Herald-Tribune names top ten performers in Sarasota and Manatee high school football

The Herald-Tribune has published its weekly assessment of the top ten individual performers in high school football for the Sarasota and Manatee areas, covering matches played on 3 and 4 September. The report serves as a statistical record of the week’s most significant individual contributions, acknowledging that player performance often extends beyond the final scorelines of competitive fixtures.

The week featured several notable team narratives, including Braden River securing its first 3-0 start since 2021 and Palmetto overcoming a 21-point deficit to defeat Riverview. Venice also recorded a significant victory, defeating powerhouse rival Lakeland in overtime. These results provided the backdrop for the individual statistical highlights recognised by the publication.

Among the top performers, Curtis Bowdre of Wellen Park recorded five catches for 114 yards and two scores in a 40-0 win over DeSoto. Teammate Noah Wireman also featured in the list, completing 10-of-14 passes for 198 yards and three touchdowns in the same match.

Louisen Desinor of Braden River was recognised for his dual-threat performance, passing for 117 yards and running for 97 yards with one touchdown in a 39-28 victory over Lakewood Ranch. Matthew Hennesey of Palmetto completed 10-of-14 passes for 280 yards and four touchdowns, including a 75-yard score, as his team secured a 34-28 win over Riverview.

Connail Jackson of Cardinal Mooney scored five touchdowns on 195 rushing yards in a 56-34 win over True North, while Dorien Jones of Venice rushed for 134 yards and three touchdowns, including the overtime winner, in a 35-25 road victory over Lakeland.

The remaining honours went to Jaxon Lawhun of Out-of-Door Academy, who passed for 175 yards and three touchdowns in a 28-0 win over Saint Stephen’s; Nazir Pitchford of Palmetto, who scored two receiving touchdowns; Kymani Reed of Venice, who recorded a game-sealing interception; and Camdon Stancil of Bayshore, who scored three touchdowns via a punt return, a run, and a short carry in a 35-13 win over Parrish Community.