected in Friday night’s heart-breaking 22-16 loss at Lunenburg.
Ayer Shirley held a two-score edge early as star quarterback Bobby Manchester ran for 125 yards and a pair of touchdowns in the first half. The 6-foot-3 right-hander, who joined the varsity team last season having not played since Pop Warner, appeared to be putting together his best football yet, drawing comparisons from Blue Knights Coach Casey McDonnell to Sutton three-year starter Cam Benedict.
“After watching film, we knew Bobby Manchester could do it all for this group,” McDonnell said. “He’s got a good arm and can make plays with his legs. And being able to do both of those things always makes it harder for a defense to game plan against.”
Manchester showed his brilliance on the opening drive of the game, making a handful of defenders miss en route to a highlight-reel run of 42 yards. He capped off the drive with a QB keeper from a yard out, and completed a two-point conversion pass to running back Manny Gambino to give the visitors an 8-0 lead.
The Lunenburg attack answered by pushing the ball deep into Panther territory on the ensuing drive. However, senior defensive back Brady Quirion intercepted Blue Knights quarterback Matt Agnese on a fourth down heave towards the goalline to put a halt to the drive. Manchester’s legs and arm catapulted the team down the field, connecting with both Quirion and Gambino for big plays through the air.
Ayer Shirley powered down to the one-yard line on a 24-yard screen and run from Manchester to Quirion. Manchester kept an option run and scored on first down. The senior followed the score with a scramble toss to wideout Isaiah Mulemba for a 16-0 lead.
The Panthers’ fortunes were reversed on the second play of the third quarter when Manchester had his leg rolled up on. He was ruled out of the game with what officials referred to as either a high ankle sprain or a broken leg.
“We’ll know more this week,” Coach Bill Wright said. “Either way, he’s going to be out for a while.”
The Ayer attack struggled without Manchester’s leadership, accounting for just first down in the second frame while Lunenburg mounted an attack behind Agnese and stand outs, Rudy Auguste and Eli Wright.
The Panthers entered the week ranked No. 18, sitting just outside the projected 16-team playoff bracket that will be solidified following the eighth week of play. Now with a record of 2-3, Ayer Shirley must lean on Quirion as the backup quarterback.
“We have the next-man-up mentality, and Brady understands that,” the coach said.
Not only do they lose Manchester’s running ability, but they need to find a replacement to the pass-catching threat Quirion has become as well.
“We’re banged up to the max right now,” Coach Wright said “We were down to playing our young freshman, Eli Levi, against [Lunenburg]. And he played unbelievable. Like with him, I’m proud of all the effort my kids gave tonight.”
Wright was especially pleased in the role of sportsmanship. A Lunenburg official required medical assistance in the fourth quarter, resulting in a 30-minute delay of the game.
“I told the kids, in life, there’s things more important than football,” he said. “And seeing something like that is scary. But when the game restarted, the defense got a stop and we were able to have one more chance to win. It just didn’t happen for us.”
Aspirations of the postseason, he said, remain hopeful, but a lot has to go right for Ayer Shirley to overcome its current plight.
“We have to one-day-at-a-time mentality right now,” he said. “That’s just where we are at with our numbers. But sometimes you learn more about yourself in losing than you do in winning. And our guys showed a tremendous amount of character. I couldn't be prouder.”
The Panthers will host Quabbin Regional (2-1) Friday evening at 7 p.m..
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