As we get ever-so-closer to spring ball, we wanted to get a better feel for the overall performance of one of our newest counties in the coverage area, Manatee County. There are only nine programs in the county, but the top end programs within it are good enough to compare with some of the best in the state the past five seasons. The county overall is 235-210 the past five seasons–good for 53-percent, but the top four programs of IMG, Manatee, Palmetto and Braden River are doing their part winning 74-percent of all games played the past half-decade with a 153-54 record. We now take a closer look at the nine programs and their overall winning percentage the past five seasons. The list itself provides symmetry as there are four school above .500, one at .500, and four below the .500-mark.

IMG Academy (26-3) -89%
Established in 2013, the Ascenders are about to enter their fourth season of football and have obviously established a clear-cut pattern of winning. Chris Weinke began as the program’s first head coach losing just three games, but it was first-year HC Kevin Wright that took the school to its first undefeated season last year. The only teams to defeat IMG thus far in their short history are St. John’s from Washington D.C., Trinity Christian out of Jacksonville and Naples.

Manatee (58-9) -87%
It’s hard to replicate what Joe Kinnan did for this program from 1981-2013, but now it’s John Booth’s team to operate and he has done a very nice job to say the least. From 2011-13 under Kinnan, the ‘Canes were 37-4, 3x’s regional champions and even state champions in 2011. Under Booth the past two seasons, Manatee is 21-5 and were regional champions in 2014 in Booth’s first season. Manatee is currently on a streak of six consecutive district championships as well. Manatee is the oldest program in Manatee County with a history dating back to 1947–but that’s an interesting story, actually. (see: next team)

Palmetto (36-21) -63%
The Tigers are technically Manatee County’s oldest program. The program was re-established in 1956 though making them the second-oldest in terms of football. The school played ball from 1930-47, but merged with Bradenton High School in ’47 to form what is now known as Manatee High School and it took them until the mid-50’s to restart. Head Coach Dave Marino has guided Palmetto to four postseasons in the past five years and the Tigers were even regional champions in 2011.

Braden River (33-21) -61%
The Pirates under Curt Bradley have made serious strides up this list by virtue of their 23-2 record the past two seasons alone after beginning its first two seasons with a 6-13 composite record bringing Bradley’s record to 29-15 overall. The first year in this five-year study, the Pirates were coached by Don Purvis in which they went 4-6. Braden River was established in 2005.

Lakewood Ranch (25-25) -50%
Braden River’s biggest rival checks-in next on this list in terms of winning percentage the past five seasons. The Mustangs were under the direction of Shawn Trent from 2011-13 and went 16-15 during that time. Mick Koczersut has been at the helm the past two seasons and the Mustangs have gone 9-10 evening their five-year record at 25-25.

St. Stephen’s Episcopal (24-27) -47%
Following an 0-10 season under Todd Creneti in the first year of this cycle, the Falcons have gone 24-17 including a 16-5 record the past two seasons. St. Stephen’s was established in 2006 and Creneti has been the only coach that program is known in its existence.

Bradenton Christian (20-29) -41%
Established in 2006, the Panthers are nine games under .500 the past five seasons. Four of the first five seasons ended up in winning campaigns for the program, but they have yet to post a winning season since 2010. Head Coach Allan Gerber has been the coach at the school for eight of the ten seasons of its existence.

Southeast (24-39) -38%
It’s been a tough five-year stretch for the ‘Noles going 15-games under .500 in that time. Legendary HC Paul Maechtle was at the helm from 2011-13 and went 18-14 including a district championship in 2012, but John Warren’s two years didn’t go as planned as Southeast is 6-15 the past two campaigns. They were 1-9 in ’13, but made the playoffs last season. Now it’s Rashad West’s turn to resurrect one of Florida’s legacy programs. Southeast was established in 1959.

Bayshore (13-36) -33%
The Bruins have been playing football for 40+ years and have only made the postseason six times. That’s not exactly ideal, but new coach equals new hope for this season. Coming from Port St. Lucie High School as the offensive coordinator and o-line coach, Biezuns looks to turnaround a program that’s 23 games under .500 the past five seasons. Jean Gordon was 8-12 in 2011/12 seasons and Elijah Freeman was 5-24 the past three seasons.