WATCH: Palm Bay Pirates Defeat Satellite Scorpions 21-7 in Kickoff Classic

By  //  August 20, 2022

SPACE COAST DAILY TV LIVE SPECIAL SPORTS PRESENTATION

WATCH: Satellite Scorpions take on Palm Bay Pirates in Kickoff Classic. Space Coast Daily Executive Editor Zach Clark and Producer Gavin Keith are on the call.

WATCH: Satellite Scorpions take on Palm Bay Pirates in Kickoff Classic. Space Coast Daily Executive Editor Zach Clark is on the call.

High school football has arrived! The beginning of the high school football season kicks off Friday night with a host of great matchups across Brevard County and will be featured on Space Coast Daily TV.

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – The Palm Bay Pirates showcased a strong defensive performance Friday night in their 21-7 victory over the Satellite Scorpions.

After going up 7-0 in the first quarter, the Pirates defense utilized a forced fumble and returned it 60-yards for a touchdown to go up 14-0.

However, Satellite did not go away quietly. Early in the third quarter, the Scorps cut the Palm Bay lead in half after a beautiful touchdown run up the middle by senior running back Achaia Jones.

But it was not meant to be for the Scorps this night after Palm Bay closed out the game in the final minute with a touchdown to bring the final score to 21-7.

The victory for Palm Bay had a bit of revenge factor added to it after Satellite defeated Palm Bay last season 38-15. Even though this game will not be reflected in the teams overall record, both teams played a true game with no time restraints or modified rules, despite the game being a glorified exhibition.

Next week, Week 1 of the high school football season gets underway. Satellite will travel to Heritage to take on the Panthers. Palm Bay will host Bayside. Both games are slated to kickoff at 7 p.m.

The game was broadcasted by Space Coast Daily’s Zach Clark and Gavin Keith.

In addition to the great coverage on Space Coast Daily TV, a new exciting feature on Space Coast Daily TV app will give viewers the opportunity to watch the game of the week on their home TV via Apple TVRoku and Amazon Firestick.

The new feature will produce great clarity on viewers big screens television with the local high school game of the week shown on live TV like never before in Brevard County.

Click Here to Download the Space Coast Daily TV app and Watch the Game For FREE on Apple TVRoku and Amazon Firestick.

For Satellite, head coach Brian Helton enters his first season after he took the Satellite job earlier this year following Ted Kimmey’s resignation after five seasons and Knox Robinson, who held the head coach job for four months before resigning in May.

Kimmey coached the Scorps for the last five seasons, posting a 36-16 record and culminated with reaching the regional finals last season. Last year, was a historic year for Satellite after posting a 10-3 record.

This year, Helton takes over for Satellite after serving as the defensive coordinator for Merritt Island Mustangs.

For Palm Bay, head coach Jake Owens enters his second season and hopes to carry his team into the playoffs this season. The talent-ridden roster this year could do just that. After finishing 4-6 last season, the record doesn’t necessarily tell the whole story of how the first season went for Coach Owens.

Despite a below .500 overall record, the Pirates still outscored their opponents by a combined score of 228-220.

One of the few games that got out of hand last year for the Pirates, was the game against Satellite last October after the Scorpions crushed Palm Bay 38-15. In what could be termed as a revenge game, Friday night is an opportunity to showcase Palm Bay’s progress since last season.

The Space Coast Daily–Friday Night Locker Room 2021 Brevard County High School Football Preseason Top 7 Power Rankings are out and the Cocoa Tigers and Rockledge Raiders are once again projected to be the dominant programs on the Space Coast.

First Day of the 2022 Regular Season Will Kickoff on Aug. 26.

The Space Coast Daily–Friday Night Locker Room 2022 Brevard County High School Football Preseason Top 7 Power Rankings are out and the Cocoa Tigers and Rockledge Raiders are once again projected to be the dominant programs on the Space Coast.

The Space Coast Daily – Friday Night Locker Room principals and broadcast team have more than 100 years of experience covering youth and high school sports in Brevard County and this season’s coverage on Space Coast Daily TV will once again feature a dynamic broadcaster lineup.

Space Coast Sports Hall of Famers Steve Wilson and Orville Susong of the Friday Night Locker Room will once again bring you all the live action from the broadcast booth.

In addition, Tom Palermo, Jim Palermo, Giles Malone, Zach Clark, Juan Rodriguez, Jordan Rocco, Ron Lighthall, Daryl Durand, Matt O’Hern, Michael Malone, Gavin Keith, and Brian Dillon will anchor or produce play-by-play broadcasts this season.

Don’t miss these live sports broadcasts featuring cutting-edge coverage on the streaming Space Coast Daily TV, along with player interviews, replays, highlights, pre-game and post-game analysis, and much more!

