1983 4A Title Game - Manatee vs Southridge

[OldSchoolLion]

What an ending and two legendary coaches!  This was back in the days when 4A was the biggest class and title games were not held at a neutral location.  Manatee, coached by Joe Kinnan, traveled to Miami and was appearing in its first state title game ever.  Don Soldinger lead Southridge to its first title game appearance.  Both teams would go on to become state powerhouses in the years to come.  

 

[FL_HS_football]

Things that you didn't cover about this game, the previous year Manatee finished the regular season 9-1 with their only loss being to Lakeland. I believe Southridge also finished 9-1 that season as well. The 2 coaches got together and decided to meet up for a Thanksgiving Day game at Hawkins Stadium, and boy what a game it was! The game was back forth and finish a tie at the end of the 4th QT, and went to overtime with Southridge pulling out the win in OT. It was simply way beyond ironic they would then meet the following year for the 4A state title. The game had its controversial moment as well, Manatee a driven the ball to inside the Southridge 5 yard line, Tracy Sanders the Manatee QB had fumbled the ball that was recovered by Southridge. The call was however reversed as the back judge ruled Sanders knee had touched the ground while still in control of the ball and Manatee retained possession and would then go on to score and take the lead that they wouldn't lose. Replays of the play however seem to show Sanders never had possession of the ball when his knee hit the ground. Southridge I believe had the ball for at least 2 more possessions and wasn't able to score on either occasion. For me it was the best State title game Manatee played and won of its 5 state titles.......the semi-final game against Orange Park in 92 was probably the one play-off game that I remember as a game Manatee was looking to be on the losing end of, but a late INT that was returned for a TD turned the whole contest around and Manatee would go on to easily win.....but its one I've always felt the best team didnt win that night......Orange Parks OL was really taking it to Manatee's DL before that INT!

[181pl]

On 7/27/2019 at 7:15 PM, OldSchoolLion said:

What an ending and two legendary coaches!  This was back in the days when 4A was the biggest class and title games were not held at a neutral location.  Manatee, coached by Joe Kinnan, traveled to Miami and was appearing in its first state title game ever.  Don Soldinger lead Southridge to its first title game appearance.  Both teams would go on to become state powerhouses in the years to come.  

 

Awesome. I remember following this game as a 9th grader. Couldn't get down there, but Channel 8 had highlights.