Manatee County High School Football Results: October 26

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MANATEE COUNTY -- It was a week for blowouts, as some Manatee County teams felt the thrill of big-game victory, while others suffered the agony of lopsided defeat. Manatee annihilated Palmetto Friday night (full story), in a game that will be remembered for the ages. Southeast clobbered Hardee, while Lakewood Ranch was routed by Largo and Bayshore came up big against De Soto. Both Bradenton Christian and St.Stephen's came up short in their games.

The Seminoles clinched a playoff spot with their win, setting up a head to head District Championship game with Palmetto this Friday. Southeast has continued to improve, clawing and scratching their way to a 7-2 record, despite a disappointing  52-12 blowout by the Hurricanes and a heartbreaking 15-14 loss Largo in the season opener, after dropping the Kickoff Classic pre-season game 23-22 to Ft. Myers. On Friday, they had a chance to get revenge against a Hardee team that kept them out of the playoffs last season, despite a 7-3 record.

Coach Maechtle was able to rest stat running back Courtney Allen for the entire second half, after the junior picked up 52 yards rushing in the first half. QB Myles Braxton-Johnson hit senior WR Jacob Sannon three times for touchdowns, then added a fourth adding a fourth to fellow senior Adam Nacht. Antonio Ray also caught five passes, picking up 90 yards in the 'Noles best passing performance of the season.

High School Football

Friday: 7:30 p.m.

Palmetto @ Manatee
Largo @ Lakewood Ranch
DeSoto @ Bayshore
Hardee @ Southeast
Bradenton Christian @ Calvary
St. Stephens @ Community School of Naples

Manatee's fearsome front four (from left): Demarcus Christmas, Derrick Calloway, Marquis Dawsey and Blake Keller Photo by Dennis Maley