Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Canes rise in USA Today's top 25

Despite not having played a regular-season game, Manatee has caught the eye of USA Today.
In the aftermath of their 48-10 win over Tampa Plant in a Kickoff Classic, the Hurricanes hopped two spots to No. 6 in the USA Today Super 25.
Second-ranked Miami Central is the only Florida team ranked higher on the list.
Plant, the reigning Class 5A state champion and ranked sixth heading into last weekend, tumbled out of the top 25.
However, USA Today picks Manatee to lose 23-18 to Woodland Hills Pa., during Saturday's Rally at Wolvarena. Woodland Hills is not ranked.

Monday, August 30, 2010

Manatee third in ESPN Fab 50

So much for preseason games not meaning anything.
Manatee's convincing win over Tampa Plant during Friday's Kickoff Classic broadcast live on ESPN helped the Hurricanes hop 16 places to No.3 on the Powerade Fab 50 ESPN RISE rankings.
(Chances are you'll recognize the player in the picture.)
Manatee defeated Plant, ranked second in the preseason Fab 50, 48-10. The Hurricanes are the highest-ranked team from the Florida on the list, while Plant plummeted to No. 40.
Sitting atop the poll is Abilene, Tex., which hosts Plant in another ESPN game later this month.

Friday, August 27, 2010

Blakely narrowing down his choices

Manatee running back Mike Blakely jacked up his star Friday night, when he ran for three touchdowns and 140 yards in Manatee's nationally-televised 48-10 win over Tampa Plant in a Kickoff Classic.
But he is starting to lean toward a trio of colleges - Auburn, Florida and South Carolina - and hopes to officially visit each of them.
"They're my top three schools," he said. "The other schools...I don't know when I can set up my visits or anything like that."
Blakely has nearly 40 offers to choose from. But it appears his heart belongs to one conference.
"I love the SEC. Pac-10 is all right, ACC is all right," he said. "But I just love the SEC."
After seeing what Blakley did Friday, those schools no doubt love him, too.

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Southeast, Manatee crack BHSN poll

Southeast and Manatee have landed on to the Bright House Sports Network's Preseason Media Poll.
Manatee is ranked second behind Tampa Plant. The two teams will meet 7 p.m. Friday in a Kickoff Classic to be broadcast live on ESPN.
Southeast is 10th, one spot behind Clearwater Countryside.
Manatee and Southeast will meet for the 29th time in their storied rivalry 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 17 at John Kiker Memorial Stadium.
Click here to view the rest of the poll.

Manatee ranked eighth by USA Today

Manatee is ranked eighth in USA Today Super 25.
The Hurricanes' opponent in Friday's Kickoff Classic, Tampa Plant, is ranked sixth.
Manatee went 13-2 last year, falling to Plant 21-14 in the Class 5A state final.
Friday's Classic will be broadcast live 7 p.m. Friday on ESPN.

Monday, August 23, 2010

Local players picked for inaugural All-Madden Team

Football players from Bayshore, Bradenton Christian, Braden River, Palmetto and Southeast were among those selected for the All-Madden Team. Members of the team were picked by the coaches associated with The IMG Madden Football Academy following a three-month tour that covered 27 states and seven countries.
Academy director Chris Weinke was among the coaches who picked the 27-member team.
Palmetto guard Iziah Sanders, Bayshore tackle Wendell Williamson and Braden River kicker Kadin Kerns made the team on offense, while Southeast's Brian Poole (cornerback) and Terran Williams (linebacker) were picked to play defense.
Palmetto offensive lineman Kevin O'Brien and linebacker Daqual Randall, Bradenton Christian offensive lineman Josh Clark and Southeast defensive lineman Sanjai Persuad made the team's Next Man In Category, created for underclassmen on the rise.

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Wilder Jr. chooses Florida State

Tampa Plant running back/linebacker James Wilder Jr. has verbally committed to Florida State, according to the St. Petersburg Times, whose reporters were blogging live from Wilder Jr.'s announcement Wednesday evening at the school's auditorium.
One of the most highly-touted players in the country, Wilder helped the Panthers defeat Manatee in last year's Class 5A state championship game, and should see the Hurricanes next Friday when Plant visits Bradenton in a Kickoff Classic.
The game will be broadcast live on ESPN.

Monday, August 16, 2010

IMG's Murphy knocks in nine

IMG alum and Bradentonian J.R. Murphy had a day for the ages Saturday.
A catcher with the Charleston RiverDogs, a Single-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, Murphy knocked in nine runs in an 18-4 win over Hickory.
(In other words, Murphy pretty much beat Hickory on his own.)
Murphy blasted a grand slam in the third inning and a three-run shot an inning later before adding a run-scoring grounder in the sixth and an RBI single in the eighth.
A second-round pick of the Yankees in 2009,Murphy is now batting .266 with seven home runs and 53 RBIs in 75 games with Charleston.

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Manatee cracks a pair of national lists

Manatee's football team has made its way on to a pair of national preaseason polls listing the top 100 teams in the country.
The Hurricanes are 21st on the National Prep Football Poll and 49th on Rivals.com.
The Hurricanes host Tampa Plant - ranked second in the former poll - in an Aug. 27 Kickoff Classic broadcast live on ESPN, and head to Woodland Hills, Pa. on Sept. 4 to participate in the eight-team Rally at Wolvarena.
Manatee plays Woodland Hills 8 p.m.