WATCH REPLAY ON SPACE COAST DAILY TV: Merritt Island Mustangs Host Palm Bay Pirates Friday Night in Battle of the Unbeatens

By  //  September 18, 2021

Game kicks off at 7 p.m.

ABOVE VIDEO: Merritt Island Host Palm Bay Tonight in Prep Football on Space Coast Daily TV

BREVARD COUNTY • MERRITT ISLAND, FLORIDA – Buckle up your chin strap. This Friday night features a battle of the unbeatens between two proud high school football powerhouses in Brevard County.

Merritt Island Mustangs (3-0) will host the Palm Bay Pirates (2-0) on Friday at the O-Dome in Merritt Island.

The Mustangs have been one of the few surprises in Brevard County thus far of the 2021 prep football season.

Led by their impressive defense, Merritt Island has not allowed a touchdown since Week 1 of the season after shutting out Sebastian River 28-0 in week 2 and Astronaut 34-0 in Week 3.

The defense is led by senior linebackers Jake Woods and Maddox Moss who have been one of the best linebacker duos in Brevard County so far. Both Woods and Moss, have more than 38 tackles combined and have accounted for two fumble recoveries.

The offense for the Mustangs is beginning to pick up after a slow start to the season.

Since Week 1, Merritt Island senior quarterback Brady Denaburg has been a problem for opposing defenses. In two weeks, Denaburg has thrown for 748 yards and 6 touchdowns, good for a completion percentage of over 71%.

In addition, Denaburg is taking care of the football and making good decisions in the pocket by only throwing one interception ever since Week 1.

For Palm Bay, the Pirates are coming off a close win over Harmony last week 20-16. Head Coach Jake Owens has the Pirate faithful believing again in only first year as head coach.

The key for this game will be how the front seven for Merritt Island’s defense matches up with the Palm Bay rushing attack.

The Mustangs are very sound in their defensive approach when it comes to stopping the run. Palm Bay will try to establish the run game early on, but quarterback Zachary Emery-Foster is also a player to watch. Only a sophomore, Emery-Foster can sling it with multiple receivers in the fold this year (Petite, Harris and Young Jr.).

The Pirates are a fairly young team at the skill level positions but they are talented. Merritt Island has a more seasoned squad with a lot of the skill position players that are upperclassmen.

This game will come down to limiting turnovers, penalties and special teams.

Merritt Island has the edge and a defense that is playing with their hair on fire after back-to-back shutouts.

Prediction: Merritt Island 27, Palm Bay 14