Few thoughts from last night & from around the area

[gatorman001]

1.) Band not a big deal at Manatee anymore: Just 13 wind and horn instruments and 8 drummers to say nothing of the equally embarrassing numbers with the Sugar Canes.

2.) Watched the Manatee OL closely last night, 3 Sophs and 2 Juniors. OL will be a liability for Manatee this year when they see some real competition. I believe reality strikes when they travel up to Lowndes County (GA) to face the Vikings, where Manatee will be routed. Right now for me a 5-5 record, isn't out of the realm of possibility. At one point last night during the 1st QT, I watched one Manatees starting OL on the sideline, showing off his dancing moves while the Manatee drumline was doing a solo number in the stands. Obviously early in game focus isnt a issue on the Manatee sideline????? My thought was you want to dance, take off the pads & uniform and head to the stands, wanna play football.....focus should be 150% on the football field!

3.) If Cardinal Mooney can keeps its coach, you might be seeing the rise of a Suncoast Private school football power. Beat what was supposed to be a pretty decent Sarasota Booker team 45-32 in its classic opener.

4.) Riverview had as about as a bad 1st QT against Port Charlotte as you can have, with one mistake after another to find itself down 21- zip before it even knew what had hit them. The transfer soph QB from Charlotte hs, showed nice pocket awareness and delivered some nice accurate passes for the Pirates. The FSU commit Charles while big and strong, seemed hell bent most of the evening showing wo ever he was facing that he was the man, rather then just playing his position....... If these 2 were to face each other again, pretty sure the outcome wouldn't be as lopsided if not completely different as the score was last night.

5.) I've watched the new school in Manatee County (Parrish Community hs), play JV contests on a number of occasions the last 2 years, and each time I liked what I saw in the way the program is being ran, as well as the nice blend of talent! Last night they beat Steinbrenner 23-10 in its classic opener, will be a team worth keeping a eye on for the future.

 

[MarkECannon]

1) Thanks gatorman001 for bringing up the band subject. I will rate the bands I experienced the last 3 days.
Best band: Sanford Seminole - Only played from the stands but blew the lid off in the 2nd half college style.
Runner up: Jones - Best musical selection and charisma.
3rd place: Apopka - See Sanford Seminole
4th place Tampa Bay Tech - They are one of my favorite Hillsborough County bands but looked smaller and were only in preseason form.
No band: St Thomas Aquinas & Bishop Verot. Private schools man be producing the best football but bands, not so much.

2). St Thomas Aquinas @ Bishop Verot: This is the most complete Aquinas team I’ve seen since 2010. They just steam rolled Carter Smith and Bishop Verot who are a very good team. It was a packed house with a great atmosphere even with no bands. Running clock by the middle of the 3rd quarter. Aquinas 37 Bishop Verot 14

3). Apopka @ Tampa Bay Tech: Tampa Bay Tech looks loaded again. Apopka is young but showed some promise. I said I would never return to Tampa Bay Tech but did so because of DarterBlue2. We were leaving between the 3rd and 4th quarters. We were headed towards to the exit when a teenager set off a huge, loud smoke bomb that caused a stampede of teenagers running in all directions. The game was called at that point. Running clock in the 3rd quarter. Tampa Bay Tech 37 Apopka 0

4). Sanford Seminole @ Orlando Jones. Best game of the weekend. Played in Camping World Stadium. Great atmosphere, security everywhere. The game started like it would be a back and forth shootout but Jones played much more aggressively. They wanted this game more than Seminole. They grabbed ahold of the game in the 2nd quarter. Jones has a superstar WR. The Gator commit, Vernell Brown, should be a top college receiver day one. If Billy Napier can survive this year he will have DJ Lagway throwing to Eugene Wilson & Brown and that will be explosive. Brown plays like Antonio Brown but hopefully without the drama. Jones 43 Seminole 21

Great weekend of high school football. I’m looking already for next weekend.

