Palmetto welcomes the challenges

From an assortment of injuries to a schedule front-loaded with tough opponents, things haven't been very easy for Palmetto and its first-year head coach, Dave Marino.
But Marino, who leads the Tigers into Hawkins Stadium for tonight's game against nationally-ranked Manatee, sees some silver linings.
"(The players) know all I ever ask of them is their best. And as long we keep improving, it's going to pay off for us," said Marino, whose team is 0-1 following last week's loss to Southeast.
Aside from drawing the Noles last week and Hurricanes tonight, Palmetto hosts Wauchula Hardee, which reached the Class 2A-Region 3 finals, next week.
The schedule was set before by Marino's predecessor, Raymond Woodie. But in doing so, Woodie asked for input from his staff, including Marino, who served as Palmetto's offensive coordinator the last two seasons.
Palmetto competes in Class 4A-District 11 with just three other teams - Lakewood Ranch, Port Charlotte and Punta Gorda Charlotte - leaving the Tigers seven open dates to fill as they see fit.
"You either play lesser-talented teams than you, so you can work through the kinks and the mistakes that are going to happen in any season," Marino said. "Or, you go against the very best, so that now, any mistakes, anywhere where you're not 100 percent on point with your program, you know it. It's there. And that's where we're at."
It worked last season. Palmetto dropped it's first three games but finished 5-5, and came within a blocked field goal of reaching the playoffs for a third straight year.
So as tough of a challenge as Manatee presents, it's a no-lose situation for Palmetto - a loss won't hurt the Tigers' postseason chances, a win will be a major confidence boost and the game itself, regardless of the outcome, serves as a great measuring stick.
"It's all positive for what we're trying to accomplish this year. And the kids are excited," Marino said. "We're excited for opportunity just to get out there and see where we are at again."

Canes now 5th in USA Today poll

Manatee keeps on climbing USA Today's Super 25 football rankings.
The Hurricanes, which began the season ranked eigth, are now fifth, hopping up a spot thanks to their 39-16 win over Woodland Hills, Pa., during Saturday's regular-season opener.
Manatee held on to the No.3 spot in the ESPN Rise rankings.

Joe Kinnan, cover boy

Manatee coach Joe Kinnan was featured on the cover of the program for Saturday's Rally at the Wolvarena, alongside Woodland Hills coach George Novak.
The Canes defeated the Wolverines 39-16 and are 1-0 on the the year.

Gameday for Hurricanes

Manatee's Saturday got off to an early start - a 7:30 a.m. wake-up call followed by a team breakfast in the Ohio-Monongahela Room of the Doubletree Hotel.
As his players wolfed down plates of pancakes, bacon and sausage, coach Joe Kinnan ran down the day's itinerary, which included an 11 a.m. trip to Wolvarena to watch Steubenville, Ohio and McKeesport Area, Pa. play the first of the four-game Rally at the Wolvarena.
The Hurricanes get back to the hotel at 12:45 to unwind and watch some college football before heading out to for a pregame meal at 4:30.
They plan on getting to the stadium at 6:40 p.m. for Manatee's 8 p.m. game against Woodland Hills, Pa.

Live from Turtle Creek, Pa.

Manatee High's football team has wrapped it's Friday evening practice at the Wolvarena here in Turtle Creek and headed to dinner at Golden Corral.
The Hurricanes, who landed in Pittsburgh at around 2:30 p.m., face Woodland Hills, Pa. 8 p.m. Saturday in the finale of The Rally at Wolvarena.

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.

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.