Manatee (Bradenton, Fla.) at Central (Fort Pierce, Fla.)
Cord Sandberg and Manatee will face Central in the playoffs again this season.
Photo by Marc Estrada
This is a rematch of a state quarterfinal game from last season won narrowly by Manatee (13-10) along the way toward capturing the Class 7A state championship.
Aside from a 10-point win over then-nationally ranked Central (Miami) on Sept. 14, top-ranked Manatee (12-0) has crushed all comers by at minimum three touchdowns. The Hurricanes' average margin of victory is 42 points against a schedule that included seven games versus teams that made the playoffs. Leading the way offensively is third-year starting quarterback
Cord Sandberg. The 6-3, 212-pound Mississippi State commit has 2,205 yards passing and 557 rushing with a 146 passer rating and 39 total touchdowns.
View the MaxPreps Florida football playoff bracketsCentral (11-0) would take a humongous step toward winning its first state championship since 1971 if it pulls the upset against Manatee. The Cobras beat district rival Martin County (Stuart) for the fourth time in two seasons (40-14) in last week's regional semifinal.
Marcus Levy, a 5-11, 195-pound Cincinnati commit, ran for two touchdowns against Martin County and has found the end zone at least once in 23 consecutive games.
Mitch Stephens: Manatee 42, Central 28
Steve Montoya: Manatee 35, Central 21
Stephen Spiewak: Manatee 35, Central 10
Kevin Askeland: Manatee 27, Central 7
Leland Gordon: Manatee 42, Central 28
Jamie DeMoney: Manatee 28, Central 14
