Dutchmen, Warriors renew rivalry Friday

Two of the most successful football teams in the Cascades Conference over the past decade are set to continue their rivalry.
There will be plenty at stake when the Manchester varsity football team collides with the Grass Lake Warriors in a Cascades Conference battle Friday at the Joe Bechtel Athletic Complex.
For the Dutchmen, the game is a chance to look up a berth in the state playoffs for the third straight year. Manchester (5-1, 4-1 Cascades) will also look to remain in the league championship race, as it is currently tied with Addison for second and sit one game behind undefeated Michigan Center.
Grass Lake (4-2, 3-2 Cascades) is looking for a key victory to stay in contention for a playoff spot. The Warriors are also trying to put eight years of frustration to rest when they host Manchester.
Both teams are entering the game hot. After opening Cascades play with a tough loss to Michigan Center, the Dutchmen have reeled off four straight victories. Last week, another two touchdown performances from sophomore quarterback Nate Bossory sparked Manchester to a 32-17 homecoming victory over Hanover-Horton. The Dutchmen scored all of their points in the first half, then cleared their bench in the second half as several players on the second unit received playing time.
The Warriors have been just as strong over the last two weeks, allowing a combined seven points in victories over Napoleon and East Jackson. In last week’s 39-0 victory over the Trojans, Grass Lake used a balanced attack that featured three Mason Finch touchdown passes.
Over the past several seasons, the Warriors have featured a powerful rushing attack with standouts like Skylar Stoker (’09), John Vuocolo and Ben Kulwicki. Grass Lake can still pound the ball at teams, as six different running backs have scored touchdowns this year. Zach Wallace and Steven Tyler led the Warriors with three rushing touchdowns apiece, while Frank Vuocolo has a team-best 401 yards on 60 carries this season.
The ground game is not the only thing the Dutchmen defense will have to deal with Friday, as Grass Lake is focusing more on balance in its offense this year. Finch has thrown for 606 yards so far with six touchdowns to two interceptions. Dylan and Jordan Adams have been Finch’s favorite targets, as the duo has combined for 21 catches and five touchdowns.
Grass Lake has emerged as one of the top programs in the Cascades, having qualified for the state playoffs six straight years and 10 times since 1998. The Warriors’ deepest run came in 2006 when they advanced to the Division 7 state championship game before falling to Muskegon Catholic Central. Grass Lake finished 11-3 that season. Two years later, the Warriors earned a share of the Cascades title with Manchester and Addison.
Despite the Warriors’ success, it has been the Dutchmen with the upper hand in the rivalry. Manchester has won its last eight games against Grass Lake, including a thrilling 10-8 victory in the first round of last year’s Division 6 state playoffs. The Warriors put together a long drive in the closing minutes of the game, but Brent Schriber blocked a potential game-winning field goal with 24 seconds later to give Manchester the win.
Three of the last four meetings have been decided in the final minute. In 2007, Kyler Ritter’s touchdown run with 40 seconds remaining gave the Dutchmen a 15-12 victory. The following year, Will Rickert accounted for five Manchester touchdowns, the last coming with 15 seconds left in the Dutchmen’s 44-38 victory.
Grass Lake’s last victory over the Dutchmen came in the 2002 campaign.