Manatee (FL) football getting back into championship form on offense

“(Nolan Downes) can throw it. He could throw it as good as anybody I’ve ever coached in 20 years of coaching,” Green said of Downes. “He’s very accurate. He’s accurate with a zip, but it’s not a hard crazy ball that you can adjust to. He understands football, he understands concepts and he just one of those kids that really likes football. He’s paying attention when its not his turn. He texts me and want to meet when we’re not even meeting. So that’s when I knew he loved football.”

One thing the Hurricanes will not lack in is wide receivers for Downes to throw to as the team has a trio of wide receivers that might be as good as any along the west coast of the Sunshine State.

Bradenton (FL) Southeast transfer Tavares Powell comes to the wide receiver room as one of the more impressive prospects , with West Virginia and Kansas both chasing the services of the 6-foot-2, 190-pound pass catcher. Powell has some high expectations heading as spring begins and for the 2026 campaign.

“Definitely gotta get 1,000 yards and at least 15 touchdowns,” Powell said to Rivals.

Powell isn’t alone in a very talented wide receiver room that also includes IMG Academy transfer Deno Dalacas and 2028 Elijah Christian, who recently got an offer from Utah.

The running back tandem of Keith Smith (768 yards, 10 touchdowns) and Caedon White (725 yards, 12 touchdowns) returns perfectly intact, giving Green plenty of firepower on the offensive side of the ball.

After averaging 27.2 points per game in 2025, down from the 38.4 in 2024, expectations for Manatee are through the roof as Green believes this offense could lead the team right back to where they were over a year ago.

“Talent wise, this could be probably the best offense I’ve had since I’ve been here,” Green added. “We have had some solid offenses here, but it could be one of the best offenses. Defense will be a lot better than last year. Defensively, all those guys are back. I think our secondary going to be a strength this year and they was the young defenders last year.”

We still got 3 or 4 lacrosse kids that have not made it here yet. They are gonna give us even more depth and some of them started, so we’ll be a lot better. A lot more experienced and I don’t think our schedule will be as hard as the one last year so we’ll be able to handle that part too a lot better.”

More about Manatee High School

Manatee High School, located in Bradenton, FL, offers a comprehensive educational experience with a strong focus on academics, athletics, and the arts. The school’s athletics program, the Manatee Hurricanes, competes in various sports and has a rich history of success. The school fosters a supportive community environment and emphasizes the development of student-athletes both on and off the field.

How to Follow Florida High School Football

For Florida high school football fans looking to keep up with scores around the Sunshine State, staying updated on the action is now easier than ever with the Rivals High School Scoreboard. This comprehensive resource provides real-time updates and final scores from across the state, ensuring you never miss a moment of the Friday night frenzy. From nail-biting finishes to dominant performances, the Rivals High School Scoreboard is your one-stop destination for tracking all the Florida high school football excitement across the state.