ON AGAIN: Manatee and Venice will play in 2014 after all

Venice fans can breathe a sigh of relief in regards to the 2014 schedule.

That sigh of relief came today when Manatee and Venice finally agreed to play on the final week of the season. This comes on the heels after Manatee originally wanted to move the game to Week 9 during the season.

However, the Week 9 deal was not even favorable to Venice’s liking, who wanted to keep the game on Week 2.

That however led to a failed compromise and the game being called off before today’s announcement.

The Manatee-Venice rivalry is considered one of the best games in the entire Sarasota-Bradenton area, which has traditionally allowed each school to see huge ticket revenue when each school plays host to the game.

The move of the game to Week 11 however has meant a shuffle for another Bradenton-area team. Venice was originally scheduled to play Bayshore in the final year of a two year deal that week. It has been reported that both schools have mutually agreed to terminate the contract.

Manatee finished the 2013 season 11-1 overall and No. 77 in the HSFB 100 rankings. Venice finished the season 8-3 overall, just missing out on a chance to win its district.

The game will take place at Powell-Davis Stadium on the campus of Venice High on November 7.

SOUND OFF: Manatee-Venice game back on