Armwood's defense looked in midseason form with a dominating performance in a 19-0 shutout win over Manatee in the kickoff classic.

Player of the Game Jerome Ford scored both Hawks touchdowns, the first on a fumble recovery in the end zone and the second on a beautiful 32-yd TD pass from Devin Black.

Brian Snead turned in a workman-like performance, rushing 25 times for 163 yards, including a 65-yd burst in the second quarter that set up a FG.

But it was the defense that stole the show, limiting Manatee to zero first half yards and 63 for the game (59 yards on one reception by Josh Booker).  Manatee QB Ryan O'Neill was constantly under pressure and the Hawks defense forced four turnovers, including two interceptions by Jhonny Quest.

One thing that first-year head coach Evan Davis will certainly aim to clean up though is penalties.  The Hawks were flagged 18 times for 160 yards.

New Manatee head coach Yusuf Shakir will likely be encouraged by a defense that forced two Armwood turnovers.

It was the first of three early-season tests for the top-ranked Hawks, as Armwood opens the regular season at #6 Tampa Bay Tech, followed by a bye week before a showdown with #3 Plant.

#9 Manatee has challenges of their own, as they host #5 Lakeland in Week 1 and #2 Braden River in Week 3.

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