Prep football: Manatee, Palmetto hold tight to top spots

photo by John Lembo

Manatee is still No.1. So is Palmetto.
The Hurricanes and Tigers are still ranked first in their respective classifications in The Associated Press state football poll. Manatee is No.1 in Class 7A and Palmetto is No.1 in Class 5A.
The Canes (4-0), who blitzed past rival Southeast 52-13 on Friday, are still ranked No.1 in the nation by MaxPreps and USA Today, and are still ranked second by ESPN behind California's Santa Margarita Catholic.
The Canes are ranked third by Rivals, which updates its top 100 each Wednesday. Manatee opens Class 7A-District 10 play Friday at Braden River.
The Tigers defeated Lakewood Ranch 43-7 to run their record to 5-0. Palmetto is 1-0 in Class 5A-District 10 and resumes district play Friday at Bayshore.