John Lembo

Commentary | Manatee High's Willie Smith's spirits not dampened because of injury

Manatee High defensive back Willie Smith plays air guitar while heading to the sideline Thursday during practice.
GRANT JEFFERIES/gjefferies@bradenton.com

As the Manatee Hurricanes prepared for another region prep football championship game Wednesday evening, Willie Smith limped toward the sideline and watched.

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Archive by category ''John Lembo

SPORTS COLUMNS

Commentary | Prep athletes learning lessons beyond the games

Manatee and Southeast's volleyball teams came together to battle breast cancer Tuesday night. The Hurricanes' season-opening football game was played to help benefit the Wounded Warrior Project.
HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS

Prep rally | Don't take polls seriously; they're just for fun

If you're headed to John Kiker Memorial Stadium tonight, you'll see a team that received nine votes in the Associated Press prep football poll. You'll see a team that may just crack the top five if the ball bounces the right way tonight.
JOHN LEMBO

Commentary | Spring football games usher in new season

Saint Stephen¿s football team went winless last season, which was coach Tod Creneti¿s first on the Falcons sideline.
HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS

Commentary | Room for one more? Lakewood Ranch could get yet another state qualifier today

Regardless of the outcome, the final prep event of the 2011-12 school year will be played tonight on Lakewood Ranch's baseball diamond.
PALMETTO

Commentary | Success breeds success for Palmetto High teams

Palmetto High's boys basketball team plays for a regional championship Saturday night, and does so with a modest record that is a testament to the team's success.
PALMETTO

Manatee moving on to state finals; Palmetto falls short

Manatee outlasted Palm Beach Gardens Dwyer 19-14 to advance to the state final. Palmetto fell short, losing 35-27 to Miami Norland.
JOHN LEMBO

Manatee prep football season now dash to finish

By midnight tonight, every team in the area will have played at least one game against a district opponent.
JOHN LEMBO

Manatee and Southeast set for 30th meeting

The annual backyard brawl between the Noles and Canes turns 30 tonight at Hawkins Stadium, with Manatee holding a slight edge (15-14) in a rivalry that is unrivaled.
MANATEE

Commentary | Nothing to lose for Manatee this evening

BRADENTON -- It has been less than two years since the nation’s No. 1 team came to Hawkins Stadium.
BAYSHORE

Commentary | The top 10 prep football games to see

Consider 2011 the Year of the Shake-up.