From staff reports

The Callaway Cavaliers won their first game of the season in convincing fashion Friday night, overwhelming homestanding Manchester 37-6.

The Cavaliers (1-2) built a 30-0 halftime lead and cruised in their Region 5-AA opener.

Callaway won the region title a year ago on the way to a 10-2 season.

The win was much-appreciated by the Cavaliers, who opened with back-to-back losses to Troup and Lovett.

“We had a great week of practice,” Callaway head coach Pete Wiggins said. “The kids, they were hungry for a win. We didn’t make the mistakes that cost us the last two weeks.”

In the first half, quarterback Quan Bray and wide receiver Quantavious Leslie did most of the damage.

Bray opened the scoring with an 18-yard touchdown run, and he later found Leslie for a 54-yard touchdown.

Leslie later showed off his versatility by returning an interception 30 yards for a touchdown.

Bray added to the scoring onslaught with an 8-yard scoring run, and Josh Ham completed the first-half scoring with a field goal.

In the second half, after Manchester scored to make it a 30-6 game, Marquis Terrell scored on a 26-yard run.

“It was a big win against a team with a lot of tradition,” Wiggins said. “Our kids are excited.”

Callaway will try to improve to 2-0 in region play when it hosts Spencer on Thursday.