5 players who led Manual football to win over Cincinnati La Salle, best start since 2016

Year 1 is off to a bang for first-year Manual coach Donnie Stoner.

After cruising to four-straight wins, the Crimsons passed their toughest test of the season Friday night, beating Ohio powerhouse Cincinnati La Salle 20-16.

The win gave the Crimsons their first 5-0 start since 2016, and gave Stoner one of the biggest smiles in all of Manual Stadium.

"We talked about all week how we wanted to get our lick back," Stoner said. "Tonight we did that. La Salle's a great football team, and every week and week out it's got to be the same exact thing."

Manual's win over La Salle was especially sweet following last season's 28-24 loss to the Lancers. It wasn't pretty, though. The Crimsons will have to buff out some issues before next week's showdown against undefeated Ballard (5-0) but showed their offense, defense and special teams can step up when called upon.

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Here are five players who made an impact in Manual's win and 5-0 start to the season:

Tyree Stoner

Tyree Stoner's freshman season has been a trial by fire. He was the backup behind Elijah Creech to start the season, and his first taste of high school football was supposed to take place at the JV level. But after Creech broke his collarbone in Week 3, Stoner was thrust into the starting spot.

Stoner has flashed his potential in the Crimsons' blowout win over Valley last week. On Friday, he had to showcase his toughness. Stoner was sacked five times and was not sharp. Passes got away from him and his timing with his receivers still needs work.

"Everybody's with me every step of the way," Tyree Stoner said. "They're encouraging me every time I come off the field, they're encouraging me when I'm on the field. They're encouraging me right before the snap. Man, I love this team."

But where Stoner shined was in his ability to move on to the next play. Despite being a freshman, Stoner played with poise and control. He didn't turn the ball over and he trusted his teammates.

"We challenged him," Donnie Stoner said. "We told him what this life would be like and what Class 6A football's going to be about, and it was either grow up and jump off the porch or move on to the next guy. But he's done a phenomenal job.

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Zah'Ron Washburn

Manual's offense will go as far as Zah'Ron Washburn's legs will take them. Ever since he scored four touchdowns in Manual's season opener against Central, Washburn has been the Crimsons' go-to-guy. On Friday, the senior struggled to find the end zone despite ripping off several long gains.

La Salle was only to hold Washburn for so long, though. Down by three with eight minutes to go, Washburn darted up the middle and broke through the Lancers second line before scurrying for the 47-yard go-ahead score.

"Breaking that 47-yarder felt really good," Washburn said. "We were going through a lot of adversity, but we finally got something and made it work."

Washburn's ability to make plays against defenses keyed on him will be key as Tyree Stoner becomes more comfortable with the offense.

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Jeremiah Blakely

Manual's offense was in a rut before Jeremiah Blakely gave it a jolt at the top of the second quarter. After running a short comeback route, Blakely snagged a Stoner bullet across his body before making a man miss and racing 60 yards down the sideline for the score.

Once Blakely found space, nobody on the Lancers roster would've had a chance at catching him. Blakely's touchdown was the Crimson's most explosive play of the half. What should've been just a simple pitch-and-catch for a few yards exploded into a game-breaking play.

Last season, Blakely finished second on the team in receiving yards (247) and third in receptions (16). He's got big-play ability that could prove valuable for Tyree Stoner.

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Julian Wallace

You have to have a special edge to be a great cornerback, and senior cornerback Julian Wallace has it. On the Lancers' first drive of the game, Wallace came up with a big-time pass breakup to keep La Salle out of the end zone. The following drive he'd do it again, this time picking off La Salle quarterback Mason Mattingly.

Wallace, like the majority of Manual's defense, plays with grit. He's one of the hardest-hitting players on the team and showed several times Friday why he's a valuable member to the Crimsons' secondary.

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Beni Tshita

Manual's Beni Tshita is a force. On the first La Salle drive, the senior defensive end broke the line untouched and blocked La Salle's field goal with ease. He made easy work of La Salle's line for most of the evening. Whether it was quarterback hurries or just getting in the backfield and causing a ruckus, Tshita made his mark all night.

"We always depend on our defense, and those guys came through for us," Donnie Stoner said. "We were struggling offensively to begin, but our defense stepped up, and yes, they had some hiccups, but when it really came down to it those guys played really well in the trenches."

DuPont Manual 0 13 0 7 20

Cincinnati La Salle 0 9 7 0 16

Second quarter

LSL – Mason Luensman 30-yard field goal

MAN- Jeremiah Blakely 66-yard reception from Tyree Stoner (Parker Friedman kick)

LSL- Zander Bernecker 28-yard reception from Mason Mattingly (PAT no good)

MAN – Parker Friedman 32-yard field goal

MAN- Parker Friedman 28-yard field goal

Third quarter

LSL – Mason Mattingly 5-yard rush (Luensman kick)

Fourth quarter

MAN- ZahRon Washburn 47-yard rush (Friedman kick)

Records: Manual (5-0), La Salle (2-3)

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: KHSAA football: Manual beats Cincinnati La Salle football to start 5-0