Manning impressive as Newman blanks East Jefferson

It was a smashing debut Thursday night for the Newman Greenies and their gifted sophomore quarterback Arch Manning.

Newman scored early and often. Manning tossed five touchdown passes ran for another in the second half to lift the Greenies to a convincing 41-0 victory over East Jefferson at Joe Yenni Stadium.

Manning connected with talented junior A.J. Johnson on two first half touchdown passes and tossed another pair of touchdown passes to Pike Philibert in the first half to give Newman a commanding 28-0 lead by halftime. The first touchdown to Johnson covered 63 yards and the second was 15 yards.

It was 7-0 after one quarter before the Greenies erupted for 21 points in the second quarter.

The two scoring tossed to Philibert covered 29 and nine yards, respectively.

Manning started the third quarter by connecting on a 20-yard touchdown pass to junior Chris Hunter before Manning accounted for the final margin, scoring on a one-yard quarterback sneak to make it 41-0 going to the fourth quarter.

Manning completed 13-of-16 passes for 261 yards and five touchdowns and one interception and ran for a score.

Defensively Will Hardie had a pair of interceptions to pace Newman.

Greenies coach Nelson Stewart was happy to be back on the field for real

“It was a good start,” Stewart said. “It felt like a lifetime since we were out there competing. We are blessed to be playing. I thought defensively, we got three turnovers and did a really good job, making them work hard. We were physical up front offensively but we had a few too many penalties.”

Stewart was happy with Manning.

“Our ball distribution was good,” Stewart said. “Arch moved around and bought time and made plays. It was good to get some reserves in. Our special teams did a good job to shorten the field as well. All in all, for the first time out for a while, it was good. Sterling Scott was outstanding defensively. It was a well rounded win.”

Both schools return to action hosting their most heated, traditional rival next week.

The Greenies will host Country Day a week from Saturday at Joe Yenni Stadium at 7 p.m. while the Warriors will host Riverdale next Friday night.

Thursday’s LHSAA Scores

Baton Rouge Area

Episcopal 41, Country Day 7

Central 59, Belaire 6

Donaldsonville 56, Broadmoor 6

Ascension Catholic 35, Slaughter Community Charter 6

Southern Lab 15, McKinley 0

Northeast 42, Tara 24

Bayou Area

Ascension Christian 35, Houma Christian 18

H.L. Bourgeois 41, Ellender 17

Vandebilt Catholic 49, Berwick 7

Central LA

Tioga 43, Buckeye 0

Bolton 54, Northwood Lena 8

Lafayette Area

Beau Chene 50, Pine Prairie 6

New Iberia 27, Westgate 25

Lake Charles/Sulphur area

Iowa 27, DeQuincy 6

Grand Lake 53, St. John 27

St. Louis Catholic 10, Kinder 7

Vinton 6, Vidor (Tex.) 0

Northeast LA/Monroe Area

St. Frederick 36, Beekman Charter 8

Madison 42, Lincoln Prep 7

Northwest LA/Shreveport Area

Byrd 35, Calvary Baptist 27

New Orleans Area

Albany 55, Springfield 25

Haynes 52, Ben Franklin 0

John Ehret 11, Carver 6

Newman 41, East Jefferson 0

Lutcher 54, Douglass 26

Booker T. Washington 41, McMain 10