 

[JonMHS]

Manatee will be one of the top teams in the area this year! Their defense is the real deal and teams are not going to score a lot of points on them! Was able to talk to a college recruiter from FAU and he believes that they are as physical and as talented as he’s seen so far!! Unbelievable team speed he said. And that’s was without their best player on defense LB and Louisville bound Caleb Matelau!
QB Andrew Heidel has probably one of the best arms in the area! And will look to better his last season of 2600 yards and 20 TD’s. The only two games I see Manatee in a dog fight will be road tests against Gainesville Buchholz and Loundes County GA. Everybody else on their schedule they can beat! I see an (8-2) record at worst! Everybody’s very excited about this ball team, if they stay healthy, they can compete with and beat anybody. It all starts next week for real!!

 

[gatorman001]

1) Thanks gatorman001 for bringing up the band subject. I will rate the bands I experienced the last 3 days.
Best band: Sanford Seminole - Only played from the stands but blew the lid off in the 2nd half college style.
Runner up: Jones - Best musical selection and charisma.
3rd place: Apopka - See Sanford Seminole
4th place Tampa Bay Tech - They are one of my favorite Hillsborough County bands but looked smaller and were only in preseason form.
No band: St Thomas Aquinas & Bishop Verot. Private schools man be producing the best football but bands, not so much.

2). St Thomas Aquinas @ Bishop Verot: This is the most complete Aquinas team I’ve seen since 2010. They just steam rolled Carter Smith and Bishop Verot who are a very good team. It was a packed house with a great atmosphere even with no bands. Running clock by the middle of the 3rd quarter. Aquinas 37 Bishop Verot 14

3). Apopka @ Tampa Bay Tech: Tampa Bay Tech looks loaded again. Apopka is young but showed some promise. I said I would never return to Tampa Bay Tech but did so because of DarterBlue2. We were leaving between the 3rd and 4th quarters. We were headed towards to the exit when a teenager set off a huge, loud smoke bomb that caused a stampede of teenagers running in all directions. The game was called at that point. Running clock in the 3rd quarter. Tampa Bay Tech 37 Apopka 0

4). Sanford Seminole @ Orlando Jones. Best game of the weekend. Played in Camping World Stadium. Great atmosphere, security everywhere. The game started like it would be a back and forth shootout but Jones played much more aggressively. They wanted this game more than Seminole. They grabbed ahold of the game in the 2nd quarter. Jones has a superstar WR. The Gator commit, Vernell Brown, should be a top college receiver day one. If Billy Napier can survive this year he will have DJ Lagway throwing to Eugene Wilson & Brown and that will be explosive. Brown plays like Antonio Brown but hopefully without the drama. Jones 43 Seminole 21

Great weekend of high school football. I’m looking already for next weekend.

Wow, you got around to see 3 different quality games! I dont know that I have that in me anymore to do that........I had 1/2 thought about going to the Mooney/Booker game instead of the Manatee game, and when I ended up leaving at halftime of the Manatee game, mentioned to the wife I wished I had done that. I took Latin at Manatee, my teacher was Sarah Kidder who at the time was also the director of the Sugar Canes. In reflection now I guess she would now be considered very old school in her approach and dedication to the Sugar Canes and the Band performances. As I recalled though the Kiltie Band of Riverview from a Sarasota/Manatee County persepctive was always the standard bearer for HS Bands and still pretty much still is. It bothered me seeing what has become of both the Manatee Band and Sugar Canes.

I still get messages from the little town I lived in GA.....Commerce. Small town football is just different in Georgia, they closed the town down one evening before the Commerce Tigers opened up their season to have a parade through the middle of downtown Commerce for the football team. Commerce lost its season opener Friday night to Wesleyan 42-21.

Was currious as to how Bishop Verot would do against STA. You mention the 2010 STA team.........2010 the wife and I went up to Woodland Hills, PA to watch Manatee play, Manatee throtled what turned out to be a pretty good Woodland Hills team as they ended up playing very deep into the PA playoffs that year. Manatee was over-all a pretty young team, but was loaded with talent and of course coached by Joe Kinnan. They would go undefeated and I believe only to loose to STA in the Semis. Didnt make it down to see that one, as the wife ended up being diagnosed with a paricardial cyst, that was discovered by accident from a CAT scan on her kidneys and she ended up having heart surgery to have that removed in early Dec of 2010. Never been to Piccolo stadium, maybe it will be this year that finally happens!

