CANTON — Struggles with completing scoring drives, coupled with Canton Galva’s all-everything speedster Lane McMannis, spelled trouble for Crest High Friday.
McMannis scored six touchdowns, including a game-opening 78-yard return for a score, as Canton Galva eliminated Crest from the Eight Man-II playoffs, 56-8.
The setback ends Crest’s season at 4-5.
That said, Crest didn’t exactly go quietly into the night.
The Lancers responded promptly after McMannis took back the opening kickoff.
Crest marched down the field with a mix of run and pass plays until quarterback Ryan Golden found receiver Jerry Rodriguez down the middle for a 19-yard touchdown pass. Jensen Barker’s ensuing two-point run pushed Crest ahead, 8-6.
The advantage didn’t last long. The Eagles took possession at midfield — Crest declined to kick at McMannis after his opening return — and took 34 seconds of game time to get back in front. This time it was Ediger who found McMannis from 19 yards out to give Canton Galva a 12-8 lead.
Crest never got back in front, although the Lancers were able to mount several scoring threats for the balance of the game.
But, as fate would have it, those chances came up dry.
Ediger found Kustom Schamp on a nifty 17-pass play. Crest’s Gentry McGhee offered up blanket coverage but was outjumped by Schamp as the ball reached the end zone.
From there, McMannis took over, scoring on runs of 35, 37, 58 and 17 yards.
His final score ended the contest at the 1:49 mark of the third quarter, once the spread exceeded 45 points.
The teams offered up some fireworks at the end of the first half. Crest had the ball deep on its side of the field, and was set to punt the ball away in the waning seconds. But Golden’s punt was blocked, giving the Eagles one shot at the end zone before intermission.
This time, it was the Lancers’ turn to repel the Eagles, stuffing the play short of the goal line.
Unofficially, Golden completed five passes for 87 yards, including three passes to McGhee covering 38 yards. Drake Weir added a highlight reel catch covering 32 yards. Rodriguez had 17 yards on his touchdown catch.
Barker and Kade Nilges shared high-rushing honors for Crest with 32 yards apiece.
Ediger rushed for 10 yards and threw for 60 to four different receivers.
