Mack Beasley's 5 TDs lifts Manitowoc Lincoln football to homecoming rout of Green Bay East

MANITOWOC — Celebrating homecoming for the 100th anniversary of Manitowoc Lincoln, the Ships football team's win on Saturday over the Green Bay East Red Devils almost had the feeling of a Hollywood script.

Manitowoc Lincoln sophomore Jack Bauer catching a touchdown pass in the fourth quarter, from 24 yards no less, was a bit on the nose from the script writers on loan from the NFL.

The completely coincidental nod to the early 2000s FOX drama headlined by Kiefer Sutherland aside, the Ships could hardly have asked for a better outcome with the 51-12 victory.

Ships coach Greg Enz talked about the importance and challenges homecoming can bring.

“You can tell its a little bit more like Christmas,” Enz said. “We were a little squirrely but we came out fast and established ourselves.”

Lincoln certainly established itself, leading 28-0 at the end of the first quarter and 44-0 at halftime. It was the type of performance senior linebacker Gavin Lettenberger says the Ships needed.

“Last couple weeks we’ve come out slow so this week we came out with a bang,” Lettenberger said. “I think the last couple weeks we really under-performed, some games we should have won, so this felt good.”

Lettenberger had a pair of sacks in the contest, including one for a safety to begin the second quarter.

“Me and the other linebackers had open gaps and we took advantage,” Lettenberger said.

For Enz, it was an example of a team leader putting in all the work behind the scenes and shining on gameday.

“The thing with Gavin is he’s a hard-nosed player that wants to get success not just for himself but for the team,” Enz said. “He’s a great leader, does so many good things throughout the week.”

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He wasn’t the only senior to have a huge game as running back Mack Beasley scored five touchdowns, including four on the ground.

East was prepared for the Ships passing attack and made a conscious effort to contain it by playing just seven players in the box. With that in mind, Enz said a heavy dose of Beasley and the run game was crucial to the team’s success.

“We have to be able to establish that,” Enz said of the run game. “As much as you want to throw the ball 50 times a game, if they’re going to structurally set themselves up to let you run you have to take advantage.”

And while Lincoln might not make the playoffs this season, sitting at 3-5 overall and 2-4 in the Fox River Classic Conference, Beasley was adamant the players were ready on Saturday.

“I know our record isn’t great but its homecoming man, we got to play our hearts out,” Beasley said.

Saturday was the type of game Enz feels his players will remember decades from now.

“If there’s a game any senior or any kid is going to remember its their homecoming game,” Enz said. “Your homecoming game really resonates 30, 40 years down the line.”

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Plus, having the younger players getting an entire second half will only help the Ships when the current seniors come back as alumni next season and beyond.

“You don’t get better as a program by having sophomores sitting on the bench,” Enz said. “I can say unequivocally we’re making progress.”

Contact Tom Dombeck at 920-686-2965 or tdombeck@htrnews.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @Tom_Dombeck.

This article originally appeared on Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter: Manitowoc Lincoln blows past Green Bay East in homecoming rout