Prep football: MaxPreps, ESPN keep Manatee at No.1

photo by Tom Hubbard
Kelvin McKnight and the Hurricanes are 7-0 following Friday's win at Venice

Manatee hasn't given ESPN and MaxPreps a reason to name a new national No.1.
The Hurricanes kept hold of the top spot on the ESPN Power 25 Rankings for the second straight week following their 56-27 win over Venice. Manatee is third team to hold ESPN's No.1 ranking, joining Grayson High out of Georgia and Santa Margarita out of California.
MaxPreps named Manatee the nation's top team in the preseason and hasn't veered from that opinion, as the Hurricanes are still No.1 in MaxPreps' Xcellent rankings.
Manatee is also ranked No.1 by USA Today, which updates its rankings on Tuesday, and No.2 in the RivalsHigh100, which updates each Wednesday.
The Canes host Palmetto in a battle of 7-0 teams Friday.