One more time under Friday night lights

Played phone tag with my sister last Friday night.

Tried to leave a message, but I doubt she'd have understood it.

That's because the Manatee Hurricanes had just scored in the Class 5A-Region 3 championship at Palm Bay and everyone at the house where we were listening to the game on radio was cheering and high-fiving.

Only in Bradenton.

Can't beat Friday nights around here during high school football season.

Now it's the last one.

Unless the 'Canes shock St. Thomas Aquinas, who are not only defending state champs, but the nation's No. 1 high school football team, too, and reach the state championship game in Orlando.

I'd love to see it.

We all would.

We'll all be there at Hawkins Stadium, supporting the hometown kids.

Show those South Florida folks what we're about.

Which brings up the 2006 state semifinal in Fort Lauderdale, the last time the two teams met.

Leading 15-0 at halftime, the 'Canes were staggered by a long punt return and interception runback and lost in double ovetime.

It was a bitter defeat.

Yet St. Thomas Aquinas fans didn't gloat. Instead they showed class by applauding the 'Canes afterward.

They appreciated the magnificent effort put forth by our kids.

Let us do the same our final Friday night under the lights this grand season in Bradenton.