Wolves: No Messing around
Roger Brown
nhfootballreport.com
If Jason Messing felt uncomfortable in the Manchester Wolves' offense Friday night, his performance didn't show it.
Messing, a wide receiver who joined the Wolves earlier this week, caught a game-high seven passes for 97 yards and three touchdowns as Manchester extended its winning streak to three games with a 69-33 victory over the Tri-Cities Fever at the Verizon Wireless Arena.
"I pretty much learned the whole offense," Messing said. "I was a little jumbled at the beginning of the week because we had some injuries and I wasn't sure what position I'd be playing. Another week and I should be fine."
"Messing showed he can catch the ball," added Manchester coach Danton Barto. "He's a good player. He'll help us."
Messing began the season with defending ArenaCup champion Tennesse Valley, but was reassigned after he grew frustrated with his role on that team. He began his college career at the University of Tennessee, but transferred to Division II North Alabama in 2004.
"Coach Barto called me and told me they needed an explosive guy," Messing said. "That's what we're missing on offense."
Manchester quarterback James Pinkney completed 20-of-27 pass attempts for 265 yards and eight touchdowns in the victory. He was intercepted once.
The Wolves, who improved their record to 3-1, led 21-0 after one quarter and 42-6 at halftime.
"It was a good win for us," Barto said. "We were kind of beat up coming up to this game. You get a little worried as a coach."
Tri-Cities, which flew in from Washington state on Thursday, dropped to 0-5. The Fever has been outscored 310-152 this season.
Tri-Cities quarterback Jimmy Collins was intercepted three times in his first professional start. Collins completed 19-of-36 passes for 238 yards. He threw for two touchdowns and ran for another.
Tri-Cities didn't have a first down in the first quarter, despite having the ball for 9:26 of the opening 15 minutes.
The Wolves received three touchdown catches from Steven Savoy, and two TD catches from Emery Sammons. Sammons had a game-high 102 yards receiving.
Manchester will play at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Friday. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton beat Manchester 59-28 in the opening game for each team.
"Wilkes-Barre is the barometer," Barto said. "It's always a good measuring stick up there.
"I'm happy. We're playing decent football."
