Manatee playing for home field throughout playoffs

[twc2499]

Manatee possibly has a great situation ahead of them if things go their way. With STA's loss to Chaminade, Manatee has the opportunity to play at home throughout the playoff's if they can run the table and it all starts tonight with a big game at home with Palmetto (6-0) Manatee's remaining games are at Braden River (1-5) and Riverview (2-3). Manatee is also looking into rescheduling Benjamin at the end of the year now that the FHSAA has moved the playoffs back a week. That game was canceled due to the hurricane. If everything plays out in Manatee's favor the Canes could be home throughout the playoffs. If both Manatee and STA make it to the Semi-finals Manatee would host that game on Dec 6th. Manatee's remaining schedule is very favorable but you have to get it done on the field. Big game tonight against a Palmetto team who hasn't really played anybody yet. Tonight will be their toughest test. Go Canes!

 

[MarkECannon]

Don’t look now but there could very well be a lot of big time playoff games at Hawkins Stadium soon. You better get your order in early at the Shake Pit on Manatee Ave.

 

[gatorman001]

Don’t look now but there could very well be a lot of big time playoff games at Hawkins Stadium soon. You better get your order in early at the Shake Pit on Manatee Ave.

A story about "Shake Pit", so I had taken the boys to a Sarasota game at Ihrig field I want to say this was mid to late 80's. I was on the fairly new 301 by-pass heading home and had come to a red light, waiting for it turn green. This car pulls up next to me with about 4-5 girls in it. All were Manatee students also on their way home after game like myself. They roll down the windows of the car they were in, and precede to flirt with my, not realizing I have kids in the back seat fast asleep. The light turns green, I was more embarrassed than anything and just shook my head and smiled as i began to move forward and they then sped past me.

A week or two later the kids were wanting shakes, and since I only lived a block or 2 away decided to take everyone to the shake pit to get shakes. When I get to the window the young lady that is at the window to take my order, strikes me a being very familiar. I even mentioned it to her, but she indicates she doesn't recognize me either. As I waited however it suddenly comes to me how I know her! It was the girl hanging out the window of the car that night flirting at the red light. When she come back to window with the shakes, I remind her why I recognized her and recall that evening to her...... needless to say it was her at that point that was embarrassed and both had a good laugh from it. This all happened before the halftime shakes for the guys doing the radio broadcast was a thing.....back then paragon cable would do a game of the week and then re-broadcast the game on Monday evening.

Article the Bradenton herald (Tadd Reeve) did in its preseason football insert for the 86 or 87 football season, that's me in the pic

 

[MarkECannon]

Do you still have a Manatee Hurricane Man Cave in your house? That looks like quite a lot memorabilia.

 

[gatorman001]

Do you still have a Manatee Hurricane Man Cave in your house? That looks like quite a lot memorabilia.

No man cave anymore, the memorabila I've added to it, but also given some of it away. Gave a collection of Macohi(s) from the 70's to a previous AD at Manatee (Have no idea what happen to them?) Gave a VHS tape and program from the Lakeland vs Dunedin State Title game to a gentleman that played in the game for Dunedin..(He was coaching at Armwood at the time). I still have the tape of the Pine Forrest vs Dunedin State Tiltle game as well. I had a large scrapbook of articles from the various newspapers ( Bradenton Herald, Sarasota Herald Tribune, ST Pete Times, and Tampa Tribune) from the 70's - 90's about Manatee football as well as the year Manatee went 32-0 in basketball, but it all got lost during my divorce. Had a number of professionallly created "Manatee State Champs" posters, but gave a number of them to Willie Taggart and Shevin Wiggins as the final seconds clicked of the clock in the 92 state title game. (I believe there was even a pic in the Bradenton Herald of them holding them), but still have the ones from 1983 and 1985 state titles Still have the programs going back to the 70's, a number of team posters, as well as other memorabila that is in file drawers and boxes now.

