PAC Game of the Year - 2017 | CVCA (7-2, 5-1 PAC) at Manchester (7-2, 6-0 PAC) | Week 10 | October 27, 2017
This is the 19th in an ongoing series, highlighting the PAC Game of the Year in each season, from 1999 through 2023, which will lead up to the start of the 2024 high school football season. For a look back at prior summaries, click here for
1999,
2000,
2001,
2002,
2003,
2004,
2005,
2006,
2007,
2008,
2009,
2010,
2011,
2012,
2013,
2014,
2015 and
2016.
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The Prelude
The 2017 season ushered in a glorious era of PAC football. Manchester was the defending champs, and they had a generational talent in sophomore Ethan Wright. The Fairless Falcons, who hadn't earned a conference championship since the Carter Administration, were right in the thick of things. CVCA, on the heels of the worst stretch in program history - a 3-27 record over three years - rose from the ashes, led by a speedster in junior Tre Tucker. And down at Orrville, a phenomenal freshman named Marquael Parks burst onto the scene.
The season played out, and as Week 10 approached, the Panthers were undefeated in conference, and CVCA and Fairless each sported just one conference loss. The Falcons were expected to dispatch of lowly Tuslaw (which they ultimately did 35-20). With the win, the Falcons needed a CVCA win at Manchester to force a three-way tie for the 2017 PAC championship.
And to add to the drama, head coach Jim France was on the cusp of history. A win against the Royals during Rivalry Week would make France the winningest coach in Ohio High School Football History. And what played out on that Friday night at historic James R. France Stadium was a game for the ages.
The Game
The Panthers got the ball first, and they scored first. Eight plays in just over 3-1/2 minutes, culminating in a 15-yard touchdown pass from senior Jo Jo France to fellow senior Sam Knight. A 2-point attempt failed and Manchester led 6-0.
Then, they kicked off to Tre Tucker. Wrong move. Eighty-three yards and a Bryce Kightlinger PAT later, CVCA was on top 7-6, as the overflowing crowd was stunned. The game was just getting started.
Manchester answered. Ethan Wright put the Panthers back on top with a 3-yard run. Again the 2-point conversion attempt failed to make it 12-7 after one quarter of play.
Tucker gave CVCA the lead again with a 6-yard run to the the Royals back in front 14-12. But again, the lead was short-lived. Manchester put up back to back scores. The first came on an 8-yard touchdown pass from Jo Jo France to Wright, and then on Manchester's next possession, sophomore running back Hunter Foster rumbled 80 yards for another score. Both scores saw successful 2-point PAT plays, and suddenly, the hosts were doubling up the Royals 28-14.
The teams exchanged another pair of scores before the half ended. CVCA senior quarterback Elijah Payne capped a drive with a 15-yard run and Ethan Wright hauled in another 15-yard pass from France. After the conversion attempt failed, Manchester still went the locker room feeling good about themselves with a 34-21 lead.
The celebration was on. Coach France was on his way to win #382. The only problem? Somebody forgot to tell the Royals. This wasn't the same CVCA team that had bumbled its way through the prior three seasons.
The Royals came out of the locker room and dominated the third quarter. CVCA put up a trio of touchdowns as Tucker scored again from five yards out. Then junior Jordan Decatur pulled CVCA even with a 15-yard jaunt to the endzone. The ensuing PAT put CVCA up by a point, 35-34. And when Isaac Strausser hauled in a 15-yard heave from Payne on the next Royals drive for another Royals touchdown, it was bedlam in the visiting stands. CVCA flipped the game script and closed the third quarter with a 42-34 lead. And they looked unstoppable.
But the game was far from over. And like they had 381 times before with Jim France roaming the sideline, Manchester found a way. The defense stepped up. The offense found its groove again. And Manchester put up three fourth quarter scores of their own - with three successful conversions, all while holding the potent CVCA offense off the board.
First it was Wright (again!) capping a drive with a 2-yard run. The conversion tied the score at 42-42, early in the final stanza. Then Jo Jo France, the grandson of the legendary head coach, connected with senior Coye Schuler on a 33-yard pitch and catch, which turned out to be the game winner. And finally, the Panthers put the Royals away with a 17-yard scamper by the quarterback. France hit Wright on a pass play for the final conversion, and Manchester staved off the pesky Royals with a 58-42 thriller in New Franklin.
Win #382 make head coach Jim France the winningest coach in Ohio high school football history. Michael Beaven of
The Akron Beacon Journal caught up with him after the game:
Jim France celebrates win #382 with the Panthers
The Panthers were again PAC champs - for the 21st time in school history. Ethan Wright toted the ball 30 times for 162 yards with two rushing touchdowns. He added four receptions for 62 yards and another two scores. Jo Jo Wright was 9 of 15 for 180 yards through the air with four of the completions going for six points. He added another touchdown on the ground.
The Royals were forced to leave Manchester in defeat once again, having garnered victory in New Franklin just one time in school history. Tucker ended the night with 12 carries for 121 yards and two scores - plus the 83-yard kickoff return for a score. Decatur carried 14 times for 97 yards and Payne ended up 6 of 15 for 114 yards and a touchdown pass.
CVCA came up short in the final game of the season, but finished 7-3 overall.
Future University of Cincinnati teammates compete. Ethan Wright tries to evade Tre Tucker.
The Postlude
The loss cost CVCA a shot at the playoffs. The Royals season was over as they finished 7-3, but it was only good enough for tenth in Division 4 Region 13
Manchester punched their ticket for a first round home game in the Division 5 Region 17 playoffs - against a familiar opponent no less. Week 11 presented a PAC rematch against Fairless. The Panthers gave Fairless their only conference loss in a resounding 51-14 victory over the Falcons on the road in Week 6. The rematch at home ended in similar fashion with Manchester winning 38-12.
The season came to an end a week later in the Regional Semifinal against #1 seed South Range, who defeated the Panthers 34-14.
Akron Beacon Journal Game and Victory Record Story Link (Manchester focus):
Jim France celebrates the victory with his son Jason
Here's the
Record Publishing Company story (with a CVCA-focus) from Michael Leonard:
