After missing nearly all of last season with a concussion, Lakes High wide receiver Ma’ne Manaea couldn’t wait to get back on the field
That was evident Friday night.
Manaea caught three touchdown passes, and the Lancers scored on every offensive possession on their way to a season-opening 63-8 win over rival Clover Park at Harry Lang Stadium.
“Missing last season, it was like it took a part of my life away,” the senior said.
Looking anything but rusty, Manaea was everywhere against the Warriors. He finished with four catches for 120 yards.
Quarterback David Wood – starting in place of Cedric Dozier – completed 9 of 11 passes for 192 yards and six touchdowns. He rushed for another score.
Dozier sat out for precautionary reasons after suffering a concussion on a helmet-to-helmet hit at practice two weeks ago.
It took the Lancers just three plays to score on their opening drive, as Wood capped it with a 21-yard touchdown pass to Manaea.
With his long hair flowing from underneath his helmet, the shifty Manaea was just getting started.
After Clover Park (0-1) turned the ball over on downs on the ensuing possession, Wood connected with Manaea, who was streaking across the middle, for another 21-yard TD to give the Lancers a 13-0 first-quarter lead.
Lakes (1-0) got the ball back early in the second quarter and needed just four plays to score again. Wood hit Manaea with a perfect touch pass down the middle for a 40-yard touchdown.
“I was really excited for the game,” Manaea said. “ It’s a big win. It feels good.”
Halfback Kevin Thompson added a 43-yard touchdown reception on a screen pass to increase the Lancers’ lead to 41-0 at halftime. Lakes held Clover Park to just 8 yards of total offense in the first half.
“It’s the first game … it’s not really about Clover Park. It’s about us getting better,” Lakes coach Dave Miller said. “We’re not trying to embarrass anybody, but we have to play three quarters. We have to work on stuff and get better.”
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