A weather delay coupled with two early turnovers were the only things that attempted to thwart Manatee’s unbeaten start to the 2023 season on Friday night.
The Hurricanes shook off two early interceptions with their unrelenting defense and big plays on offense to roll past Lakewood Ranch, 52-6.
The victory puts Manatee (6-0 overall, 1-0 Class 4S-District 13) in control of its own playoff destiny. The Canes just need a win against Palmetto on Oct. 27 to win the district title.
On Friday in East Manatee, the Canes’ first three possessions resulted in two interceptions and a field goal, before their offense settled in.
Manatee scored four touchdowns on its next four possessions to blow the game open in what could have been a trap game before next week’s highly anticipated showdown with Venice, which finished runner-up in the state last season.
“I really wanted to take it to these guys,” Manatee head coach Jacquez Green said. “I didn’t want to let them hang around. Clearly, we’re better than them. and I wanted to play like we’re better than them.”
Meanwhile, Lakewood Ranch (2-4, 0-1) struggled moving the ball against Manatee’s defensive front. The Mustangs, who started the season with three defeats before back-to-back wins, were outmatched Friday.
“Their defensive line is tremendous,” Lakewood Ranch head coach Scott Paravicini said. “They’re a very well-coached football team. So they do a good job of making it tough on you with the things that they do and the athletes that they have.”
Manatee had several contributors in the win. The Canes received touchdowns from Kei’Shawn Smith, Ty’ron Jackson (two touchdowns), Bon Bean Jr., Jamari Blake, Jalen Bryant and Christian Johnson.
Johnson’s touchdown was a 30-yard interception return.
Lakewood Ranch’s Jayden Munoz had two interceptions for the Mustangs in the first quarter, before Manatee quarterback Andrew Heidel settled in with three touchdown passes.
Here’s a look at the rest of the Week 6 games with scores below:
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IMG Academy White 34, Palmetto 10
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Port Charlotte 49, Braden River 16
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Sarasota Booker 50, Bayshore 16
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Saint Stephen’s 32, Fort Myers Canterbury 8
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Bradenton Christian 29, Cape Coral Oasis 7 (Thursday)
Swipe below for scores involving Bradenton-area programs:
Source: news.yahoo.com