Football Recap: Manatee Comes Up Short + How To Watch

If Manatee was riding high fresh off their 55-20 takedown of Braden River last Friday, their most recent game may have dampened their spirits a bit. The Hurricanes lost 63-42 to the Riverview Sarasota Rams on Friday. The defeat continues a trend for the Hurricanes in their meetings with the Rams: they've now lost seven in a row.

Caedon White

Rushing Yards

09/19/25 vs IMG Academy Junior National	121
10/31/25 vs Riverview Sarasota	101
10/24/25 vs Braden River	91
09/12/25 vs Buchholz	76
09/26/25 @ Pinellas Park	47

When it comes to explaining why Manatee lost, don't look at Keith Smith. Despite the final result, he picked up 61 receiving yards and two TDs, and also rushed for 73 yards and one touchdown on only seven carries. Smith got the majority of those receiving yards when he pulled down a pass and took off for a gain of 54 yards. Caedon White helped out on the ground, rushing for 101 yards and a rushing touchdown.

Special teams also deserves some recognition, posting 12 points in total. The biggest highlight from special teams (and perhaps the team as a whole) came courtesy of Smith, who ran a kickoff back for a touchdown.

Multiple players turned in solid performances to lead Riverview Sarasota to victory, but perhaps none more so than Parker Nippert, who threw for 279 yards and three TDs on only 17 passes. That's the most passing touchdowns Nippert has posted since back in September. Isaiah Belt was another major influence, as he rushed for 92 yards and ran in a TD.

Manatee's loss dropped their record down to 4-6. As for Riverview Sarasota, the win made it two in a row for them and bumps their season record up to 8-1-1.

Manatee and Riverview Sarasota will both get a bit of extra prep time before their next contests. The next time the Hurricanes see the field they'll take on Charlotte at 7:30 p.m. on the 14th. As for Riverview Sarasota, their break will end when they face Winter Haven at 7:30 p.m. on the 14th.