MELBOURNE
In between weather interruptions, Palm Bay’s football team put on a show of its own on Wednesday, shutting out visiting Lake Wales in a spring football game, 21-0.
When it ended with the night’s second burst from the school lightning detector, the Pirates were on the 7, well within range of adding to their lead.
A pair of touchdowns by Tyrese Lyons, fresh off the state track meet, combined with a Stuart Brown keeper for the margin.
Brown, the returning starter at quarterback, also got help from power back Tyshaun Rolle and versatile receiver and runner Dez Arthur.
“Having Dez on the field spreads the game out,” Brown said. “Tyrese and Tyshaun open it up, too. Our scout defense is really good at tackling, but they both broke tackles tonight.”
For the Pirates, the spring was about trying to bring more players to the program while learning about those currently on the roster.
“Football is tough, and that is one thing that you cannot change about the sport,” coach Dan Burke said. “We try to find out in the spring who has what it takes to make it through a season.”
Bayside opens run of spring football games
Lyons proved he had the toughness to break some tackles, but it was his speed that hurt Lake Wales. He broke free along the sideline and outran defenders who appeared to be in position to tackle him. It ended as a 70-yard touchdown to get the scoring started.
Alternating largely between the pair of running backs and passes from Brown to Arthur, it was the quarterback who made it 14-0 on a 1-yard keeper in the second period.
Lyons added a second touchdown later on a 15-yarder.
“Position-wise, we are like everyone, young in spots, more mature in others,” Burke said. Prior to the game, he mentioned Arthur, Brown, Mitchell Cook and Darius Rogers as seniors providing leadership. “We should know a little more after we get this game under our belts.”
What the Pirates learned was that the offensive weapons are there, while the Palm Bay defense kept a bigger team from threatening to score on every one of its drives.
Contact McCallum at 321-242-3698 or bmccallum@floridatoday.com. Follow @Brian_McCallum on Twitter and facebook.com/FLtoday.brianmccallum
Spring sports signings keep rolling in across Brevard
Thursday
MIC vs Faith Christian at Colonial, 7
Friday
Jordan Christian Prep at Holy Trinity, 7
Eau Gallie at Harmony, 7
Rockledge at Ft. Pierce Westwood, 7
Space Coast at Port St. Lucie, 7
Astronaut at East River, 7