Packed stadiums. Lines that stretch for miles beyond the concession stand. Legendary coaches and more state championship rings than you can fit on one hand. High school football is king in Manatee County, a traditon-rich sport that brings the community together for nearly a dozen Friday nights in the fall. And its roots are entrenched in Bradenton. Manatee High has won four state championships, all under the eye of coach Joe Kinnan, a Manatee alum.
Manatee won its first title in 1983 and its second two years later. The Canes were champs in 1989 and ‘92, and went back to the championship game in 1993, where they fell to Miami Southridge.
Manatee had made one playoff appearance before Kinnan arrived in 1981.Two years later, they were kings of the prep football world. But Kinnan said he felt a different sort of validation when Manatee won the title again in 1985. “We proved it wasn’t a fluke,” he said. “We had some good young kids coming up, and we proved we were consistent and stood the test of time.” Kinnan retired in 2000, but returned to Manatee’s sideline in 2005, and led the Hurricanes to their first regional title and state semifinal game since 1994.
The Hurricanes returned to the final four in 2006, and went back to the playoffs in ‘07, winning 10 games along the way. But the county’s first state title came courtesy of Palmetto, which won it in 1975. The Tigers’ head coach that year, Frank Turner, eventually went to Manatee, where he won four more rings with the Canes. Across the way from Manatee is Southeast. Paul Maechtle, who took the helm as head coach at the school in 1981, built the same tradition with the Seminoles appearing in five state championship games. The Noles finished second in the state in 1985 and 1988. In the 1990s, the Noles won backto- back state championships in 1993 and ‘94, and again finsihed second in the state in 1998, falling to Miami Northwestern. “It was real special joining the unique rank of coaches who won a state championship,” Maechtle said. “But the best thing was watching those coaches who were former players on the 1980s teams that didn’t win a state title hoist the trophy in excitement.”
The Noles doubled their success in 1994 as many of the players that helped the school capture a state football title took their winning ways to the basketball court and claimed the state champioship with an undefeated season.
“It brought more state recognition,” Maechtle said. “We were in a growth period at our school, and we had an excellent basketball program and golf players and some good recognition for our school and the community.” Southeast’s girls have also thrived under coach John Harder, winning state championships in 1985 and 1990. Not to be outdone are the private schools. Bradenton Christian’s boys basketball and volleyball teams are consistently among the best in the state, and the Panthers have won state championships in girls basketball and baseball. Saint Stephen’s boys soccer team, as well is its decorated golf and tennis programs, are always highly competitive, as are Bradenton Prep’s. In Manatee County, there is more than enough success, tradition and athletic prowess to sat
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