After losing 17 starters from last season’s 7-3 squad, expectations for Manchester (Midlothian, VA) were tempered this season. But the Lancers, winners of three straight including key victories over district foes L.C. Bird and Clover Hill, now hold a 3-2 overall record and are undefeated in the Dominion District.

“The kids are really kind of rallying around each other, working hard each week,” said Lancers head coach Tom Hall , who lost 34 seniors in total from the 2010 team. “We don’t ask them to go out there and win. We ask them to go out there and make the guys around them better.”

Prospect-wise, Manchester is led by three junior offensive linemen: 6’5″, 270-pound guard Darius Garcia , 6’6″, 275-pound tackle Zach Goins (brother of 2011 VT signee Jake Goins ), and 6’5″, 225-pound tackle Josh Patterson.

“I feel the offensive line is the backbone of our team,” Hall said. “I feel all five will play college football. I think we have three legit D1 players in Darius Garcia , Zach Goins, and Josh Patterson. This is all their first year starting. They are finally getting the opportunity and they are playing very well.”

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