John Stark football improves playoff chances with win against Manchester West

WEARE – With two games left in the regular season, the playoffs essentially started for the John Stark Regional High School football team entering Saturday afternoon’s must-win game against Manchester West.

The Generals did what they needed to do and are still alive for a postseason berth.

Senior running back Weston Haartz ran for 115 yards on 12 carries with a touchdown, while quarterback Joey Dykstra returned a fumble for a score on the defensive side of the ball during John Stark’s 13-0 Division II victory over the Blue Knights.

“It feels great to come together as a family and it was a big win for us,” Haartz said. “We knew we had to win this game to keep on playing together as seniors.’

John Stark (5-3) must now defeat ConVal (3-5) in next Saturday’s regular-season finale to qualify for the Division II playoffs. The Generals were in this position after their three-game winning streak was snapped in last week’s 19-14 loss to Bow (5-3).

“We discussed it all week how important this game was and we needed to win and how big of a game this was,” John Stark coach Ray Kershaw said. “They knew how good of a team Manchester West is and to not take them lightly.

The Generals held West to 84 rushing yards and intercepted quarterback Gio Doria three times.

“The kids played really hard,” Kershaw added. “To be able to shutout Manchester West is huge, it really is.”

West (5-3) should still qualify for its first playoff appearance since 2007 according to coach Andrew Provencher no matter what happens when the Blue Knights host Hanover (4-4) in Friday’s finale.

“We had too many self-inflicted mistakes and it was disappointing,” Provencher said. “The defense played very well and played hard all game. We just couldn’t capitalize on plays on offense.”

John Stark took over the ball after A.J. Bellen picked off Doria in the end zone, which led to a 76-yard touchdown run three plays later by Haartz to give John Stark a 7-0 lead with 9:47 left in the second quarter.

“I saw the open field, ran and never looked back,” Haartz said. “It felt great.”

After ripping up his ankle during the second game cost him the rest of his junior season, Haartz was determined to comeback and have a special final year playing for the Generals. He also hauled in a 25-yard reception in the third quarter while falling down near the sideline with two defenders draping him.

“Coming off the injury I’m getting my confidence back was great,” Haartz said. “I feel like I’m hitting a new gear and I’m ready to keep going.”

Kershaw had been thrilled with the progression Haartz has made in hitting the stride he has now.

“As the season has gone along, he’s been getting a little bit better,” Kershaw said. “He was a little hesitant in the beginning, but he’s been getting stronger.”

Dykstra highlighted John Stark’s defensive effort after he picked up Logan Paradis’ fumble and raced 17 yards into the end zone to give John Stark a 13-0 lead with 9:58 left in the third quarter.

“We made a lot of good tackles. Our D-line pushed them back and our linebackers and safeties made the tackles,” Dykstra said. “It was a big win for us, getting back on the winning train and hopefully it’ll carry through the rest of the season.”