Booker makes Manatee debut memorable one with three touchdowns in 56-17 win

Josh Booker wasn’t sure how he figured into Manatee’s spread offense.

It took the Hurricanes’ running back less than three quarters to find out he was the perfect fit. The transfer from Sarasota High ran for 178 yards on 15 carries and scored three touchdowns in Manatee’s 56-17 rout over Clearwater Countryside Friday night in a spring game at Joe Kinnan Field at Hawkins Stadium.

“I ran in the I formation last year so this was new to me. I wasn’t sure how I would do, but after this game I really like it,” Booker said. “I love playing here. I think I could’ve done a little better. This team is a family and I really never had that. I think I am at 80 percent. I can do better. I like the spread offense now. It took me awhile to get adjusted to it.”

Tarique Milton was also adjusting to a new role with the team as its punt returner and it didn’t take him long to show he is also in the right spot. The rising senior returned punts of 91 yards and 62 yards for touchdowns and had a third one called back on a penalty.

“I saw the seam, hit the hole and had a wall of blockers in front of me and just followed my blocks. Our offense played real well, we clicked and had great chemistry,” Milton said.

Countryside scored first when it blocked a punt and returned it 57 yards for a touchdown. But on the ensuing kickoff Milton ran 91 yards for his first touchdown. The Canes took a 14-7 lead on Booker’s 31 yard run for a touchdown to take the lead for good.

While Booker and Milton will making their marks, Manatee veteran quarterback A.J. Colagiovanni looked like himself after a slow start. The rising senior completed 9 of 13 passes for 146 yards and two touchdowns, throwing scoring strikes to Shane Hooks for 34 yards and Jernard Porter for 22 yards.

“We were a little bit off in the beginning. We’ve just got to finish and we have to be consistent,” Colagiovanni said. “We had good drives and we had some bad drives. Tonight was about having fun. We are unit and a family and I think we are closer than we were last year. It’s great having Josh. He’s a big boy. He has been with me in the backfield since were young. We were together going all the way back to the Tiny Mites in Sara sota. Being with him is liking being with family.

“He makes it easier for us because he brings physicality up the middle. He can shrug off guys left and right and it allows the pass to open up. We had some mental mistakes. I just have to put the ball in better places.”

Colagiovanni spread the ball around and overcame a sluggish start by completing his last five passes for 110 yards. Milton caught three passes for 56 yards, Javarius Pollock had three receptions for 22 yards, Porter had two catches for 34 yards. Scott Voltaire ran for 44 yards on six carries in a reserve role.

The Hurricanes’ defense held Countryside in check on the ground, limiting the Cougars to 95 yards rushing. Manatee had some problems with encroachment penalties and was whistled with two personal fouls to finish with 80 yards in penalties.

This story was originally published May 27, 2016 at 11:08 PM with the headline "Booker makes Manatee debut memorable one with three touchdowns in 56-17 win."