BRADENTON — Manatee overcame a 19-13 fourth quarter deficit to defeat Armwood 28-19 in Friday’s preseason Kickoff Classic.
Hawks jumped to a 13-0 first quarter lead after their first two drives with an 8-Yard touchdown run by junior quarterback Devin Black and an 8-Yard touchdown pass from Devin Black to junior wide receiver Warren Thompson. The first score was set up by an interception by senior cornerback Tareeq Welch and second was assisted by a dazzling punt return by senior athlete Darrian McNeal.
In the second quarter, Hurricanes would take a 14-13 lead after senior quarterback A.J. Colagiovanni hit senior athlete Tarique Milton for an 11-Yard touchdown pass in corner of end zone and Jernard Porter with a 15-Yard touchdown strike just before halftime.
On the last play of third quarter, Armwood regained the lead with a 10-Yard touchdown run by senior running back Erin Collins following a fumble recovery by senior outside linebacker Jabreel Stephens.
Early in the fourth quarter, junior outside linebacker Gary White recovered a fumble after a bad snap and scramble which later lead to a 4-Yard touchdown run by Tarique Milton. Another bad snap on a Hawks punt resulted in a safety and on the Hurricanes next drive they extended the lead to 9 points on a 16-Yard touchdown run by junior running back Joshua Booker. Gary White added an interception later in the quarter.
Hurricanes Tarique Milton had 138 All-Purpose Yards and 2 TDs, Josh Booker had 15 carries for 122 Yards and 1 TD, and A.J. Colagiovanni went 13-for-18 for 122 yards and 2 TDs.
Manatee’s defense got contributions from Gary White with two tackle-for-losses, interception, and fumble recovery, senior defensive end Keyvus Canady with tackle-for-loss and two quarterback hurries, and senior defensive back Jacob Main with a pass knock down in backfield and a pass defense down the field.
Hawks Devin Black went 22-for-36 for 227 yards, 1 TD passing and 1 TD rushing, Warren Thompson had 1 TD receiving and had 129 All-Purpose yards receiving and kick returning, junior running back Brian Snead had 124 All-Purpose yards rushing and receiving, and Erin Collins had 94 All-Purpose yards rushing and receiving and one touchdown rushing.
Armwood’s defense was led by Tareeq Welch with two pass defenses and an interception, junior defensive lineman Allah Whittaker with two tackle-for-losses and a pass knockdown, Jabreel Stephens tackle-for-loss and fumble recovery, and senior defensive back Terry Limehouse Jr who forced a fumble and had some of the hardest hits of the game.