Still uncertain as to what becomes of Billy Napier, he wouldnt be in this position had he won rather then lost 2 to 3 very winnable games last year........Arkansas, Missouri and maybe FSU before billy called a very bad double reverse play while up 12-zip on FSU. Florida could have called it safe and gone into half up 15-0 or possibly even 19-0 at half. instead the play resulted in a intentional grounding call taking the Gators out of FG range and turning the ball back over to FSU wih over a minute still left in the half.....big time momentum killer for Florida. Glad Florida is still able to bring in its lagcy kids like Brown, and Ben Hanks kid this week. Florida is facing some hard to over come negative recruiting this season, due to the Napier last 2 seasons as well as the uncertainty over whether Napier will last this season?

Speaking of lagcy kids, worked with a woman at the Sarasota PO "Gay Marsters" she had a couple of boys that both played at Sarasota, one went onto to play DE for the University of South Carolina...(want to say his name was Brandon), I see a Marsters kid is playing at Riverview and is a D-1 recruit this season.....wondering if that's her grandkid?

 

[twc2499]

First time back on here in a while and gatorman you haven’t changed lol. Come on man, seriously 5-5. I see two losses that could happen and they also could be wins. That’s on the road in Georgia against Lowndes Co and on the road against Gainesville Buchholz. Rest of the schedule is most likely winnable.
Watch the game Friday night and boy I’ve been watching Manatee Football since I played back in the late 70’s and early 80s and that might be one of the best defensive football teams I’ve seen here in a long while. And man, Manatee has had some outstanding defenses through the years. That itself will keep and every football game they play. Go Canes!!

 

[MarkECannon]

Have some friends that recently retired as administrators at Hillsborough High who went to the game. I warned them about what they were about to see.

Gatorman001, I failed to make it to church from the exhaustion of the last 3 nights. I tried but it was obvious it wasn’t going to happen.

You are absolutely correct on that play call by Napier. Florida had their foot on the Seminoles neck and it was about to break. It was probably the play of the game.

Charlotte beat Lemon Bay Friday night. Where’s Silver King?!

 

[gatorman001]

twc249,So lets hear it on what exactly your expectations are for this year's defense? You've laid the gauntlet down on having wittnessed outstanding Hurricane defenses of the past, lets hear what we can expect from this year's defense....stacked up to those outstanding Hurricane defences of the past? just a word of warning.......using this past week's game or the the next 2 games as a measuring stick for those expectations, would in my mind be fools gold.

 

[gatorman001]

Have some friends that recently retired as administrators at Hillsborough High who went to the game. I warned them about what they were about to see.

Gatorman001, I failed to make it to church from the exhaustion of the last 3 nights. I tried but it was obvious it wasn’t going to happen.

You are absolutely correct on that play call by Napier. Florida had their foot on the Seminoles neck and it was about to break. It was probably the play of the game.

Charlotte beat Lemon Bay Friday night. Where’s Silver King?!

Hillborough had a little 5'9" freshman at QB, the OL was ill equiped to handle Manatee's Johnson-Kelly and Kennon on the DL. Like I indicated before the game, it looked like Hillsborough had been hit pretty hard by transfers of its returning skilled talent of last year. I think I counted 19 freshman and Sophs on the Maxpreps varisty roster for them. The Hillsborough offense gift wrapped a short field for Manatee on just about everyone of its 1st half possessions. Would have preferred seeing Manatee play a better team for its classic, possible I guess there just wasnt much to pick from?

Think I read somewhere Charlotte and Lemon Bay hadnt met, since a 2009 district tiebreaker?......who would have thought those 2 wouldnt have played each other more often than that?

