Despite leading by 13 points in the third quarter on Friday night, Buchholz saw its momentum and lead blown away from Manatee as the Hurricanes outscored the Bobcats 27-7 in the game’s final 15 minutes, leading to a 34-27 Buchholz loss.
With over 100 yards on more than 10 penalties, a pick-6 and a final drive that fell short ultimately led to Buchholz suffering its first regular season loss since 2022.
“It’s an embarrassing, embarrassing stat,” said head coach Mark Whittemore of the Bobcats’ penalties. “So, that’s on us. Me, the coaching staff, obviously, we have not prepared these kids for a football game like this, evidently. We got squeezed tonight and what came out wasn’t pretty.”
A short rush from Jasiah Powell, two field goals from Jay Giunta and a 43-yard pass from Trace Johnson to D.J. Hicks put the Bobcats up 20-7 with six minutes left in the third quarter.
Enter the Hurricanes, who only needed seven minutes of game time to make the lead disappear.
Aided by a pass interference and personal foul on Buchholz, Manatee found the endzone on a 1-yard run from quarterback Andrew Heidel with 3:38 left in the third quarter.
On the next drive, Heidel found Farrakhan Shannon for a 73-yard score to tie the game at the end of the third quarter.
Three minutes later, a short Johnson pass deep in Buchholz territory was intercepted and housed by Manatee’s Kavion Smith to make it 27-20.
It was the Hurricanes’ first lead since the beginning of the game when running back Kei’Shawn Smith on a 1-yard run.
Smith, who finished with well over 150 yards rushing, added a 41-yard score on Manatee’s next drive, seemingly icing it.
“He’s a really good running back. We knew that going in,” Whittemore said. “And when you get in a situation late where you’re trying to run the clock out, a kid like that is very, very valuable.”
However, that early loss of momentum by Buchholz made a late appearance as Johnson found Justin Williams for 89 yards, resulting in a late touchdown.
“I mean, he is an elite kid,” Whittemore said of Williams, who finished with over 250 yards receiving. “You know, he’s a Power Five offer receiver that is kind of a hybrid running back receiver body. I mean, the kid is a legitimate player here in the state that is going to turn around and be a four-star, when it’s all said.”
A failed onside kick attempt led Buchholz to burn its timeouts at the end, and two penalties on the final drive decimated any chance to complete the comeback.
The Bobcats (3-1) will look for redemption on the road at Richmond Hill (Ga.) next Friday. That game is set for a 7 p.m. kickoff.
Thursday, Sept. 12
Eastside 16, Trinity Catholic (Ocala) 10
Friday, Sept. 13
Manatee (Bradenton) 34, Buchholz 27
Lecanto 24, Gainesville 7
Hawthorne 27, Oakleaf (Orange Park) 21
Newberry 48, Keystone Heights 0
Palatka 35, Santa Fe (Alachua) 0
Bishop McLaughlin Catholic (Spring Hill) 54, Saint Francis Catholic 0
Chiefland 38, Lafayette (Mayo) 20
Williston 56, Zephyrhills Christian Academy 6
Fort White 34, Fernandina Beach 26
Union County (Lake Butler) 22, Baldwin 0
Bradford (Starke) 18, Mandarin (Jacksonville) 13
Lake Weir (Ocala) 11, Bell 0
Dixie County (Cross City) 20, Belleview 8
Branford 42, Hilliard 12
Trenton 52, Harvest Community (Jacksonville) 28
Godby (Tallahassee) 29, Suwannee (Live Oak) 26
Madison County 18, Columbia (Lake City) 13
Zarephath Academy (Jacksonville) 56, P.K. Yonge 13
Cedar Creek Christian (Jacksonville) vs. Bronson, not reported
OFF – Oak Hall