2013 PREVIEW GUIDE: District 8A-7 Preview

[one_third last=”no”]

2013 PROJECTED FINISH

1. Manatee
2. St. Petersburg
3. Palm Harbor University
4. Riverview (Sarasota)

HOW THEY FINISHED IN 2012

Manatee, 13-1
Palm Harbor University, 8-3
Riverview (Sarasota), 4-6
St. Petersburg, 4-6

SCHOOL POPULATION (2012-2013)

Manatee – 2388
Palm Harbor University – 2482
Riverview (Sarasota) – 2574
St. Petersburg – 2294

OFFENSIVE MVP

RB Travon Walters, Manatee

DEFENSIVE MVP

DT Demarcus Christmas, Manatee 

[/one_third]

[two_third last=”yes”]

DISTRICT OUTLOOK

Who’s In:

1. Manatee – Manatee is by far the best team in the district despite the fact it will have to break in a new quarterback after Cord Sandberg graduated and having to fill some holes on the defensive side of things. The Hurricanes have again lined up a tough schedule that includes to out-of-state opponents and everything goes right, expect to see Manatee in contention for a state title come late in the season.

Fighting It Out:

2. St. Petersburg – The Green Devils have missed the playoffs the last two seasons, but look to have a nice talent pool that will allow them to be competitive in this four team district. However, they will have to contend with in-county rival Palm Harbor University, who has made the playoffs for the last two years straight, to have a chance at making the playoffs.

3. Palm Harbor University – History has been rewritten the last two years at Palm Harbor University, where the Hurricanes have the made playoffs during that time frame under coach Matt LePain. However, now that success sees a threat of coming to a halt due to graduation losses and needing to fill in holes in certain key areas. Will the Hurricanes have enough gas left in the tank to make it three-in-a-row for the playoffs?

Got Work To Do:

4. Riverview (Sarasota) – While the Rams have quite a bit of senior talent this year, the Rams find the district has not gotten any easier since Manatee joined in the fun. If improvements compared to last year’s squad are made, do not be surprised if the Rams get into playoff contention, but the field is crowded at this point as to who can get the two playoff spots come November. 

[/two_third]