Manchester stands in the way of repeat title

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By Dan Schumerth, November 7, 2008

The Grizzlies play Manchester College on Saturday for a shot at the HCAC title.
 

The Grizzlies’ 7-1 record (5-0 HCAC) has earned them the top spot in the conference, as well as a 22nd national ranking, according to D3football.com. The Spartans are tied for fifth place in the conference (4-4, 2-3 HCAC).
 

A Grizzly win means at least a piece of the HCAC Championship, as well as the conference’s automatic bid to the playoffs. It would be the Grizzlies’ second playoff appearance in a row. If Franklin gets the win and Anderson upsets Rose-Hulman, the Grizzlies are guaranteed the title outright, along with a playoff berth.
 

The Spartans have yet to beat the Grizzlies since the HCAC was founded in 1998. Franklin leads the all-time series with Manchester, 29-20-1. The Grizzlies won 31-15 on the road in 2006 and 52-33 at home last season.
 

The Grizzly offense is led by senior quarterback Chad Rupp, who is 175-of-270 on the season for 2,420 yards and 26 touchdowns. He has thrown just seven interceptions. Rupp, the record-holder for career touchdowns thrown, is now third in both career pass completions and passing yards with 597 and 8,045, respectively.
 

Seniors Tony Gregory and Kevin Lynch lead the Grizzlies in receiving with five and six touchdowns, respectively.

Senior Jon-Erik Bennett leads the Grizzly ground attack. He averages 47.1 yards per game with six touchdowns.
 

Junior quarterback Caleb Grimes anchors the Spartan offense. He has thrown for 1,452 yards and 10 touchdowns this season. Like Rupp, Grimes has thrown seven interceptions.

Fellow junior Brandon Wells leads the Spartans on the ground with 764 yards and 11 touchdowns on 177 carries. Wells averages 95.5 rushing yard per game. He also leads the team in scoring.