NORTH MANCHESTER, Ind. – The Panthers (7-2 overall, 4-1 HCAC) put together an impressive offensive performance on Saturday afternoon, crushing Manchester 57-35 on the road. Hanover found the end zone eight times, highlighted by six passing touchdowns from senior quarterback Eian Roudebush, who became the Hanover all-time touchdown passing leader. 

HOW IT HAPPENED

Hanover wasted little time getting on the scoreboard, opening the contest with a six-play, 54-yard drive capped off by a 29-yard touchdown pass from Roudebush to junior DJ Grinter. 

The Panther defense held Manchester scoreless through the opening quarter, while Weitzel extended the lead with a 25-yard field goal to make it 10-0.

The Hanover offense continued to click in the second quarter as Roudebush connected with senior Scotty Johnson for a 17-yard touchdown, extending the Panther advantage to 17-0. Manchester responded with a 61-yard touchdown reception to cut into the lead, but Hanover quickly responded.

Roudebush found Grinter for a second time, this time connecting on a 31-yard touchdown pass to push the lead to 24-6. The Panthers added another score just before halftime when Roudebush connected with sophomore Preston Kempf for a 25-yard touchdown.

Coming out of halftime, Manchester fumbled the return, allowing freshman Landyn Hazelwood to recover the ball and return it for a touchdown. The play extended Hanover's lead to 37-6.

The Panthers continued their offensive surge in the third quarter. Roudebush connected with Johnson for a four-yard touchdown before finding junior Spencer Jones for a 14-yard scoring strike stretching the advantage to 51-6.

Manchester added two touchdowns of its own, but Hanover answered once more as junior Zayn Satchwell punched in a two-yard rushing touchdown with six seconds remaining in the third quarter. The Panthers carried a 57-14 lead into the final period.

Manchester added a late touchdown in the fourth quarter, but Hanover maintained control to secure the 57-35 victory.

INSIDE THE STATS

Roudebush led the Panther offense, completing 26-of-33 passes for 291 yards and six touchdowns. Grinter paced the receivers with eight catches for 109 yards and two touchdowns, while Johnson added six receptions for 84 yards and two scores.

Kempf finished with four receptions for 31 yards and a touchdown.

On the ground, Satchwell led Hanover with 59 yards on seven carries, including two rushing touchdowns. Junior Blaik Nation added 48 rushing yards on eight attempts.
 

Defensively, junior Kasey Hospelhorn recorded an interception, while Hazelwood recovered a fumbled kickoff.
 

The Panthers return to action next Saturday when they head to Franklin for the playing of the 96th Victory Bell Game.