Your guide to Manatee's state title trip

Some quick facts on Manatee’s Class 5A state championship game with Tampa Plant, scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday at the Florida Citrus Bowl.

The Florida Citrus Bowl

Distance: According to MapQuest, The Florida Citrus Bowl is located 115.4 miles from downtown Bradenton, with the estimated travel time being one hour, 57 minutes.

Directions: Take Interstate-4 East toward Orlando to exit 79 (SR-423/JOHN YOUNG PKWY). Turn left onto FL-423 N/John Young Pkwy S/. Make a right on Church Street.

History: Built in 1936 with a capacity of 8,900 fans, the Florida Citrus Bowl hosted its first college football game Jan. 1, 1947. The stadium now seats 70,000, but 74,635 fans packed into the Florida Citrus Bowl when it hosted WrestleMania XXIV on March 21, 2007.

Tenants: The Florida Citrus Bowl plays host to the Champ Sports Bowl, the Capital One Bowl, as well as the Florida Classic, an annual college football game pitting Bethune-Cookman and FAMU, and the Florida Tuskers of the United Football League. In the past, the Citrus Bowl has hosted everyone from the UCF Knights to the Orlando Renegades of the now-defunct United States Football League to concerts featuring acts such as Billy Joel, Pink Floyd and the Rolling Stones.

Tickets: Tickets for the state title game cost $10, and can be purchased at Manatee High daily until 3 p.m. For more information on buying tickets, head to roadtoorlando.org.

About Manatee

@BR Boxtext bold lede colon: Head coach: Joe Kinnan, 25th season, 239-66

Record: 13-1

Playoff route: Defeated St. Petersburg Gibbs 52-15 in Region 3 quarterfinal; defeated St. Petersburg 21-7 in Region 3 semifinal; defeated Palm Bay Bayside 31-14 in Region 3 final; defeated Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas 28-20 in state semifinal.

State final history: Won Class 4A state championship in 1983; Won Class 5A state championships in ‘85, ‘89 and ‘92. Lost to Miami Southridge in ‘93 final.

What a leap: Unranked entering the playoffs, Manatee is now 20th in the RivalsHigh 100 thanks to last week’s defeat of top-ranked Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas. The Hurricanes were ranked 66th at the beginning of the season before dropping off the list. Aquinas, which had won 37 straight games before running into Manatee, is now 24th.

About Tampa Plant

@BR Boxtext bold lede colon: Head coach: Robert Weiner, sixth season, 63-14

Record: 12-1

Playoff route: Defeated Plant City 59-14 in Region 2 quarterfinal; defeated Tampa Alonso 77-16 in Region 2 semifinal; defeated Clearwater Countryside 24-9 in Region 2 final; defeated Lakeland 20-0 in state semifinal.

State final history: Won Class 4A state championships in 2006 and ‘08.

Making a difference: Weiner took over the Panthers in 2004, going 3-7. Since then, Plant is 60-7 and has won two state championships.

What’s up this week:

n The game will be broadcast on WWPR-1490 AM, as well as 1490wwpr. The game will also be shown live on Fox Sports Florida, and will be replayed 4 p.m. Christmas day.

n The Hurricane Hotline will broadcast live 6 p.m. tonight from the Beef O’Brady’s on Manatee Avenue West. The show can be heard live at 1490-WWPR — or online at 1490wwpr.com — and features head coach Joe Kinnan and Manatee play-by-play man Dave Bristow. Friday’s win over Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas will be replayed in the restaurant.

n Those wishing to head to the game on charter bus can call the high school at 714-7300. Buses will leave the Shake Pit at 3 p.m. Friday and student buses will leave the high school at the same time.

n Manatee’s team bus will leave campus 12:45 p.m. Friday, driving by Miller Elementary School and the Shake Pit so fans can cheer on the Canes.