With USC pledge Quinten Joyner running wild every week, Manor’s offense gets the headlines, but its defense might be the key to its success this year as it makes the jump to Class 6A.

Featuring a devastating front line led by end Princewill Umanmielen, who has scholarship offers from Power Five schools across the country, and athletes all over the back seven, including linebacker and Tulsa pledge Ike Esonwune, the Mustangs' defense might be one of the better unsung units in Central Texas.

Thursday at Kelly Reeves Athletic Complex, Manor’s defense put on a show as it forced seven punts, caused two turnovers on downs, forced a fumble and had an interception to help the Mustangs top McNeil 45-14 to win their first Class 6A district game in school history.

“We know our defense is our pride and joy — that’s our baby, and we’re going to rely on it,” Manor coach James Keller said. “Most of those guys have been playing together for three years, and our front three is phenomenal. I don’t think we really have a flaw on defense as our linebackers and secondary are also good.”

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For the most part, the Mustangs’ three-man front of Umanmielen, tackle Jayden Cofield (a Texas Tech pledge who has also received offers from Baylor, Houston and Arizona State) and end Curnilius Shepard contained McNeil’s ground attack, with Umanmielen and Shepard having lightning-quick steps off the edges while Cofield plugged the middle.

And with the defensive line taking up most of the attention of the Mavericks’ offensive line, that allowed players such as Esonwune to run to the ball or go after the quarterback in passing situations.

“This is a group that’s really locked in during the week in preparation,” said Esonwune, who also has received an offer from UNLV. “We watch a lot of film and know what formations (opponents) have run and what they haven’t. We put a lot of stuff into our defensive game plans and then go show it on the field.”

Before the Mavericks went on a late 69-yard touchdown drive with the outcome long decided, Manor had yielded fewer than 150 yards of offense, while also blocking a punt, and cornerback David Jeffery had come up with an impressive interception.

“The main thing about this defense is we all just have that dog mentality where everyone wants to hit people and win,”  Umanmielen said. “That’s really just all it is. We all want it, and we all want it bad. We’re happy to have one more season to play together.”

While Manor’s offense was slow out of the gate, its defense kept the Mustangs ahead in the field position battle most of the first half.

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A blocked punt gave Manor the ball at the McNeil 13, setting up Joyner’s 4-yard touchdown run.

Forcing the Mavericks to punt from deep in their own territory gave the Mustangs possession at the McNeil 35 midway through the second quarter, and Joyner burst through a hole in the left side of the line and down the visiting sideline for a 14-0 lead.

Though Manor (4-0, 1-0 District 25-6A) ended up with more than 450 yards of offense, McNeil’s defense played well in the first half and at times after the break, but it was on the field so much it eventually wore down.

And you can only keep Joyner contained for so long, as he ended with 211 yards and four touchdowns rushing.

“We still have some things we need to clean up, as I didn’t think we played that well on offense in the first half,” Keller said. “We have to get some things done before we face Vandegrift (Sept. 30), but I think we’re on the right path.”

DeCondre Jeffery’s 2-yard TD plunge put the Mustangs ahead 20-0 in the third quarter before the Mavericks got a long kick return from Kaleb Cooper that set up their first score.

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A few plays later, Cooper crossed the goal line from 25 yards out.

Manor answered with Quintaelyn Joyner’s 59-yard touchdown strike to Sean Harris, and the Mustangs put the game out of reach early in the fourth when the duo hooked up again, this time from the 26.

Quinten Joyner’s touchdown runs of 45 and 6 yards finished out Manor’s scoring.

Quintaelyn Joyner finished with 178 yards through the air and added 74 yards rushing. Harris ended with 116 yards receiving.

Cooper’s 67 yards and two TDs on the ground paced McNeil (2-2, 0-1).

“I’m happy to get the program’s first Class 6A district win, but as a coach you’re always looking at things you can improve on,” Keller said.

Manor’s defense will be tested — certainly by Round Rock, Vandegrift and Stony Point — in a brutal district with high-flying offenses and talented skill players all over, but it should keep the Mustangs in the hunt for a playoff spot.

“It’s kind of a dream playing on this defense,” Esonwune said. “The defensive line — their speed, strength and energy really opens up plays for others.”