BRADENTON — Prior to leading his players into the final huddle of the night, Joe Kinnan gave them an explicit message.
“You took care of the county,” said Manatee’s head coach, “now take care of the district.”
Taking care of the county proved challenging for Manatee on Friday, but the Hurricanes managed to defeat Braden River 14-7, completing a sweep of county foes and claiming Manatee County’s first-ever football championship.
The Pirates made sure it was well-earned, becoming the first team to hold the Hurricanes (6-0) under 30 points this season.
They just made one mistake too many. And after scuffling for most of the night, Manatee’s offense finally made them pay.
Braden River quarterback Ryan Fischer, who was placed under center after his older brother, Stephen, was injured during the Pirates’ first series of the game, was picked off by Shaunski Lawrence on Braden River’s 25-yard line with just over six minutes to play.
Two plays later, Craig Carnes sprinted around the left end for a 20-yard touchdown.
“When we had to make the stop, our defense made the stop,” Kinnan said. “And when we had to make a play, Carnes made the play.”
Manatee jumped on the board first when Chase Sandberg caught a 27-yard touchdown pass from Brion Carnes roughly five minutes before halftime. The Pirates (4-3) clawed back, and drew even on Ryan Fischer’s 3-yard touchdown run less than 14 seconds before the half.
“They played hard,” Kinnan said of the Pirates.
The second half had its share of interesting moments. Braden River blocked a Manatee punt late in the third quarter, and the Hurricanes recovered the ball and advanced it. Officials ruled the ball had crossed the line of scrimmage, calling it a muffed punt, and Manatee was awarded the first down.
Braden River forced another Canes’ punt three plays later, which the Pirates fumbled, giving Manatee the ball on Braden River’s 25. The Hurricanes, however, failed to score when they turned the ball over on downs.
The Pirates limited high-flying Manatee to just 118 yards through the air.
“Give them credit,” Kinnan said. “But we didn’t execute. We had guys open and couldn’t hook up. And I have to a better job calling plays — 14 points, with our offense, is unacceptable.”
Tevin Bryant totaled 157 yards on 34 carries for Braden River, and Ryan Fischer rushed for 49 yards.
Pirates coach Ed Volz stopped short of calling the game a moral victory. But he was happy his Pirates were able to play their physical, grind-it-out style of football.
“This is what we do, and this is who we are,” Volz said. “You have to play four quarters to beat us. And we have a chance to be in every ballgame we play if we continue to play this way.”
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