By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

Opponents never got to see the full version of Lucas Manderbach in 2023.

He was a standout defensively (9 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, 48 tackles), but his offensive production was stunted by the fact that he shared the backfield with another talented runner in Enzo Catania, who received the bulk of the carries.

Opponents sure are seeing a lot of Manderbach now.

Aurora running back Lucas Manderbach tries to pull out of a tackle attempt by Tallmadge’s Sonny Cuva during Friday’s game in Aurora.
Paisley Nader/Portage Sports

With a running style that blends physicality and speed, Manderbach has been a leading piece in Aurora’s impressive start this season, which continued down an undefeated path on Friday with a dominating Homecoming Game victory, 45-14, over Tallmadge.

The Greenmen, who are ranked No. 7 in Division III in the latest Associated Press state poll, are now 7-0 overall and 4-0 in Suburban League play.

On Friday, Manderbach rushed only 11 times, but the attempts went for 88 yards and two touchdowns. Almost all of his work was done in the first half, with only one rushing attempt coming in the second half. He scored on runs of 38 and 6 — both coming in the first quarter.

“Lucas has found his confidence as a running back this year,” veteran head coach Bob Mihalik said. “Even last year, we knew that he was a good runner for us, but with another great runner in Enzo Catania, we felt that Lucas gave last year’s team so much value in what he could do on defense. Now, his role has expanded on offense, but he is still so valuable on defense, too. He is a difference maker, that’s for sure.”

He hasn’t been the only one, and he had plenty of help on Friday again, starting with the first touchdown.

After Aurora received the kickoff and pounded three runs, they took a chance down the field that turned into a 40-yard touchdown throw from Ryan Dwyer to Quincy John on a beautiful connection.

Dwyer’s throw found space in the center of the field that John had to sprint the final 15 yards of his route to get under and only did because of a lunging effort that allowed him to scoop his hands under the ball, then pulled the ball to his body as his momentum rolled him up and over.

Aurora’s Mason Romancak is wrapped upon a second-half run by a Tallmadge defensive lineman.
Paisley Nader/Portage Sports

Colin Dockman booted the extra point and Aurora had its early 7-0 lead. It was temporary, though, but only because it soon went to 14-0, then again 21-0 on back-to-back runs by Manderbach.

The first of the senior’s rushing touchdowns saw him take an inside handoff, burst through the line of scrimmage into open space, then immediately shifted to a new gear that allowed him to outrun everyone to the end zone.

“I realized there wasn’t anybody left to try to run through, so I just took off,” said Manderbach, who was timed at 4.58 in a 40-yard dash at a camp held at Youngstown State University.

A 17-point second quarter, which included a 27-yard field goal from Dockman, a 10-yard pass from Dwyer to Ben Lukasik and a 1-yard run from Tommy Tartabini, extended Aurora’s big lead to 38-0 by halftime to set up a running clock for the second half.

It all followed a similar script to what Aurora has experienced throughout the season. Race out to a big, seemingly insurmountable lead, in the first half, then transition to the backups in the second half to close out the game.

Aurora’s defense has yet to give up more than two scores in a game. With Aurora’s offense humming along, the team has now outscored its opponents 331-49.

It has not happened by accident, though.

The team’s tone for hard work was set during the off-season and it has been maintained throughout the regular season’s first seven weeks.

Aurora defensive back Josh Harrell tackles a Tallmadge ball-carrier during the first half of Friday’s game in Aurora. Harrell was a dominant player defensively in the game’s first two quarters.
Paisley Nader/Portage Sports

“Our guys have earned everything every week,” Mihalik said. “They worked so hard in the off-season, and they continue to work hard. For us coaches, it is just a great thing to see, because this group is such a great group of young men to be around. We are 7-0, but even if we were 4-3 right now, we would still be having a good time because of how special this group is. They work hard, they play hard, they get along with others so well. There are no egos. They are genuinely happy when one of their teammates scores or does something well. It is really a special group, and they are giving us a special year.”

Aurora’s run game was boosted by another nice game from Xavier Board, who totaled 98 yards on 12 carries and scored on a 46-yard run in the fourth quarter that closed out Aurora’s scoring for the game.

Dwyer’s final line was an efficient 9-of-13 for 119 yards and two touchdowns.

Tallmadge’s offense was held to 20 yards rushing for the game, while the Blue Devils’ passing game emerged in the second half. Quarterback Ryan Loveless had 152 yards through the air and a pair of touchdowns.