 

[MarkECannon]

Hillborough had a little 5'9" freshman at QB, the OL was ill equiped to handle Manatee's Johnson-Kelly and Kennon on the DL. Like I indicated before the game, it looked like Hillsborough had been hit pretty hard by transfers of its returning skilled talent of last year. I think I counted 19 freshman and Sophs on the Maxpreps varisty roster for them. The Hillsborough offense gift wrapped a short field for Manatee on just about everyone of its 1st half possessions. Would have preferred seeing Manatee play a better team for its classic, possible I guess there just wasnt much to pick from?

Think I read somewhere Charlotte and Lemon Bay hadnt met, since a 2009 district tiebreaker?......who would have thought those 2 wouldnt have played each other more often than that?

I’m surprised to hear about the QB for Hillsborough. At their media days they had a senior that was taking over because the starter had transferred out.

Port Charlotte beat daylights out of Sarasota Riverview before the Rams came back late to make the score look somewhat respectable, 37-12.

 

[twc2499]

Well, doesn’t take rocket scientist to see the talent they have on that side of the ball! Their front seven especially with the addition of three transfers are very good! They have to stay healthy though! The secondary will be much improved! Watch out for sophomore Joc Harris. He is a 6’3 195 FS. He will also see some action as a punt returner and WR. But it’s the LB’s that make this unit better! Louisville commit Caleb Matelau 6’2 230, Braden River transfer Ronin Dangler 6’1 195 and Palmetto transfer Kahvon Williams 6’2 212 will hold down those three LB spots. Making it one of the most athletic and physical linebacking group Manatee has had in sometime!
At the FAC team camp this summer that unit impressed a lot of coaches and scouts! I didn’t even mention the two dudes upfront on the defensive line that have been three year starters. This unit will put pressure on a lot of football teams because they’re gonna play a very aggressive and blitzing style defense! Add in their team speed and they will cause a lot of trouble. So that’s why I and many others feel this could be a special group. But they have to perform on the field. It all starts this Friday.

 

[gatorman001]

Well, doesn’t take rocket scientist to see the talent they have on that side of the ball! Their front seven especially with the addition of three transfers are very good! They have to stay healthy though! The secondary will be much improved! Watch out for sophomore Joc Harris. He is a 6’3 195 FS. He will also see some action as a punt returner and WR. But it’s the LB’s that make this unit better! Louisville commit Caleb Matelau 6’2 230, Braden River transfer Ronin Dangler 6’1 195 and Palmetto transfer Kahvon Williams 6’2 212 will hold down those three LB spots. Making it one of the most athletic and physical linebacking group Manatee has had in sometime!
At the FAC team camp this summer that unit impressed a lot of coaches and scouts! I didn’t even mention the two dudes upfront on the defensive line that have been three year starters. This unit will put pressure on a lot of football teams because they’re gonna play a very aggressive and blitzing style defense! Add in their team speed and they will cause a lot of trouble. So that’s why I and many others feel this could be a special group. But they have to perform on the field. It all starts this Friday.

No one is arguing about talent, my question was about expectations. Manatee had talent on its defense last year, when it mattered however the weight and height stats didnt mean much.

 

[twc2499]

The defense wasn’t bad last year. The difference this year is their linebackers. Manatee is going to be able to put much more pressure on opposing teams from that position and also they’re very good coverage. Then you add a much improved secondary to the mix, expectation are going to be high! Plus we already know what the two big guys upfront can do. So overall, I guess the expectations are much higher this year for their defense! They need that while a young offensive line comes along. Manatee’s skilled kids are as good as anybody's on the offensive side. Hopefully everything comes together. And they have to stay healthy. And remember these are 16, 17 and 18 year old kids out there. We just have to wait and see. Hopefully they meet those expectations this year. But the one thing they’re gonna be, is a fun bunch of players to watch.

