The Hawks entered the game without four starters. A fifth, tight end/safety/punter Dan Sherry, did not return after suffering a shoulder injury in the first half.
"We were missing a few guys," Mancini said. "But we didn't want to make any excuses. We wanted to come out and take care of business."
The 5-foot-10, 185-pound Mancini posted six solo tackles and a third-quarter fumble recovery to lead a Prep defense that forced four turnovers. He switched to linebacker after playing nose guard last season.
"What I love about him is his motor," Hawks coach Gabe Infante said. "He has an incredible motor. He plays hard all the time."
Mancini's brother, Bill, was a defensive end for Prep and is now a sophomore starter at that position for Susquehanna University. "He taught me a lot about football, especially when it comes to working hard," Dan Mancini said.
In rebounding from two straight setbacks, the Hawks (4-2 overall, 1-1 league) held host Ryan (3-3, 0-1) to 12 yards rushing and 83 passing through three quarters.
The Prep linebacking corps consists of Mancini and fellow senior captains Eric Medes (five solo stops, forced fumble) and Peter Siki. "I think we complement each other pretty well," Mancini said. "We feed off each other's strengths."
Overcoming two early fumbles, the Hawks went in front, 7-3, late in the first quarter on a 2-yard dive off left tackle by Medes.
Late in the second, after Kyle Battin kicked a 24-yard field goal, an interception by freshman cornerback John Reid set up Skyler Mornhinweg's 10-yard scoring strike across the middle to Medes.
In a no-huddle attack, Mornhinweg, who connected with wideouts Jim Hurley and Jawan McAllister for third-quarter scores, completed 11 of 18 passes for 147 yards. The Penn State recruit also gained 120 yards on 15 carries.
"The no-huddle wasn't the problem," Ryan coach Frank McArdle said. "We had too many breakdowns on defense. We didn't execute what we had practiced all week."
James Udovich, a 6-2, 265-pound senior, filled in for Franny Grey (dislocated kneecap) at center and received a game ball from Infante.
"In our offense, the center is just as important as the quarterback," the coach said.
Raiders QB Mike Anusky, under heavy pressure, converted 13 of 21 throws for 132 yards.
St. Joseph's Prep 7 9 15 0 – 31
Archbishop Ryan 3 0 0 0 – 3
AR: FG Martinez 33
SJP: Medes 2 run (Battin kick)
SJP: FG Battin 24
SJP: Medes 10 pass from Mornhinweg (pass failed)
SJP: Hurley 22 pass from Mornhinweg (Williams pass from Mornhinweg)
SJP: McAllister 31 pass from Mornhinweg (Battin kick)
Contact staff writer Rick O'Brien at 610-313-8019, robrien@phillynews.com, or @ozoneinq on Twitter. Read his blog, "The O'Zone," at www.philly.com/ozone.
