Manatee Hurricanes (3-2, 2-0) remained undefeated in Class 8A District 6 play by defeating the Steinbrenner Warriors (5-1, 2-1), 52-17.
The game was close, 17-14, until late in first half when Steinbrenner was stopped on 4th down at mid-field and then the Hurricanes scored to take a 24-14 halftime lead and then Manatee scored touchdowns on four of its five third quarter drives while the Warriors went three-and-out on three of its third quarter drives.
Hurricanes junior quarterback A.J. Colagiovanni completed 18-of-26 passes for 314 yards and three touchdowns and added 24 rushing yards and a rushing score. Senior running back Lorenz Allen had 187 All-Purpose yards (138 rushing, 27 receiving, 22 returning) and scored three rushing touchdowns. Senior wide receiver Kavious Price had 200 All-Purpose yards including 6 catches for 160 yards and two touchdowns of 80 and 25 yards and added 40 rushing yards.
Manatee’s defense got contributions from senior safety Travon Rumph whose interception set up a hurricanes touchdown, senior linebacker Emilio Gonzalez with three tackle-for-losses, senior defensive end Matthew Mackey with a tackle-for-loss and a couple of quarterback hurries, and sacks by both senior linebacker Nelson Domingue and sophomore linebacker Max Shumaker.
Hurricanes will need to tighten up to minimize penalties in the future, they had 15 accepted penalties on the night including nine in the first half which kept the early part of the game close.
Steinbrenner took an early 7-0 lead on a 33-yard touchdown catch by senior wide receiver Justin Moffatt from sophomore quarterback Colin Wray following a 40-yard completion to junior wide receiver Brett Bitter and closed within 17-14 in the middle of the second quarter on a 17-yard touchdown catch by junior wide receiver Carson Kaleo following a 28-yard run by senior running back Jayquese Dantley.
Warriors Brett Bitter caught four passes for 90 yards, Jayquese Dantley had 11 rushes for 78 yards, and Colin Wray completed 8-of-26 passes for 160 yards with two touchdowns and one interception.
Steinbrenner’s defense got sacks from senior linebacker Tyler Mirabella, senior linebacker Patrick Lukert, junior linebacker Dane Coleman, and freshman defensive lineman Tyus Gibson. Sophomore defensive lineman Juan Bautista had a couple of tackle-for-losses.
Next Friday, Manatee will host Palm Harbor University (4-1, 2-1) who defeated Alonso 35-21 last night and Steinbrenner goes on the road to play Newsome (3-3, 1-2) who defeated the Riverview Sharks 35-0.