Having already clinched the Class 5A-District 10 title and a home game for the first round of the Region 3 playoffs, Manatee will close out the regular season with the intent of getting Mike Blakely healthy.
Hobbled by a pair of ankle injuries, the Hurricanes' star running back has been limited to 26 carries over the past four games, and was used mostly as a decoy during Friday's district-clinching win at Venice.
It was the first game this season Blakely, who committed to Florida last Tuesday, didn't have a hand in any of Manatee's touchdowns.
"We're going to get him well. He probably won't play next week," said Manatee coach Joe Kinnan. "When he gets to be 100 percent, we'll play him again."
Blakely hasn't been at 100 percent since suffering a tendon injury Oct. 8 against Sarasota, and clearly wasn't himself Friday, when he managed four yards on six carries and was walking gingerly during pre-game warmups.
"He gave a valiant effort and tried to do it, but he was at about 60 percent," Kinnan said. "And we were selective on where we played him."
The Canes close out the district schedule Friday against visiting North Port and host
Booker in the regular-season finale Nov. 12.
The playoffs begin Nov. 19, with Manatee hosting the District 9 runner-up.
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