Islander helps MHS Hurricanes to nine-win season
by Kevin Cassidy
Islander Correspondent
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| Island resident Nick Sato moves in on an opposing blocker during a Manatee High football game. Islander Photo: Gene Page III |
Lifelong Island resident Nick Sato is playing a major role on the defensive side of the ball for the Manatee High School Hurricanes varsity football team.
The Hurricanes, who clinched a post-season berth by defeating Lakewood Ranch 24-7 on Nov. 2, have made it to the state semifinals the past two seasons, but lost a lot of defensive firepower at last year’s graduation. However, they have now “reloaded” with players such as Sato.
Sato, a senior in his second season as a member of the varsity Hurricanes, plays outside linebacker in the Hurricanes defensive scheme. Despite being outsized each and every week, Sato has been making plays to help his team become one of the area’s best defenses on the way to a 9-1 record and a second-place finish in the district.
Coach Joe Kinnan says that Sato more than makes up for his lack of size with his quickness, strength and aggressiveness. Sato’s best game of the season came in a 28-16 victory over crosstown rival Southeast on Sept. 14. Sato got two quarterback sacks and recovered a fumble on the Southeast 10-yard line that led to a Cane’s touchdown. For his efforts, he earned the Brighthouse Networks Catch 47 Player of the Week award.
Sato, who played quarterback on the Island Dolphins team that won the PAL Superbowl as an eighth-grader, has made a smooth transition to the defensive side of the ball.
He’s made more than 20 tackles for the Canes and has a few sacks and a fumble recovery, making him an important part of the Canes well-oiled defensive machine.
When asked what it was like playing for a legendary coach like Kinnan, Sato quickly responded, “He expects a lot from his players and demands perfection.”
Sato, who will graduate in June with somewhere around a 3.2 grade-point average, knows he will be attending college, but he’s not sure where or what he wants to study. He’s applied to Florida State University, but still is contemplating whether or not he wants to continue playing football, which might mean a smaller school.
Right now he’s focusing on the Cane’s upcoming playoff game at Fort Myers High School in two weeks and hopes the Canes can once again venture deep into the state playoffs.
Congratulations to Nick and good luck to the Canes.
Teams battle for tournament seeds
The Anna Maria Island Community Center’s soccer season winds down this week as teams battle it out for seeding position for the Veteran’s Day Tournament, which will be played in advance of the holiday on Nov. 10.
Division III is still up in the air, as it has been all year, with Autoway Ford, Ross Builders and Creative Tile still jostling for first place.
Cannons Marina has first place locked up in Division II, but Danziger’s Destroyers, Scott Lindsey Painting and Mike Norman Realty are all trying to avoid falling into the bottom spot, which would force them into a first-round tournament matchup with Cannons.
Division I’s LaPensee Plumbing is firmly entrenched atop the standings and Morgan Stanley has locked up fourth place, so they will meet in the first round on Nov. 10. Second place Island Sun will meet third place Harcon in the other match.
It was another great season of soccer at the Anna Maria Island Community Center. Get on down there over the weekend to catch the finals of the exciting soccer action.
Division I
Wyatt Hoffman scored four goals to lead the Sun past Morgan Stanley 6-1 on Nov. 3. Chris Pate and Nick Tankersley each added one goal for the Sun in their victory. Chandler Hardy notched the lone Morgan Stanley goal in the loss.
Nick Tankersley and Wyatt Hoffman scored two goals apiece to help the Sun defeat Harcon 5-2 on Nov. 2. Chris Mundell completed the Sun scoring with one goal in the victory. Trevor Bystrom and Daniel Pimental each scored one goal for Harcon in the loss.
Paulo Fonseca scored four goals to lead LaPensee Plumbing to a close victory of 8-6 over Morgan Stanley on Nov. 1. Heldino Gomes added three goals for LaPensee, which also received one goal from Christian Hightower in the victory. Chandler Hardy paced Morgan Stanley with three goals, while Jonah Caster, Sarah Howard and Vanessa Parkin each added one goal in the loss.
LaPensee Plumbing cooled off the Sun by a goal and a final score of 4-3 on Oct. 29 as Heldino Gomes scored three goals and Paulo Fonseca added one. Nick Tankersley, Chris Pate and Connor Field each scored one goal for the Sun in the loss.
Division II
Danziger’s Destroyers continued its late-season run Nov. 1 with a 2-2 tie against Scott Lindsey Painting. JJ DeSouza notched both Danziger goals, while Blaine Jenefsky scored both goals for Scott Lindsey Painting in the tie.
Cannons cruised 5-1 past Mike Norman Realty on Oct. 30 behind two goals apiece from Garrison Clark and Hunter Parrish. Caitlyn Stark added one goal for Cannons in the victory. Jake Parsons scored the lone goal for Mike Norman Realty in the loss.
Harcon edged Morgan Stanley by a goal and final score of 3-2 on Oct. 30 behind a pair of goals from Daniel Pimental and one goal from Kyle Parsons. Jonah Caster and Jordan Sebastiano each scored one goal to lead Morgan Stanley in the loss.
Cannons Marina received two goals apiece from Denver Hardy and Max Moneuse during its 4-3 Oct. 29 victory over Danziger. Lexi Moore led Danziger with two goals, while Travis Belsito added one goal in the loss.
Danziger Destroyers and Mike Norman Realty battled to a 4-4 tie on Oct. 26. Travis Belsito did all of the damage in goal for Danziger. Josh Zawistoski notched three goals for Mike Norman Realty, which also received one goal from Kiley Alderfer in the tie.
Division III
Ross Builders earned an important 3-2 victory over Creative Tile on Nov. 3 to move into a tie for first place with Autoway Ford. Madison Gsell scored two goals to lead the way for Ross, which also received one goal from Andrew Ross in the victory. Creative Tile was led by Michael Latimer and Austin Marrow with one goal apiece.
