NORTH MANCHESTER – Whitko’s bid for a second straight football win went by the boards Friday night.

The Wildcats were stymied in dropping a 13-10 final at Manchester in a Three Rivers Conference contest.

A five-yard touchdown run by quarterback Jim Sainsbury in the final quarter lifted the host Squires to their first win of the season.

Whitko, which drops to 1-3 overall and 1-1 in the TRC, managed just four first downs and 129 yards of total offense.

Manchester, now 1-3 and 1-1, took a 7-0 lead on a four-yard touchdown run by Jacob Casper. The sophomore running back led the Squires with 19 rushes for 92 yards.

The Wildcats, who beat the Squires 34-0 last year,  took a 10-7 halftime lead. Quarterback Alex Stoddard raced 38 yards for a touchdown and Jake Nissley booted through a 38-yard field goal.

Stoddard was just 2-7 passing for 23 yards in the loss. Devin Gerding rushed for 49 yards on 10 carries and Tanner Hughes had 28 on eight for Whitko. Both of the Whitko running backs had over 100 yards a week ago in a 42-20 win over Southwood.

Whitko hosts Wabash next Friday night.   Manchester plays at North Miami.