Three Manatee County high school football teams secured postseason victories Friday, November 13, while Manatee High School saw its season come to an end in the opening round of playoff competition.
Palmetto, Braden River and Saint Stephen’s Episcopal each earned victories, keeping their postseason hopes alive as teams compete for advancement in their respective playoff brackets.
Palmetto Tigers Defeat Royal Palm Beach, 23-7
The Palmetto Tigers continued their successful season with a 23-7 home victory over the Royal Palm Beach Wildcats. The Tigers improved to 10-1, building on their district championship season and advancing in the Florida High School Athletic Association playoffs.
Palmetto held Royal Palm Beach to just seven points, securing a 16-point victory. The Wildcats finished the contest with a 9-2 record.
The victory keeps Palmetto in contention for a deeper postseason run as the Tigers prepare for their next playoff opponent.
Braden River Pirates Edge Jefferson, 17-14
Braden River survived a close postseason matchup against the Jefferson Dragons, earning a 17-14 victory at home.
The Pirates entered the contest with a 9-1 record and added another victory in a game decided by just three points. Braden River’s defense limited Jefferson to 14 points, helping the Pirates secure their place in the next round.
Jefferson entered the matchup with a 4-7 record. Braden River will look to carry its momentum into the next stage of postseason competition.
Saint Stephen’s Episcopal Falcons Defeat Oxbridge Academy, 18-14
Saint Stephen’s Episcopal earned an 18-14 home playoff victory over Oxbridge Academy in another closely contested matchup.
Both teams entered the game with 9-4 records, and the Falcons secured a four-point victory to continue their postseason campaign.
The win adds another postseason accomplishment for the Bradenton private school football program as the Falcons advance in their playoff bracket.
Manatee Hurricanes Fall to Sumner, 14-7
Manatee High School’s postseason ended with a 14-7 road loss to the Sumner Stingrays.
The Hurricanes entered the playoff contest with a 6-5 record but were unable to overcome Sumner’s defense. Manatee managed seven points in the game, while Sumner scored 14 to secure the victory.
Sumner entered the matchup with a 7-4 record and advanced in the postseason tournament.
The loss closes Manatee’s 2026 football season, while three other county programs continue their playoff pursuits.
Friday’s results highlighted the strength of several Manatee County football programs, with Palmetto, Braden River and Saint Stephen’s Episcopal all securing victories.
Palmetto recorded the largest winning margin among the four county teams, while Braden River and Saint Stephen’s Episcopal each prevailed in games decided by fewer than five points.
As the postseason continues, the three remaining teams will seek additional victories and opportunities to move closer to championship competition in their respective classifications.
Upcoming opponents, game times and locations will be determined by the applicable playoff brackets.