(Bradenton, FL - November 15, 2009) Friends and fans who want to show support for the Manatee High Hurricanes football team as they head to Orlando for the Class 5A-State Championship game are asked to wear red and come out and wave to the team as they leave town to face Tampa´s Plant High School at the Citrus Bowl on Friday, December 18, 2009. The Hurricanes are expected to depart from Manatee High´s Hawkins Stadium at approximately 12:45 p.m. so they can arrive in Orlando in plenty of time for the game´s 7 p.m. kickoff.

Manatee High will not hold a pep rally on Friday because of the early departure time. However, students and staff at the school will line up along 32nd Street West in Bradenton, which runs between the school´s campus and Hawkins Stadium, to cheer on the buses as they leave for Orlando. The team buses will load up behind the home stands at Hawkins Stadium. Members of the media who wish to cover the team´s departure can park behind the stadium´s south stands in the area normally reserved for booster parking. Parking in this area will allow the media access to the team boarding the buses and will also help avoid additional traffic on other areas of the campus.

Once the Hurricane´s buses leave the Manatee campus, they will proceed west on 9th Avenue West to 43rd Street West. The buses will then head north on 43rd Street West past Jessie P. Miller Elementary School at approximately 12:55 p.m. to 1:05 p.m. where students and supporters of the team are expected to gather. Once the buses reach Manatee Avenue, they will turn right and head east.

Another assembly of fans is expected to gather at the Shake Pit, a popular Manatee High hang out which is located at 3801 Manatee Avenue West. The team buses are expected to pass the Shake Pit at approximately 1 p.m. to 1:10 p.m.

The buses will continue to proceed east on Manatee Avenue West into downtown Bradenton, where they will turn south on 15th Street West and then east again on 6th Avenue West, which is a one way street. The buses are expected to pass by the School Support Center at approximately 1:15 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. before turning north on U.S. 41 to head to Orlando. Fans and supporters of the team are encouraged to come out and cheer on the team at any point in the procession.

All tickets to Friday´s game are $10 and will be easily obtainable at the Citrus Bowl.

The football team will practice each day this week immediately following school. Media members are welcomed to attend the practices and to speak to coaches and players following the conclusion of practice. For any additional media requests involving Manatee High School this week, please contact Manatee High Principal Bob Gagnon at (941) 714-7300, ext. 2001, or Manatee District Public Information Officer Margi Nanney at (941) 650-8378.