Telegraph photo by TOM KING Souhegan;s Luke Manning has been a record-setting receiver for the Sabers during his career.

AMHERST – Quarterback? Receiver?

Who cares?

As long as Luke Manning is helping the Souhegan High School football team win games, he’d play center.

“I love it, honestly,” Manning said. “I think I couldn’t have asked much more of my senior year. And the way we’re finishing – I just want to win. No matter what position I’m playing, I just want to win. The fact we’re doing it this year, that’s the best feeling.”

Manning, you see, was looked at going into his junior season as the Sabers quarterback of likely the next two season. But that was after he rewrote the school’s record books as a sophomore receiver, and before the sudden arrival from California of a kid named Austin Jain.

The end result: After splitting time with Jain, the Sabers figured they’d lose a good receiver to gain a good quarterback. But keeping Manning as a wideout and Jain as QB, they’d gain in both areas.

Hence, as Manning alluded, an unbeaten record (7-0) and a berth in Saturday’s Division II title game vs. Plymouth at Saber Field.

“He’s just a another solid athlete you can put in a bunch of different places,” Sabers coach Robin Bowkett said. “He was our freshman and JV quarterback, did a great job. He’s like having another coach on the field, knows our offense in and out, knows what everyone’s supposed to do.”

As a sophomore, the Sabers used Manning as a receiver and then he had his record-breaking season. A couple of injures left a void at the receiver spot during last season.

So….

“How do we get our best guys on the field?” Bowkett said. “It wasn’t because Luke couldn’t play quarterback, because he absolutely can. And he brings you a different element with is feet.

“But we knew he was going to be deadly for us on the perimeter, and he was.”

“We had a little bit of a tough time last year when we got in the playoffs (loss to Bow),” Manning said. “But it kind of smoothed out nicely this year.”

Manning had a shoulder injury at the start of the year and told Bowkett to put him anywhere. So he stayed as a receiver, leading the team in receptions, yards and TD catches.

What does Manning like about being a receiver? The answer may surprise you.

“I love a lot of it,” he said. “But one of the things I mainly like that’s overlooked is the stock blocking. It’s overlooked, but that’s one of my favorite parts.”

As a quarterback, Manning was happy, too.

“You’re kind of the leader on the field,” he said. “You’re the guy that’s kind of orchestrating the offense. It’s definitely fun.”

But the connection with he and Jain is unmistakable. The two put a lot of work in together over the summer.

“Just to kind of build up our chemistry,” Manning said, saying that when Jain would work out with local QB guru Trevor Knight, he would tag along as his receiver. It’s paid off.

He also plays defensive back, especially against teams that pass a lot, and has two interceptions this season. “It helps me out when I play receiver,” he said, adding he’d like to play in college and study business.

“Just a phenomenal athlete and he’s grown so much,” Bowkett said. “I can see him being a coach some day. He’s matured a bunch in the last four years. I’m super proud of that kid and the way he’s grown, and he’s been a great captain for us as well.”

Manning has been playing football since he was in kindergarten, a longtime Amherst Patriot youth team player.

“Playing for the Amherst Patriots, me and my friends, we had been talking about coming to Souhegan and winning a state title,” Manning said. “And now we have a shot to do it.”

Thanks in great part to Manning. After today, he knows what position he’d love to play at the next level.

“Receiver,” he said.

And winner.

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