 

[twc2499]

No man cave anymore, the memorabila I've added to it, but also given some of it away. Gave a collection of Macohi(s) from the 70's to a previous AD at Manatee (Have no idea what happen to them?) Gave a VHS tape and program from the Lakeland vs Dunedin State Title game to a gentleman that played in the game for Dunedin..(He was coaching at Armwood at the time). I still have the tape of the Pine Forrest vs Dunedin State Tiltle game as well. I had a large scrapbook of articles from the various newspapers ( Bradenton Herald, Sarasota Herald Tribune, ST Pete Times, and Tampa Tribune) from the 70's - 90's about Manatee football as well as the year Manatee went 32-0 in basketball, but it all got lost during my divorce. Had a number of professionallly created "Manatee State Champs" posters, but gave a number of them to Willie Taggart and Shevin Wiggins as the final seconds clicked of the clock in the 92 state title game. (I believe there was even a pic in the Bradenton Herald of them holding them), but still have the ones from 1983 and 1985 state titles Still have the programs going back to the 70's, a number of team posters, as well as other memorabila that is in file drawers and boxes now.

 

[twc2499]

I remember going to just about every Manatee basketball game when they went undefeated “Storm of the South” Remember mom and dad getting my brother and I out of school to head to Jacksonville for the final four……South Campus gym was rocking every home game! PG Reggie Buchanan was my favorite player!!!

Sarasota Riverview dropped us so we picked up Tampa Bay Tech on the road. I believe the game will be played on 11/7

 

[gatorman001]

Tampa Bay Tech is probably a step up in competition, I wasn't expecting the staff being able to find a game at this point.

That 32-0 Manatee team was a unique team for that era of high school basketball. Mike Kern was right around 6'10" or 6'11", the forwards (Mike Balkman, Paul Green, and Tim App), were all between 6'3" to 6'5" and besides Buchanan at guard my favorite was Tony Thomas the 6th man off the bench!

 

[MarkECannon]

Manatee at Tampa Bay Tech for a night game on a Thursday. Where is Neutral Observer when you need him? This should be fun. I love the matchup. I’m a big fan of the Titan football team as well as their band(even though the band looks smaller than usual this year). I’m not a fan of the stadium and the chaos caused by the many teenagers hanging out in the south end zone area. Gatorman I will go with you to this if you are going. I will be pulling for the Hurricanes to beat the Titans.

 

[gatorman001]

Manatee at Tampa Bay Tech for a night game on a Thursday. Where is Neutral Observer when you need him? This should be fun. I love the matchup. I’m a big fan of the Titan football team as well as their band(even though the band looks smaller than usual this year). I’m not a fan of the stadium and the chaos caused by the many teenagers hanging out in the south end zone area. Gatorman I will go with you to this if you are going. I will be pulling for the Hurricanes to beat the Titans.

I haven't been able to confirm a date yet, I know twc2499 said Nov 7th......but when i checked it appeared Tech had a game scheduled for East Bay on that date and that would have been a district game......so i wasnt sure when the game was actually happening? But yeah I 'd be interested in seeing the game. The last time i saw Tech in person, goes back to when Tech had the big DT (later played professionally, cant remember his name), against Southeast.

Update: His name was Ted Washington

 

[MarkECannon]

November 1 would be the likely dare.

 

[gatorman001]

November 1 would be the likely dare.

Mark, if you can confirm the date somewhere (I tried once again last night to find something on it and came up with nothing?)......count me me in and we'll work out all the logistics to attend the game.

 

[MarkECannon]

I’ve just heard conversation but not confirmation.

 

[gatorman001]

So I reached out to my source, and was informed there will be no contest with TBT. Manatee is still looking into a possible contest for 11/7, but risking a potential ranking (which at this point indicates Manatee will be home for the playoffs), is weighing heavy on the Manatee staff.

 

[twc2499]

Yeah, Tampa Bay Tech decided to not play. Manatee is looking for another game. With STA third loss now Manatee is still open to playing an extra game.
Canes whip Braden River 41-0 to win the District Championship!