Helena High head coach Dane Broadhead is running out of ways to describe wide receiver Manu Melo. But after the way the junior performed in the 34-7 win for the Bengals over Kalispell Flathead, he’ll have to keep trying.
“He just makes plays,” Broadhead said. “He just sees the field so well. I mean credit to the offensive line blocking for him and Carter for getting him a good ball, but he’s electric with the ball in his hands. He’s a special kid.”
On the field this season, he’s been more than special — try unstoppable. The junior entered Friday with 12 total touchdowns this season and on Friday at Vigilante Stadium against Flathead, he scored three more.
The first was a Melo special, which means a big play.
Flathead actually grabbed the lead first on a 42-yard touchdown pass from Jackson Walker to Jaden Williams, giving the Braves a 7-0 advantage.
Yet, it turned out to be their only lead of the night and it didn’t last long. Tevin Wetzel scored on a two-yard run to tie the game a few minutes later in the opening stanza. And on the first play of the second quarter, with the score tied 7-7, Wetzel found the end zone again, this time on a 14-yard reception from Carter Kraft.
However, the game didn’t really break open until Melo made his first big play, which was an 82-yard touchdown catch at the 7:13 mark of the second quarter.
Carter Kraft to Manu Melo. 82-yard touchdown! 20-7 Bengals. Melo’s 13th TD. Perfect ball too. Right in stride. 7:13 2Q Helena leads. #mtscores pi
