PALM HARBOR — Bradenton Manatee won 35-0 over Palm Harbor University to capture the Class 8A, District 7 title. Manatee's Joe Robinson recovered a fumble by PHU to set up Johnnie Lang's 17-yard touchdown run. Palm Harbor U. drove to Manatee's 35 on the ensuing possession thanks to five offsides penalties but Jamarion McDonald bailed out Manatee by intercepting Brandon Swift's pass at the 26 and returning it 28 yards to set up Sloan Drummonds' 20 yard touchdown pass to Kelvin McKnight. After Lang's second touchdown run made it 21-0, PHU drove into Manatee territory again but a 39-yard field goal attempt by Jordan Colleary went wide left. Manatee added two more rushing touchdowns in the fourth quarter to pad the lead.
Key drive: Manatee's first two scores were set up by turnovers but on the third touchdown drive after a few penalties Manatee faced first and 30 from its 48. Then Drummonds found Kavious Price deep downfield for a 32-yard gain which set up Lang's 7-yard touchdown run.
Play of the game: Joe Robinson's fumble recovery at PHU's 21-yard line set up the first touchdown, and Jamarion McDonald's interception prevented PHU from tying the score and set up another touchdown.
Stars of the game: Lang rushed for 81 yards and three touchdowns on 18 carries. Drummonds threw for 133 yards and a touchdown, completing 7 of 10. PHU's Matt Caron caught 6 passes for 55 yards in his final home game.
Stat of the game: Manatee had 10 penalties for 70 yards in the first half but played a mistake free second half and won the turnover battle 2-0.
Colby Cole, Times correspondent