The Space Coast Daily – Friday Night Locker Room principals and broadcast team have more than 100 years of experience covering youth and high school sports in Brevard County and this season’s coverage on Space Coast Daily TV will once again feature a dynamic broadcaster lineup.

2022 Brevard County High School Football Top 7 Power Ranking:

The Tigers 2021 season was one for the books, to say the least. Cocoa finished with a 13-3 overall record, a perfect 8-0 home record and punched a to the state championship where they only lost by a small margin. Of course like every other team, several seniors moved on to the next level, but that shouldn’t be much of a problem with this talented roster. (Cocoa Tigers image)

■ 1. Cocoa Tigers: The Tigers 2021 season was one for the books, to say the least. Cocoa finished with a 13-3 overall record, a perfect 8-0 home record and punched a to the state championship where they only lost by a small margin.

Of course like every other team, several seniors moved on to the next level, but that shouldn’t be a problem with this talented roster.

The offense will be looking to re-create an offensive identity this season with players like OJ Ross, Davin Wydner, and Robinson all moving on.

Some new talent transferred in this off-season to speed that process up with new players like 4-star receiver Day-Day Farmer, quarterback Blake Boda, and adding former Holy Trinity Tigers head coach Nate Hooks to the coaching staff.

With a defense led by Ohio State Commit Cedrick Hawkins, D’Andrevius Dorsey, and Samadrae Hawkins to name a few, the Tigers could be looking at another special season in 2022

The Raiders’ roster features players like Florida Gators commit Bryce Lovett, 4-star Jaylen Heyward and Traven Green and Rockledge has arguably the top defense in the county. This team could be the most talented overall when it’s said and done but only time will tell. (247sports.com image)

■ 2. Rockledge Raiders: Rockledge had an exceptional 2021 season, finishing 9-3 overall and making it to the second round of the playoffs. Last season the Raiders had a lot of young talent who were showing flashes and establishing an identity as a team. Now with that experience and chemistry, you can expect a significant leap from the previous year.

The Raiders offense will lose a leader in wideout Rian Black who went onto Coastal Carolina, but Rockledge immediately filled that void with former Satellite Scorpions star receiver transferring in the offseason.

Adding that to a roster with players like Florida Gators commit Bryce Lovett, 4-star Jaylen Heyward, Traven Green, and arguably the top defense in the county. This team could be the most talented overall when it’s all said and done.

The culture Coach Wayne Younger has established at Rockledge will continue to keep his team in the mix for the top spot.

The Melbourne Bulldogs took the county by storm with the season they had in 2021. Rightfully earning them the number three spot in the power ranking.

■ 3. Melbourne Bulldogs: The Melbourne Bulldogs took the county by storm with the season they had in 2021. Rightfully earning them the number three spot in the power ranking.

Led by Head Coach David Kintigh the Bulldogs finished the season 11-3 overall and made it to the third round of the playoffs for the first time in years.

Quarterback Hunter Turner took his game to another level in 2021 finishing with nearly 3,000 yards, 25 touchdowns, and a quarterback rating of 108. Entering his senior year with a season like that under his belt, the sky is the limit for this offense.

They should be able to pick up right where they left off with some key contributors such as Kody Black and James Hinds returning along with the young upcoming talent.

The Commodores are coming off an underwhelming season in 2021 finishing with a 3-7 record. The season prior, Eau Gallies lost nearly most of their team due to graduating seniors which led to one of the youngest rosters in the county which could be the reasoning behind their down season.

■ 4. Eau Gallie Commodores: The Commodores are coming off an underwhelming season in 2021 finishing with a 3-7 record. The season prior, Eau Gallies lost nearly most of their team due to graduating seniors resulting in one of the youngest rosters in the county which could be the reasoning behind their down season.

Commodores Coach Sands has established a foundation at Eau Gallie High School which tends to get the most out of their players.

Towards the end of the season, you could really see how much the talent has developed. The combination of rising talent, Miami Hurricanes commit Robert Stafford, 4-star linebacker Timajay Hayes, and two talented quarterbacks.

The Commodores are bound to turn heads in 2022.

One word can describe the Scorpion’s offseason: change. That’s something the program dealt with as they prepared for this upcoming season. Coming off arguably the best football season in school history, former Head Coach Ted Kimmey stepped down which led to two more changes.

■ 5. Satellite Scorpions: One word can describe the Scorpion’s offseason: change. That’s something the program dealt with as they prepared for this upcoming season. Coming off arguably the best football season in school history, former Head Coach Ted Kimmey stepped down which led to two more leadership changes.

The 2022 Scorpions will be led by first-year head coach Brian Helton who most recently served as Merritt Island Mustangs’ defensive coordinator.

