Fighting a cold presently, so decided not to make the trip to Bradenton last night and instead watch the game online while listening to the guys on radio call the game. Going into the game I was expecting Manatee to win, in part due to the way Sarasota had lost its kick-off classic and then lost to Fort Meade last week. I hear the stuff about the limited practice time, due to the Hurricane this past week to explain Manatee's flat performance last night.
.So before I comment on the game last night, wanted to add some context. After the game I went back and watched the Sarasota versus Fort Meade game. I also kept tabs on the Lake Minneola game versus Vanguard, during the Manatee/Sarasota game last night.
Vanguard won the game 33-21, and the game took on a story similar to what I watched last week against Manatee. Vanguard jumped out to a 21-7 lead, only to watch Lake Minneola come back to tie the game 21-21 at half. 2nd half Vanguard scored to open up a 28-21 lead, and from there it was more less a battle of field possession, with Vanguard scoring its last TD on a long pass play near the end of the game to make it 33-21.
Sarasota against Fort Mede was a game of 2 similar teams with similar styles and personnel. The exception to that was Fort Meade was able to put points on the board, while Sarasota seemed to find ways to not be able to do the same. It was the kind of game where if the two teams were to play again I could see a result with a different out come. Will add this tid bit about that game, the Fort Meade junior RB, ran for over 200 yards against Sarasota on just 20 carries and its other Junior RB had 70 yards rushing on 10 carries. That's a average of 9 yards per carry. Sarasota's RB Ziegler had 120 rushing on 20 carries against Fort Meade.
Against Manatee I fairly certain Zeigler had well over 100 yards rushing, Sarasota's inability to put together any kind of consistent passing attacked together, pretty much doomed them offensively against Manatee. What Sarasota was able to do however was run consistently against perhaps Manatee's biggest asset on defense....its DL. I'm beginning to feel however, Manatee DB play is going to be Manatee's biggest asset this season! I find the Manatee DL, having watched 3 games, being undisciplined and instead tend to rely more on its superior over-all talent. I also still feel its LB play particularly at MLB is weak.
On offense Manatee is blessed with elite speed and talent at all skilled positions. Its OL is young and is still working to come together. The OL has its good moments and then its not so good moments. Liking the TE play more and more, just 3 games into the season, but I believe this young man is going to be a better TE over-all then TE Manatee had last season! The Manatee QB is a tuff mother.....he's taken some big hits in each of Manatee's 1st 3 games, that makes me question whether he'll be able to do that all season? Manatee presently does not have a true backup QB. The Manatee QB is probably the best over-all QB Manatee has had since Cord Sandberg, in that he has a above average arm as well as being an above average athlete. Not saying he is as good, but he does have the potential to be really good eventually!
Was frustrating to watch Manatee struggle offensively much of the night, its assemble the kind of talent that could make them really really good......they are however not close to achieving that....yet.
If Manatee and Sarasota were to meet again later this season, and Manatee hasn't progressed in a positive manner in the areas of concern I've mentioned.......I could see the game ending with a different outcome in as far as a final score.
.So before I comment on the game last night, wanted to add some context. After the game I went back and watched the Sarasota versus Fort Meade game. I also kept tabs on the Lake Minneola game versus Vanguard, during the Manatee/Sarasota game last night.
Vanguard won the game 33-21, and the game took on a story similar to what I watched last week against Manatee. Vanguard jumped out to a 21-7 lead, only to watch Lake Minneola come back to tie the game 21-21 at half. 2nd half Vanguard scored to open up a 28-21 lead, and from there it was more less a battle of field possession, with Vanguard scoring its last TD on a long pass play near the end of the game to make it 33-21.
Sarasota against Fort Mede was a game of 2 similar teams with similar styles and personnel. The exception to that was Fort Meade was able to put points on the board, while Sarasota seemed to find ways to not be able to do the same. It was the kind of game where if the two teams were to play again I could see a result with a different out come. Will add this tid bit about that game, the Fort Meade junior RB, ran for over 200 yards against Sarasota on just 20 carries and its other Junior RB had 70 yards rushing on 10 carries. That's a average of 9 yards per carry. Sarasota's RB Ziegler had 120 rushing on 20 carries against Fort Meade.
Against Manatee I fairly certain Zeigler had well over 100 yards rushing, Sarasota's inability to put together any kind of consistent passing attacked together, pretty much doomed them offensively against Manatee. What Sarasota was able to do however was run consistently against perhaps Manatee's biggest asset on defense....its DL. I'm beginning to feel however, Manatee DB play is going to be Manatee's biggest asset this season! I find the Manatee DL, having watched 3 games, being undisciplined and instead tend to rely more on its superior over-all talent. I also still feel its LB play particularly at MLB is weak.
On offense Manatee is blessed with elite speed and talent at all skilled positions. Its OL is young and is still working to come together. The OL has its good moments and then its not so good moments. Liking the TE play more and more, just 3 games into the season, but I believe this young man is going to be a better TE over-all then TE Manatee had last season! The Manatee QB is a tuff mother.....he's taken some big hits in each of Manatee's 1st 3 games, that makes me question whether he'll be able to do that all season? Manatee presently does not have a true backup QB. The Manatee QB is probably the best over-all QB Manatee has had since Cord Sandberg, in that he has a above average arm as well as being an above average athlete. Not saying he is as good, but he does have the potential to be really good eventually!
Was frustrating to watch Manatee struggle offensively much of the night, its assemble the kind of talent that could make them really really good......they are however not close to achieving that....yet.
If Manatee and Sarasota were to meet again later this season, and Manatee hasn't progressed in a positive manner in the areas of concern I've mentioned.......I could see the game ending with a different outcome in as far as a final score.
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