All wondering what
Arch Manning would do for an encore received a clear and emphatic answer Thursday night. The 2019 MaxPreps Freshman of the Year and nephew of Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks Peyton and Eli Manning threw a 70-yard touchdown on his first completion and accounted for six scores in leading
Newman (New Orleans) to a resounding 41-0 win at
East Jefferson (Metairie).
Manning and Newman were opening their 2020 campaign with Louisiana one of three states – Arizona and New Jersey being the others – set to launch delayed seasons due to the pandemic this weekend.
After his team's first four possessions, the 6-foot-3, 195-pound sophomore was 9 of 11 for 176 yards and four touchdowns. Any concerns that Manning would rest on his terrific freshman season — not that there were any — were quickly put to rest.
He added a touchdown pass and run in the second half as the Greenies forced a running clock by the fourth quarter.
After almost throwing an interception on his first pass, Manning completed a 70-yard touchdown bomb to
A.J. Johnson, giving the Greenies a 7-0 lead.
Arch Manning threw touchdown passes on each of Newman's first four possessions during its opener at East Jefferson.
Photo by Parker Waters
The two connected again for a score a few minutes later when Manning rolled to his left and against his body's momentum, fired a 30-yard strike to the back of the end zone, where Johnson made a terrific diving catch. Newman and Manning were on their way.
As a freshman, Manning completed 65 percent of his passes (204 of
316) for 2,509 yards and 34 touchdowns against six interceptions as the
Greenies finished 9-2. One of those wins was a 38-14 home win over East Jefferson when Manning threw for 221 yards and five touchdowns.
Manning celebrates his first touchdown pass of the 2020 season.
Photo by Parker Waters
Newman lost a second-round playoff game and then 25 seniors to graduation, including its top two receiving threats. With COVID-19 putting a big dent in offseason workouts and practice, there were concerns Manning and his new receiving corp might be a bit off.
Apparently not.
Manning added an inch in height and more than 20 pounds of strength during the off season. In its initial rankings of 2023 recruits, 247Sports made Manning the No. 5 prospect overall in the country and No. 1 quarterback.
Manning threw five touchdown passes - including four in the first half.
Photo by Parker Waters
Manning looks to the sideline for a play call.
Photo by Parker Waters
