The Manatee Hurricanes have a little bit of work ahead of them this season if they at least want to achieve the 12-win mark they posted from 2014. Even if questions circulate regarding the ‘Canes as they approach the season, it does not mean Head Coach John Booth and his squad are without answers for the critics and fans alike, however. As Manatee approached last season with a brand new staff combined with situations off the field and similar questions surrounding them as they do this year, the ‘Canes went 12-2 and found themselves on the doorstep of the finals in Orlando.
Defensive End Kwanzi Jackson (2016) is certainly one of those answers this season for the ‘Canes and could help buoy the defensive side of things while they sort out the pieces on offense. Last season, Jackson posted scorching-hot numbers for Manatee. The 6-foot-3, 240-pounder was disruptive to say the least, racking 84 tackles, 75 of them solo with 24 of those tackles being for loss. Jackson’s 25 sacks for over 100-yards of losses certainly helped things last year and will be expected of him again this season. Jackson also recovered three fumbles, caused two fumbles, blocked two extra points and was credited with a pass deflection on top of everything else.
Another possible answer the Hurricanes have for everyone is the schedule. Although some of the new teams in their new Hillsborough-heavy district (8A-6) are improved, the combined records of those teams from last season was 17-32-1. Last season, Manatee outscored their 8A-7 opponents (Palm Harbor University, St. Petersburg and Sarasota-Riverview) by 136-38 margin. This season, their district is made up Alonso, Steinbrenner, Newsome, Riverview and Sarasota-Riverview.
Their season gets cranked up from 0-60mph the first week of the regular season following a preseason classic with Largo in Bradenton. An out-of-state trip to Hoover (AL) on the 28th of August awaits them along with a trip across the Manatee River versus QB Jack Allison and Palmetto before hosting Lincoln from Tallahassee on the 11th of September.
Weeks four and six see consecutive road trips Alonso and Steinbrenner to make that four road games out of their first five. However the blow of all that travel is softened with a BYE week in-between which, could be coming at a perfect time. Once their trip to Lutz is complete on October 2nd, the ‘Canes will leave the friendly confines just once the rest of the season versus Sarasota-Riverview. In that time they’ll host Palm Harbor University, Riverview, Newsome and then their annual rivalry with Southeast is back on this year for Week 11.
WATCH: Kwanzi Jackson’s highlights from Xecutives below:
