The Manning High School Monarchs left no doubt in their opening-round playoff matchup, dominating the visiting North Central Knights 55-0 on Friday night. The decisive victory improved Manning’s record to 9-1, propelling them to the next round of the SCHSL 2A playoffs, where they will host Hampton County on Nov. 22.
Head coach Reggie Kennedy highlighted the importance of preparation and a strong week of practice, which translated seamlessly into Friday’s performance. The win not only marked a promising start to their playoff run but also positioned Manning advantageously with two more home games standing between them and the semifinals.
Manning set the tone early, overwhelming the Knights on offense and defense. Jalynn Coard’s 10-yard touchdown run opened the scoring in the first quarter, and the Monarchs erupted in the second. A nine-yard touchdown by Jontavious Canty, a 29-yard score by Jeffrey Ceasar following a defensive fumble recovery, and another rushing touchdown by Coard pushed the lead further. Canty also made a defensive impact, returning a fumble for a touchdown before breaking loose for a 49-yard scoring run, giving Manning a 43-0 advantage at halftime.
In the second half, the Monarchs added to their commanding lead. Backup quarterback Lucas Peters connected with CJ Robinson for a 45-yard touchdown, and Joshua Cooper added another rushing score to close out the game.
Canty was instrumental on both sides of the ball, racking up 135 yards and two touchdowns on nine carries while scoring on defense and blocking two kicks. Coard contributed 56 rushing yards and two touchdowns, as well as six tackles and three tackles for loss on defense. Ceasar added 41 yards on the ground, three tackles, and a pass breakup.
The defense, a dominant force all night, held North Central to just 77 total yards. Key contributions came from Lovell Stevenson and Canty with fumble recoveries, while Lamar Hilton led with six tackles and Daquan McFadden added five.
Kennedy pointed to the importance of dominating the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball, noting that the ability to run the football and stop the run is critical to playoff success. Manning’s offensive and defensive lines were pivotal in securing the win.
Looking ahead, Manning will face a formidable Hampton County team, which improved to 8-2 with a 42-21 victory over Woodland in their first-round game. Kennedy emphasized that preparation and maintaining the team’s current health, the best it has been all year, will be essential for continuing their playoff run.
The Monarchs will host the Hurricanes on Friday night at Manning High School, with a spot in the quarterfinals on the line.