 

[gatorman001]

What year did you graduate from Manatee? You mentioned following Manatee football all the way back to the late 70's, curious if you and I knew some of the people from back then. Did you play football in the original Manatee County youth football league, if so you know Tom Broome.....him and Bob Gallo were kind of the leaders of the league with its primary sponser being Robby's Sporting Goods (daughters Mitzie, Rhonda and the youngest daughter I cant remember her name, all were cheerleaders at Manatee)? I know Mr Choate's son/grandson? played on the 83 state title team, I just dont recall going to school with or there being another Choate around that time frame?

 

[twc2499]

1981.....I knew all those people. I was on the varsity my SO, JR and SR years.

 

[gatorman001]

1981.....I knew all those people. I was on the varsity my SO, JR and SR years.

So you knew Shane Mora and Jon Crawford, Prince Matt, hugh miller, and you got to be on Joe's 1st team and district championship team. Jon and Shane lived on either side of me. I know Jon was on the varsity his soph year...it was either 79 or 80 he racked his knee against Lakeland. The odd thing was the week before Manatee played sarasota in a mud pit. He had already injured the knee, yet was able to make it through the entire game that week. ....I found out last year Jon had passed away in his 40's. The last time my sister saw him, she said he was a pretty heavy drinker. Another friend that played football Allan Goodwin also passed away early in life from cancer...John McFadden also pass early in life.... anywho you play defense or offense....if defense you go against jammie duke's and Crawford Kerr on that Orlando Evans team in 81 in the playoffs?

 

[twc2499]

I played under Bob James. James was fired after our season was over 1980-81 season. Joe was hired and started coaching that spring. Yes I played with Hugh Miller, John Crawford and Prince Matt. They graduated a year before I did.
I played DE my Junior year and SE (split end) my Senior year. We went 7-2 lost to Lakeland and Wayne Peace my SO year, 8-2 my Junior year and lost to Sarasota and RB Roosevelt Snipes for the district Championship. Back then only the district champ made the playoffs. My Senior year we went 4-6. I also played basketball all 4 years........

 

[MarkECannon]

For what it’s worth and Gatorman001 knows this already but I went to St Stephens with Hugh Miller. I hung out at his family’s house and he visited mine in Sarasota. Met Prince Matt when he was at FSU.

 

[gatorman001]

I played under Bob James. James was fired after our season was over 1980-81 season. Joe was hired and started coaching that spring. Yes I played with Hugh Miller, John Crawford and Prince Matt. They graduated a year before I did.
I played DE my Junior year and SE (split end) my Senior year. We went 7-2 lost to Lakeland and Wayne Peace my SO year, 8-2 my Junior year and lost to Sarasota and RB Roosevelt Snipes for the district Championship. Back then only the district champ made the playoffs. My Senior year we went 4-6. I also played basketball all 4 years........

Played my Freshman and Soph years, but I knew before the end of my Soph year I wasnt going to be able to continue. Weighed 115 lbs and was as slow as Christmas. Coach Short was the varsity Coach my freshman and Soph years, then Coach Plaster my Junior year and then Bob James after that but I was out of playing by then. My memory only takes me back to the Bob Sttewart amd John Mackie days, but my Dad and Tom Broome would talk alot and tell me stories about the Wheeler Leath days. Tom Broome had this football den at his house, that as a kid always left me in awe, when ever we over visiting his house. My Grandfather Bowled with Bill O'Brian who was the princple of Prine Elementry, as well as the official time clock operator for the Manatee Games, so I ended up getting to sit in the press box with Bill alot for the Manatee games. After I graduated being friends with Jon Crawford, allowed me to stay close to what was going on with football team. Dont remember which year in a game against Winter Haven at Winter Haven, Manatee lost something like 35-7. Jon had gotten kicked out of the game for punching or kicking someone in a pile up...Jon's mom "Gerry" was furious with him ...(Mark Cannon, Jon's parents were the one's that operated the "Water Hole" Bar in Oneco you and I talked about)....I had gotten to the game after it had already started, and didn't realize until after the game, I had locked my keys in the car.........if it hadnt been for Jon's Parents, that saw me trying to get into my car as they were leaving, I dont know what I would have done. Didnt have AAA and was well before cell phones were a thing. Oh well lots of stories and memories.............