Wade leads Manchester Central football past Bedford and into playoffs

BEDFORD – Jesiah Wade rushed for over 200 yards and scored both touchdowns for the Manchester Central High School football team on Friday to lead the Little Green to a 20-16 win over Bedford.

The win is the seventh in a row for Central (7-2) and gave the team a spot in the Division I North Conference championship game, which will take place next Saturday against Concord. The loss ended the season for Bedford (7-2).

Wade had 217 yards on 42 carriers and scored on runs of 18 and 35 yards, respectively. Central wore down Bedford’s defense, converting 12 of 23 third or fourth downs while possessing the ball for 29:59 of the game.

Keegan Laberge had field goals of 23 and 37 yards, the second of which gave Central a 13-10 lead with 6:23 left in the fourth quarter. Quarterback Richie Greely was 19 of 36 passing for 132 yards and two interceptions, and he also lost a fumble.

But Bedford’s Dan Colella was just 9 of 17 passing for 99 yards and a touchdown, but the senior quarterback also turned the ball over four times, three of which came on interceptions. Michael Vailas scored on a 43-yard run on the Bulldogs’ first play and Colella hit Nate Jaeger for a 13-yard touchdown on Bedford’s final play. Keelan McCoole also kicked a 26-yard field goal.