In a game with plenty of storylines the Armwood Hawks defeated The Manatee Hurricanes 19-0. Storied programs with 8 state titles between the two teams. Each has transitioned to new head coaches this season and both still expected to be pretty good.

In a preseason game there are always some really good elements, some not so good and surely some very ugly. We give you all three.

THE GOOD
First year Hawks head football coach Evan Davis kept one thing consistent after becoming the head guy…THE DEFENSE. The Hawks were as tenacious as ever flying around to the football harassing ball carriers. Manatee ended the first half with zero yards on offense and 63 for the game. 59 of those yards on one catch and run by Josh Booker in the fourth quarter. Manatee QB Ryan O’Neill was constantly under pressure. Couldn’t sniff without a blue jersey in his face. The Armwood defense also forced four turnovers, including two interceptions by Jhonny Quest. One on the first play from scrimmage.

On offense it was the Ford and Snead show. Sounds somewhat like a ESPN morning talk show right? Jerome Ford scored the Hawks two touchdowns, the first on a fumble recovery in the end zone and the second, a 32-yd TD pass from QB Devin Black. RB Brian Snead rushed 25 times for 163 net yards, including a big 65 yard run in the second quarter setting up an Hawks field goal.

THE BAD
First year Manatee head coach Yusuf Shakir can’t be too upset. His defensive unit played really well at times. Forcing Armwood into several punting situations and creating favorable field position for the offense. However, that very same offense struggled due to the inability to move the ball through the air. Hurricanes were predictable and one dimensional because of personnel. Manatee was limited to 63 yards of total offense for the game. 59 of those yards came off one play. Room for improvement for the Canes.

THE UGLY
While the Hawks defense was great, the Canes defense wasn’t bad, the flags were ugly. Most were thrown in Armwood’s direction. Armwood Head Coach Evan Davis will make the undisciplined penalties acquired by the The Hawks last night a priority headed into Tampa Bay Tech practice this week. Armwood was flagged 18 times for 160 yards. Twice, negating scores.

UP NEXT
Armwood opens the regular season traveling to interstate rival Tampa Bay Tech, a bye week and then a battle with County rival Plant.

Manatee will host the mighty Dreadnaughts of Lakeland this week, followed by Palmetto and then Braden River.