Saturday, Sep. 06, 2008

Manatee runs over and shuts out Bayshore

For the past two years, Ben Axon has been one of Manatee High's most dependable offensive threats. In 2006, he was a ball-hawking receiver and utility player and, last year, he churned his yards on the ground en route to leading the Hurricanes to the Class 5A regional semifinal.

On Friday in the season opener at Bayshore, Axon's versatile skills were on display again as the senior led the Canes to 35-0 victory over the Bruins.

The Clemson-bound running back had 129 yards of total offense and three touchdowns.

"The players have faith in Ben's ability," Manatee coach Joe Kinnan said of Axon, one of the Canes' four captains. "He does a lot of things well, and he's a leader on our team."

On the Canes' first possession, Axon's 24-yard run put Manatee in Bruins territory. Two plays later quarterback Brion Carnes hit wide receiver Eric Williams for a 31-yard touchdown with 6:31 left in the first quarter. Williams made a heck of an effort as he jumped up and took the ball off the fingertips of a Bayshore defensive back.

From there, the Canes never looked back.

Manatee (1-0) scored on its first four possessions as Axon scored on a one-yard plunge, and a five-yard run and running back Carlton Wilkerson scooted in from the 5 around the right end. Axon also had a 20-yard touchdown run on the opening drive of the second half.

Axon, the 2007 Herald's All-Area Player of the Year, had 87 yards on 12 carries and three scores, and one reception for 42 yards.

The Canes' defense held the Bruins to 132 yards.

"Our offense moved the ball well," Kinnan said. "And defensively, when you hold a team scoreless that's always good. Carnes had a good game spreading the ball around. Ace (Sanders) and Eric also did some things well. Normally, from Week 1 to Week 2, as a coach you look for a big improvement, and I saw that (Friday)."

The Bruins had some bright spots. Quarterback Dustin Linderman had eight carries for 35 yards and Bayshore defense held the Canes to one touchdown in the second half.

"It's hard to say everything we did wrong without looking at film," Bayshore coach Jean P. Gordon said. "But we had some opportunities. We couldn't score. We knew Manatee was a really good football team, and we want to get better. That's why we are playing teams like Manatee and Palmetto High next week. Playing teams like that can only make us better."

Axon did his part for the Canes. But he spread the credit around.

"I give credit to my offensive line and my fullback Xavier Mayo. They blocked well for me," he said. "I have my scholarship, but I want everybody else to get one, too: Ace, Brion and the offensive line, because we are a team."