Although, the team lost some depth with seniors graduating and star receiver Eddie Combs heading to Rockledge. The Scorpions still have a strong competitive roster.

Satellite finished as a top 5 defense in the county in 2021 with players such as Mason Bryant and Ben Morrow excelling. Those two defensive leaders return and will continue to lead, develop and create havoc against teams under defensive-minded Coach Brian Helton.

Former Eau Gallie Commodores quarterback Mark Hinkell transferred to Satellite for his senior season after a strong 2021 campaign.

Despite the change, Satellite High School’s program should remain in the mix and continue to be a team to keep an eye on in the power rankings.

The Merritt Island Mustangs enter the 2022 season coming off a remarkable Cinderella season. It’ll be very difficult to match finishing state runner-up or 13-3 overall again.

■ 6. Merritt Island Mustangs: Merritt Island enters the 2022 season coming off a remarkable Cinderella season. It’ll be very difficult to match finishing state runner-up or 11-2 again.

But, I don’t expect the fall off for Merritt Island to be as drastic as some may think. Yes, the Mustangs lost most of their seniors, including Space Coast Daily–Friday Night Locker Room Player of the Year Brady Denaburg and Coach Hurlie Brown.

The Mustang’s foundation and formula to success have been installed, and former offensive coordinator and new head Coach Tyler Murray will look to continue what they started.

Across the board, Merritt Island is still loaded with talent and still has returning players from the state championship runner-up team like Dallas Donahue, Sean Mayo and Elijah Edwards to name a few.

Time will tell, and this new look Merritt Island team will need to prove they’re still a top team and not just a one-hit-wonder.

The Pirates are coming off their first season following a regime change. Palm Bay enters the new season under second-year head coach Jake Owen.

■ 7. Palm Bay Pirates: The Pirates are coming off their first season following a regime change. Palm Bay enters the new season under second-year head coach Jake Owen.

In 2021 the team finished 4-6, which isn’t the worst considering this team was in the process of establishing an identity and creating a foundation.

As the Pirates move forward, you can keep an eye on players like quarterback Zach Emory-Foster, Octavian Osby, and 3-star defensive end Daniel Harris to take the next step and start making noise in the county once again.

JUST MISSED THE CUT:

Bayside Bears

Viera Hawks

Heritage Panthers

Space Coast Daily’s Professional, Experienced and Dedicated Staff Provides Brevard’s Most Trusted News and Sports Coverage

The Space Coast Daily team brings you the very best Brevard County news and sports coverage. This is the fourth decade of high school sports coverage for the principals of Space Coast Daily and the Friday Night Locker Room.

In 1997, Dr. Jim Palermo, now Editor-in-Chief of Space Coast Daily, and Tom Palermo, now Space Coast Daily president and publisher, called the first-ever Brevard County high school football game on the radio.

From 1997 through 2000, the Palermo brothers called high school football action on WMEL and below is a clipping promoting the broadcasts out of the August 26, 1999 edition of Space Coast Press newspaper, which was owned and published by Tom Palermo. Gannett purchased the Press from Palermo in July 2000.

From 1997 through 2000, the Palermo brothers called high school football action on WMEL and above is a clipping promoting the broadcasts out of the August 26, 1999 edition of Space Coast Press newspaper, which was owned and published by Tom Palermo.

“One of the most memorable moments during those years was when we broadcast the Palm Bay – Dillard 2000 state championship game back to Brevard from the Swamp in Gainesville,” said Jim Palermo.

Dan Burke’s Palm Bay Pirates defeated Dillard 10-6 to win the 6A title that year.

The Palermo’s turned over the reins of the broadcasts to the Friday Night Locker Room team beginning in 2001. Since then, the Friday Night Locker Room hasn’t missed a beat as Steve Wilson and Orville Susong begin their 20th full season broadcasting prep sports on the Space Coast.

In 2012, Space Coast Daily and the Friday Night Locker Room forged a partnership to bring Brevard County one-of-a-kind comprehensive, cutting-edge multimedia youth and high school sports coverage, including football, volleyball, basketball, baseball, softball, soccer, track and field, wrestling, bowling and more.

Ever the innovators, the Space Coast Daily – Friday Night Locker Room team provided Space Coast sports fans the first web live streams and Facebook Live play-by-play action and are dedicated to being the preeminent purveyor of multimedia sports coverage on the Space Coast for many years to come.

Space Coast Daily excels across all mediums, including social media, the web, print and grassroots events, such as the Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame, which Space Coast Daily founded in 2011.

LEFT TO RIGHT: Giles Malone, Matt O’Hern, Tom Palermo, Jim Palermo and Jeff Carr (holding scissors) cut the ribbon during the opening of the Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame at Eastern Florida State College.