Manatee County High School Football Scores

Lakewood Ranch's Mac Hathaway turns the corner. Page Moore Photo 941.518.4600

MANATEE COUNTY – Venice caught the Manatee defense cold, literally and figuratively, driving 80 yards on their opening possession to take an early 7-0 lead. Fortunately, the 'Canes defense woke up and spent the rest of the evening stuffing the Indian attack. QB Grant Flessner was game, but LB Darius White was Mr. Everywhere, materializing wherever the ball happened to be and squashing the Venice O.

 

RB Leon Allen was once again back to top form, nimbly weaving between a Venice defense that was just too slow for the explosive Hurricane attack. The scoring was spread out with Allen, Sandberg, Lauro and Taylor all getting in on the action, as the 'Canes notched a 52-19 win. Manatee (5-2) has now outscored their in-state opponents 180-31 in five games.

 

Palmetto struggled with a tough Hardee County squad, but was able to come from behind to pull off the 16-13 victory to improve to 7-0 in one of their best seasons in years. It came down to a 49-yard field goal by Zane Kitchell, his third of the night. The win sets up a big showdown at home against the 'Canes next week, but the Tigers will need to step it up a notch, as they'll be facing a significantly tougher squad than even 6-1 Hardee showed them.

Manatee's Leon Allen breaks loose Page Moore Photo 941.518.4600

 

Lakewood Ranch's offense exploded for 35 points on Dixie Hollins to keep their title hopes alive with a 35-21 win. Southeast had an easy time, as expected, pounding a rebuilding Bayshore team 34-7. They'll play Palmetto in two weeks in a match up that will likely decide the District 10 5A champ. Braden River bounced back for a 26-11 win over Sarasota.

 

This Week's Results

Manatee 52 Venice 13 (preview)

Palmetto 16 Hardee 13

Southeast 34 Bayshore 7

Lakewood Ranch 35 Dixie Hollins 21

Braden River 26 Sarasota 11

Admiral Farragut 38 Bradenton Christian 22