Manheim Township

By John Buffone

jbuffone@gametimepa.com

Despite having an overall record of 5-6, The Blue Streaks power ranking was good enough to squeak into the District 3 Class AAAA playoffs last year before falling, 44-6 to Wilson.

The 2014 version of Manheim Township will look to improve with an array of contributors returning. The Streaks will sport a backfield with Cartier Morton who led the team with 440 rushing yards and 7 touchdowns in 2013.

Quarterbacks Davis Carr and Erik Benjamin will also be returning along with their favorite target, Olufisayo Oluleye who brought in 41 receptions for 485 yards last season. Carr and Benjamin combined for 1358 passing yards last season with Carr having 1031 and Benjamin throwing for 327.

“I just want to experience something like a family on the team. It’s a close-knit group and I want to win games obviously,” Oluleye said. “I think we can do that from what we have been doing this offseason and I don’t see any reason why we can’t go 8-2 and compete with Wilson to the very end.”

While they put up solid offensive statistics, Township will have to find a way to put the ball in the end zone a little more in 2014 after averaging just 19 points per game. On the flipside of the ball however, the Streaks defense will look to continue their dominance after allowing just 17 points per game until the last two games of the season when they gave up 100 points.

“The key area was strength. We’ve had about fifty kids go through our morning program and we’ve have very good attendance in the summer and we had an excellent team camp. We’re taking more time not only in the weight room but in the fundamental development,” head coach Mark Evans said. “I definitely see a dramatic improvement.”