Canes finish the year ranked 26th

Manatee's football team finished the year ranked 26th in country, according to RivalsHigh 100, which was compiled with the help of rivals.com.
The Hurricanes went 13-2 and finished second in the state in Class 5A following Friday's 21-14 loss to Tampa Plant in the state title game. They began the year ranked 66th, fell out of the top 100 after losing to Venice on Oct. 30 and then vaulted to 20th after upsetting Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas in a state semifinal on Dec. 11.
The Raiders, who were ranked No. 1 at the time, finished the season right behind Manatee at 27th. Tampa Plant, which won its second straight state title and third in four years - the previous two came when the Panthers were a 4A school - jumped ahead of Manatee, finishing 17th. They were 23rd entering the state title game.
Lakeland, which lost to Plant in the other Class 5A state semifinal, finished 75th.
West Palm Beach Dwyer, which won the Class 4A state title, finished seventh, tops among Florida schools.
Other Florida schools making the list were Class 6A champion Miramar (33rd), Class 4A runner-up Niceville (56th), Class 2A champion Cocoa (57th), Class 6A Deland (67th) and Class 2A runner-up Belle Glades Glades Central (72nd).