Jackets Control Second Half in 27-8 Win Against Manchester

DEFIANCE, Ohio -- After struggling to a 7-3 lead at the half, Defiance hit its stride on both sides of the ball en route to a 27-8 victory over Manchester in Saturdays HCAC opener inside Coressel Stadium. The Jackets capitalized on big plays all afternoon, posting three of 35 yards or longer and two scoring strikes of over 60 yards.

Defiance had little trouble against the HCACs top-ranked defense heading into play on Saturday, hanging 430 total yards of offense on the Spartans. The yardage for the Jackets was nearly 150 yards more than Manchester had allowed on average in 2007.

Hans Vetter had a solid game under center for Defiance, connecting on 17-of-23 passes for 220 yards and trio of touchdowns to three separate receivers. Luke Dillon was the primary target, as the senior receiver hauled in 11 catches for 121 yards and a score to top the 100-yard plateau for the fourth time in as many games this season. Nate Fitton was on the receiving end of a 70-yard touchdown from Vetter and Gary Allen caught three passes for 26 yards and a touchdown.

Lewis Caralla set the tone early for the Jackets, reeling off a 35-yard run on DCs opening drive before scoring on a 65-yard sprint in the third quarter. Caralla ended his day with 139 yards on 15 carries and a score.

The Yellow Jacket defense bent in the opening half, but refused to break and kept Manchester to just three points in the opening 30 minutes. DC buckled down in the second half however, giving Vetter and company the opportunity to take command of the game by holding Manchester to just 96 total yards of offense and limiting the leagues top rushing attack to a paltry 17 yards on the ground.

Keith Snyder led all players with 11 more tackles, bringing his season total to 45 sticks through four games. R.J. Chidester turned in eight hits, while Chris Tietje and Travis Guisinger each recorded seven tackles and a sack. Guisinger also got DCs lone turnover of the game, picking off a Joel Hawkins pass in the waning minutes of the fourth quarter.

Defiance wasted little time taking the lead, as the Jackets scored on the games sixth play from scrimmage. The drive was bolstered by Carallas 35-yard scamper and capped by a fourth-down touchdown pass from Vetter to Dillon from 15 yards out for the early 7-0 lead.

The DC defense then made a trio of crucial stands to preserve the lead after three-straight Jacket possessions ended in turnovers. After the first DC turnover, Manchester started a drive on its own 32 and marched down to the Defiance 13. The Spartans would move the ball to the four over their next three plays, but Brandon Wells was stuffed by Andrew Mickey and David Sims on a crucial fourth and one play.

Yet another turnover on Defiances next drive set up a similar situation for Manchester as the Spartans drove the length of the field to get a first and goal from DCs five. The Jackets held strong once again and forced MC to settle for a field goal.

The third stand came in the closing seconds of the half as Manchesters fourth-down pass into the end zone from 25 yards out was batted away by Dustin Supan to send the Jackets to the half with a 7-3 advantage.

After dodging several bullets in the opening 30 minutes, the Defiance lead took another hit after Adam VanZile chased Vetter down in the end zone for a safety midway through the third quarter.

With the Jackets clinging to a 7-5 lead and trying to maintain control, Caralla turned the game around on DCs ensuing possession. After a five-yard run to begin the drive, Caralla busted through the line on the next play and made a pair of MC defenders miss before sprinting 65 yards to the end zone and the 13-5 lead.

Manchester would answer with a field goal to trim the lead to 13-8, but Gary Allen set up DCs next drive with a 30-yard return to the DC 45 with 1:52 left to play in the quarter. Vetter closed the frame with a 32-yard strike to Dillon, which set up first and goal for the Jackets. Vetter then found Allen two plays later for the touchdown and a two-point conversion gave Defiance the 21-8 lead.

The Jackets capped the 27-8 victory on their next possession when Vetter hooked up with Fitton for his third touchdown pass of the afternoon. Fitton made a leaping grab on MCs 35-yard line before spinning past his defender and racing down the sideline to pay dirt for the 70-yard score.

Defiance (2-2, 1-0 HCAC) will host Rose-Hulman (4-1, 1-1 HCAC) next Saturday at 1:30 pm. The game will highlight DCs 2007 Homecoming festivities.