By Matt Stout
Staff Writer

Central’s Mike LeClerc eludes a tackle during the Little Green’s 41-27 win over Salem on Friday, Oct. 27. Thanks to LeClerc’s 157 rushing yards, Central clinched the No. 2 seed and a home game in the Division I playoffs. (Hooksett Banner/Matt Stout)

Following a disappointing last-minute loss to Manchester Memorial last week, the Central High football squad rebounded against another Queen City foe ­ Manchester West ­ on Friday, Oct. 20.

After losing their first two Division I games, the Blue Knights rattled off four wins in as many games before losing to the visiting Little Green in overtime, 13-7.

Fans filled the bleachers at West’s Memorial Field to watch both squads compete for a spot in the looming four-team postseason.

The defenses dominated. Both units compiled 10 three-and-outs, three fumbles and three turnovers-on-downs. Central’s defense remained consistent on West’s first possession in overtime, holding the Blue Knights scoreless.

The Little Green offense took over, scoring on its first play from scrimmage, a 10-yard touchdown run from Mike LeClerc. The winning touchdown marked LeClerc’s second of the game; the junior running back scored in the second quarter for a 7-0 Central lead.

“Tonight was all about our defense,” said Little Green head coach Ryan Ray. “The defense did everything possible to shut them out. West is a hard-nosed football team, and we got an immense game from the defense.”

Indeed, the Central offense had a rough night.

A botched punt, followed by a personal-foul penalty, gave West the ball at the Little Green 9-yard line with little more than two minutes to play.

With 1:51 remaining and the Blue Knights poised to score, the Little Green recovered a fumble on the 1-yard line to force the game into overtime.

Despite LeClerc’s touchdown run, which clinched Central’s victory ­ and its eighth consecutive playoff berth ­ Ray maintained his defense deserved the credit.

“They [the Blue Knights] had four plays from the 10 and we backed ’em up every time,” said Ray. “That last play was almost meaningless compared to the effort the defense put up for over four quarters.”

The win improved Central to 6-2 in Division I, while dropping West to 4-3 in D-I.

Central is at Salem on Friday, Oct. 27, and wraps up its regular season on Saturday, Nov. 4, at Division II Bishop Guertin in Nashua.