Harding rolls easy past Buchtel for third win

The Raiders dominated the Griffins in the 35-0 rout.
By CHUCK HOUSTEAU
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
WARREN -- The Warren Harding High football team didn't need any heroics from Mario Manningham Saturday against Akron Buchtel.
Harding (3-0) dominated all facets of the game to easily turn back a good Buchtel team 35-0 at Mollenkopf Stadium.
The Griffins had opened the seasons with impressive road wins over Massillon Washington and North Canton Hoover.
It was the Raiders' defense that set the tone for the game, but Harding's offense was just as impressive.
"We're happy to have that win and the way we got it," said Harding coach Thom McDaniels. "We did not expect that type of score against Buchtel."
Herron leads way
Sophomore running back Dan Herron scored three touchdowns and rushed for 119 yards on 19 carries, while quarterback Roger Matlock threw two touchdown passes and ran for one to lead the Raiders offensively.
Defensively, Harding held the high-powered Griffin offense to 38 yards and four first downs in the first half. Overall, Buchtel had just 122 total yards against the Harding defense.
While Harding's defense kept Buchtel in check, the Raiders benefited from strong special teams play, led by Manningham. Manningham, last week's hero in the impressive win over Cleveland Glenville, returned four punts for 66 yards to set up the Raiders with good field position all night.
"Last week we thought we played hard, but we could play better," McDaniels said. "Tonight, we wanted to play hard and play well.
"My first impression is, we did that."
Early turnover
A turnover led to the first score of the game. Harding's Preston Kelson intercepted Buchtel quarter Dorell Knight at the Griffins' 42 and returned it to Harding's 22. Three plays later, Matlock threw a swing pass to Herron, who raced 22 yards for the early lead.
The Raiders scored again later in the quarter when an errant Buchtel punt snap gave Harding the ball at the Griffins' 3. Two plays later, Matlock scored on a 1-yard run.
Harding tacked on two scores in the second quarter in big play fashion. Manningham hauled in a 50-yard pass from Matlock down the right sideline for a TD and, later, Herron raced 30 yards untouched through the center of Buchtel's defense to make it 25-0.
Final scoring
The Raiders tacked on 10 points in the second half on a 10-yard scoring pass from Matlock to Herron and a 30-yard field goal by female kicker Alana Westover, a junior.
"Many people didn't think we could start the season 3-0, but we had a lot of confidence and we keep getting better each week," Matlock said.
Matlock finished 6 of 9 for 123 yards and Harding racked up 266 yards and 13 first downs. Manningham had four catches for 91 yards.