Week 1 Team of the Week: Manchester

Manchester lost only three Class A Division II games last season. They were to eventual champion Bowdon (twice) and runner-up Schley County.

The accumulated motivation might’ve been the extra point the Blue Devils needed last week when they defeated Bowdon 21-20 to open the season.

Manchester head coach Stephen Holmes (right) celebrates the Team of the Week award with his top performers from their Week 1 victory over Bowdon.

“This win was important to our team to make a statement about all of the hard work and devotion by our players and coaches since Jan. 1,” Manchester coach Stephen Holmes told GHSF Daily. “A lot of our team is returning from 2022 and took some punches last season. Since last December, we have worked tirelessly to improve.”

The victory was Manchester’s first over a No. 1-ranked team since 1994 (Macon County) or against a defending state champion since 1989 (R.E. Lee).

Manchester is GHSF Daily’s Team of the Week. The award is sponsored by BSN Sports and Titan Electric.