ports Manatee vs. Miramar Showcased on ESPN2 Sunday

Manatee Head Coach Joe Kinnan photo by Dennis Maley

BRADENTON – The number one-ranked Manatee Hurricanes will host Miramar in a special Sunday game at Hawkins Stadium to benefit the Wounded Warrior Foundation. The Hurricanes looked extremely impressive in their 49-14 route of Osceola in last Friday's Kickoff Classic, a preseason game that doesn't count on either team's record.

Starting this week, however, every game will have championship implications as the 'Canes not only look toward a 6th state title winning the 6A crown, but their first national high school football championship. Coach Kinnan's boys came into the season having earned the number one national ranking from Maxpreps.com, the top prep sports website in the nation. They're also ranked third by USA Today, who pioneered the national high school ranking system, and also occupy the number three spot on ESPN's top 25.

They'll have no easy outing with Miramar, however, who was 13-1 last season, losing only to Tampa Plant in the 8A state finals. Manatee will face USA Today's number one ranked team, Miami Central, in week 3, who bring back a tough team after losing only to national powerhouse Seffner Armwood in the 6A state title game, also at Hawkins field, in a game that will make or break their national title hopes.