Football Recap: Manatee Finds Playoff Glory Versus Cape Coral

It can be hard to translate regular season success to the playoffs, but Manatee had no problem doing just that on Friday. They blew past the Cape Coral Seahawks 55-29. The contest was pretty much decided by the half, when the score had already reached 42-15.

Keith Smith

Rushing Touchdowns (Career)

11/21/25 @ Cape Coral	3
11/14/25 vs Charlotte	2
10/31/25 vs Riverview Sarasota	1
10/24/25 vs Braden River	1
09/26/25 @ Pinellas Park	1

It was another big night for Keith Smith, who rushed for 252 yards and three touchdowns while picking up 8.4 yards per carry, and also caught one TD. Those three rushing touchdowns gave him a new career-high. Caedon White was in the mix too, providing Manatee with two scores.

They were just one part of a punishing run game: Manatee was unstoppable on the ground and finished the game with 392 rushing yards. That's the most rushing yards they've managed all season.

Several Seahawks players turned in solid performances despite ultimately coming up short. Perhaps the best among those players was Jermain Skinner, who rushed for 116 yards and one touchdown on only ten carries. Skinner's longest rush was for an impressive 61 yards, which helps to explain his lofty yards per carry total. Derek Hooker was another key player, throwing for 207 yards and a pair of TDs.

The win got Manatee back to even at 6-6. As for Cape Coral, their loss ended a ten-game streak of wins at home dating back to last season and dropped them to 10-2.

Manatee wasted no time getting back out on the field and has already played their next game, a 28-26 defeat against Riverdale on the 28th. Cape Coral does not have any more games scheduled as of now.