Manatee Ready To Contend For A Title

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Moments after losing to Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas, 16-13, in the state semifinals last December, fans across the state of Florida knew that Bradenton Manatee's football team had returned.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the storied programs over the years, the Hurricanes had found their way back as an elite program in Florida – and as they watched St. Thomas Aquinas completely take Lakeland apart in the 5A state title game, it stung to know they could have been playing for the state title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As the off-season began, this was a program that is going to be considered as a state power – with a challenging schedule under head coach <strong>Jacquez Green</strong>, who has assembled a quality coaching staff and a team that is loaded with talent.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This rising senior class (2026) that was responsible for a 10-2 season, will once again be counted on heavily. It is a group that not only has talent but also experience and much-needed leadership.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here is a look at some of those 2026 players to keep an eye on:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CLASS OF 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1209050' first='Ronin' last='Dangler'], LB, 6-0, 210 – 4.25 GPA.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/18778427/6548175738636f0f7c34fdb6" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/18778427/6548175738636f0f7c34fdb6</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kohen Kroth, LB, 6-0, 185.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/18433577/Kohen-Kroth/highlights" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/18433577/Kohen-Kroth/highlights</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Derek Morgan, OL/DL, 6-3, 250.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <u><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/18433489/66fabde5d577bf871b6e3159">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/18433489/66fabde5d577bf871b6e3159</a></u></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dontarius Prince, WR, 5-11, 160.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/18048761/Dontarius-Prince/highlights" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/18048761/Dontarius-Prince/highlights</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='213212' first='Logan' last='Rogers'], QB, 6-3, 215 – 4.9 GPA.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <u><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13292833/66e5fca4684f26c870081131">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13292833/66e5fca4684f26c870081131</a></u></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jeremiah Straughter-Brown, DL, 5-10, 290.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/18713495/Jeremiah-Brown/highlights" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/18713495/Jeremiah-Brown/highlights</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>THE YOUNG PROSPECTS WILL HELP TO FUEL THIS PROGRAM</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As the rising senior class will be the strength of this team in 2025, there are several underclassmen who figure to impact this program as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CLASS OF 2027</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Rowan Benford, OL, 6-1, 250 – 3.9 GPA.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/19488186/Rowan-Benford/highlights" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/19488186/Rowan-Benford/highlights</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Brennan Gunter, TE/P, 6-4, 180.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <u><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/19493389/Brennen-Gunter">https://www.hudl.com/profile/19493389/Brennen-Gunter</a></u></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jok Harris, Athlete, 6-2, 175 – 3.0 GPA.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/19488142/Jok-Harris" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/19488142/Jok-Harris</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Peliasi Masila, OL, 6-2, 300 – 3.0 GPA.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/19488141/Peliasi-Masila/highlights" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/19488141/Peliasi-Masila/highlights</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jeremiah Patterson, CB, 5-9, 165 – 3.0 GPA.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/19738415/Jermiah-Patterson" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/19738415/Jermiah-Patterson</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1625040' first='Kenny' last='Piverger'], OL, 6-2, 285.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/19698243/Kenny-Piverger/highlights" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/19698243/Kenny-Piverger/highlights</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Keith Smith, RB, 5-7, 165 – 3.0 GPA.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/19707564/Keith-Smith" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/19707564/Keith-Smith</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CLASS OF 2028</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>AWAITING SPRING VIDEO</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sirdarrean Allen, WR, 6-2, 160</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bryce Cooper, Athlete, 5-10, 165</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nathan Dawes, Athlete, 6-0, 160</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Athian Early, CB, 5-9, 160</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cooper Kolbe, OL/DL, 6-2, 210</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jared Sanders, CB, 5-9, 160</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Benny Williams, Athlete, 5-10, 165</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Statewide Coverage Daily.</strong> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/florida/">https://prepredzone.com/florida/</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>You Can Contact Larry Blustein with prospect or team information at: </strong>Floridakids1@aol.com.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>COACHES, PLAYERS: Do You Have A Subscription? Contact us for a savings code so you can see what everyone has been talking about!</strong> <a href="mailto:Floridakids1@aol.com">Floridakids1@aol.com</a>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->