By JIM WALKER

Tribune Sports Editor

MANCHESTER — The Green Bobcats like being in charge.

The Bobcats’ offense was in control almost the entire game as they beat the Manchester Greyhounds 28-8 on Friday in the season opener for both teams.

“We controlled the clock and we controlled the game,” said Green coach Dan McDavid. “We shot ourselves in the foot a few times with key penalties at the wrong time. We have to correct that.”

The Bobcats relied on their backfield depth to run 50 times for 259 yards. Rob Applegate had 78 yards on 14 carries with a touchdown to lead a balanced attack. Levi Mollett ran nine times for 59 yards and a score while quarterback Cody Bruce added 57 yards on eight carries filling in for injured starter Steve Blanton.

Green’s defense actually jumpstarted the offense with a goal line stand at the 1-yard line. The Bobcats then went on a 99-yard, 19-play time-consuming drive capped by Applegate’s 3-yard run with 5:31 left in the half.

Mike Avery kicked the conversion and it was 7-0.

“We didn’t play well. We stopped them on the 1-yard line and that probably turned the game,” said McDavid. “And I thought Cody (Bruce) did a good job running the team.”

The Bobcats took over the game in the third quarter with a 21-point outburst.

A 60-yard, 14-play drive culminated with Avery running 3 yards for the score and it was 14-0.

Eight seconds later, Steve Ratcliff intercepted a pass and returned it 45 yards for his first career touchdown and it was 21-0.

The final touchdown came on a 24-yard scamper by Mollett to cap a 48-yard, 6-play drive with no time on the clock.

Manchester avoided the shutout on a 22-yard run by Dalton West with 44 seconds to play.

Green 0 7 21 0 = 28

Manchester 0 0 0 8 = 8

Second Quarter

Gr — Rob Applegate 3 run (Mike Avery kick) 5:31

Third Quarter

Gr — Mike Avery 3 run (Mike Avery kick) 4:43

Gr — Steve Ratcliff 45 interception return (Mike Avery kick) 4:35

Gr — Levi Mollett 24 run (Mike Avery kick) 0:00

Fourth Quarter

Man — Dalton West 22 run (Ian Gulley run) 0:44

Gr Man

First downs 14 4

Rushes-yards 50-259 24-71

Passing yards 21 107

Total yards 280 178

Cmp-Att-Int 2-7-1 5-15-1

Fumbles-lost 2-0 2-0

Punts-average 2-32.5 5-37.0

Penalties-yards 4-25 6-60

Individual Leaders

RUSHING—Green: Rob Applegate 14-78, Cody Bruce 8-57, Levi Mollett 9-59, Mike Avery 10-31, Kyle Frazier 3-15, Clay Applegate 6-14.

PASSING—Green: Cody Bruce 2-7-1 21.