Zach Stewart and Michael Latimer scored two goals apiece to lead Creative Tile 4-2 past Island Real Estate on Nov. 2. Chris Gunn and Madison Gunn notched one goal apiece to lead Island Real Estate in the loss.
Mr. Bones edged West Coast Air Conditioning 2-1 on Nov. 2 behind goals by Chase Lewis and Samantha Burgess. Anthony Cucci notched the lone goal for West Coast Air in the loss.
Madison Gsell and Jake Ross scored three goals apiece to lead Ross Builders over Autoway Ford 6-3 on Nov. 1. Autoway Ford was led by Natasha Nieckowski, Jackie Burgess and Sarah Wolfe with one goal apiece in the loss.
Creative Tile edged Ross Builders 2-1 on Oct. 30 behind a goal apiece from Michael Latimer and Zach Stewart. Jake Ross notched the lone goal for Ross Builders in the loss.
Autoway Ford earned a goal and a shutout over Air & Energy on Nov. 1. Jackie Burgess notched the lone goal of the game for Autoway Ford in the victory.
Andrew Ross notched a hat trick to lead Ross Builders 5-2 past Air & Energy on Oct. 29. Madison Gsell and Lily Banyas each added one goal for Ross Builders in the victory. Bruce Oliver led Air & Energy with two goals in the loss.
Creative Tile and Autoway Ford tied 1-1 on Oct. 26 to keep Creative Tile and Ross Builders alive for the top division spot. A victory by Autoway Ford would have gone a long way to securing their spot in the standings. Natasha Nieckowski notched the lone goal for Autoway Ford, while Austin Marrow scored for Creative Tile.
Cheerleading starts up
Girls and boys of ages 7-13 are encouraged to sign up for cheerleading during the basketball season at the Anna Maria Island Community Center. The last day to register to cheer will be Nov. 8. Cost is $45 for members with each additional child enrolling for $40, while non-members cost is $60, with each additional sibling $55.
For more information, contact Andy Jonatzke at 941-778-1908, ext. 9205.
Key Royale golf news
Richard Westby and Matt Behan combined to fire a 6-under-par 26 to win the better-ball-of-partners tournament at the Key Royale Club Oct. 29. Jim Thorton and John Heiselman matched the 4-under-par 28 that Art Doudera and Hugh Holmes carded to tie for second place. Tom Lewis and Dale Hudson, along with the team of Chuck Reed and Jim Dunne, were one shot back in a tie for third place with a 29.
Horseshoe news
Ron Pepka and John Johnson were the only tandem to fashion 3-0 pool play to claim the day’s bragging rights at the Oct. 31 horseshoe competition. Karl Thomas and Tom Rhodes took home second place with a 2-1 match-play record.
The same thing happened Oct. 27 when Hank Huyghe walked his way through the puddles and the drizzle to claim solo bragging rights and a 3-0 record.
Play gets under way at 9 a.m. every Wednesday and Saturday at the Anna Maria City Hall pits. Warmups begin at 8:45 a.m. followed by random team selection. There is no charge to play and everyone is welcome.
AMICC Soccer League standings as of Nov. 3
Division III Won Lost Tie Pts.
Autoway 6 2 3 21
Ross 6 2 3 21
Tile 5 1 4 19
IRE 4 3 2 14
Bones 4 3 2 14
A&E 1 5 4 7
West Coast Air 0 10 0 0
Division II
Cannons 8 0 4 28
Destroyers 2 5 4 10
Lindsey 1 2 7 10
Norman 2 5 3 9
Division I
LaPensee 7 2 3 24
Sun 5 4 3 18
Harcon 4 4 3 15
Stanley 2 8 1 7
AMICC Soccer League schedule
Date Time Teams
Instructional League (ages 4-7)
Nov. 8 6 p.m. Awards
Nov. 10 9 a.m. Blue vs. Red
Nov. 10 10 a.m. White vs. Green
Nov. 10 11:30 a.m. Championship
Nov. 10 12:30 p.m. 7-up Game: Blue vs. Red
Division III (ages 8-9)
Nov. 7 5:30 p.m. IRE vs. Autoway
Nov. 7 6:30 p.m. A&E vs. WCAC
Nov. 8 6 p.m. Awards
Nov 10 9 a.m. 4th place vs. 5th place
Nov. 10 9:30 a.m. 2nd place vs. 7th place
Nov. 10 10 a.m. 3rd place vs. 6th place
Nov. 10 10:30 a.m. 4 vs. 5 winner vs. Cannons
Nov. 10 11 a.m. TBD vs. TBD
Nov. 10 Noon Championship
Nov. 11 2:30 p.m. Allstar game
Division II (ages 10-11)
Nov. 7 7:30 p.m. Lindsey vs. Norman Realty
Nov. 8 7:30 p.m. Awards
Nov. 10 2 p.m. Cannons vs. Norman*
Nov. 10 3 p.m. Danziger vs. Lindsey*
Nov. 10 4 p.m. Winner game 1 vs. winner game 2
Nov. 11 1:30 p.m. Allstar game
*Loser of Nov. 7 game between Lindsey Painting and Norman Realty plays Cannons Marina, while winner plays Danziger’s Destroyers
Division I (ages 12-14) Holmes Beach Field
Nov. 8 7:30 p.m. Awards
Nov. 10 2:30 p.m. LaPensee vs. Stanley
Nov. 10 3:30 p.m. Sun vs. Harcon
Nov. 10 4:30 p.m. Winner game 1 vs. Winner game 2
Nov. 11 12:30 p.m. Allstar game |
