That music you hear in the distance is coming from the sound system at Dwyer High School in Palm Beach Gardens. That is, I’m certain you can hear it as loud as it is.
Very friendly place here and a nice setting for football. Early-arriving crowd, so there must be some excitement for the Pirates coming to town. I also saw more than a few cars along I-95 with Palm Bay bumper stickers and other memorabilia. There was a whole family in Pirates gear at the gas station I just visited before arriving, and about 30 Palm Bay fans are already in the stands here. We are now 20 minutes from kickoff.
If you read Wednesday’s Florida Today, you know Caleb Alves will play at quarterback tonight, but Jaryd Clark is at least a strong candidate to be the quarterback in the fall for the Pirates.
Stick right here fro updates on tonight’s spring game. Florida Air is at home tonight against St. Edwards, and Cocoa closes out the spring tomorrow night at Dr. Phillips in Orlando.
FIRST QUARTER
Dwyer scores first when an Alves pass is batted back and ruled a lateral. It is recovered at the 1 and taken into the end zone. Extra point is blocked. SCORE: Dwyer 6, Palm Bay 0. Looks like the officials may be intent on doing lots of laundry tonight. Let’s hope not. Three flags in five minutes. A player is down, but I can’t see the number. During this break, I’ll let you know that it’s very hot here and the sun comes toward the press box/home sideline just as at Palm Bay’s stadium. Looks like Gardner Knight suffered an ankle injury and is being taken off for a look. He gets a nice hand from the Dwyer crowd. Play was stopped for about 15 minutes or so.
Dwyer has moved into Pirates territory with a couple of penalties. Other than that, the speed Coach Dan Burke has decided to put on the field has been pursuing extremely well and clamping down on the run. Another solid Palm Bay defense in the works. I also see Alves out there on D, by the way, at least on passing downs. That’s the end of the first quarter. Neither team really moved the ball. Good defenses, particularly up front. SCORE: Dwyer 6, Palm Bay 0.
SECOND QUARTER
B.J. Ross intercepts and gives the Pirates the ball at the Dwyer 25. Very nice play after a QB fake. That’s at least two really big plays I’ve seen Ross make tonight. Pirates go nowhere, but his INT changes field position in PBay’s favor.
Hunter Stewart makes the nicest run of the night so far in the middle of the second. On first down, he gets about 6, is spun nearly down but keeps his balance and breaks free of the tackler for about a 17-yard gain. . . Stewart gets a first down on a flick pass from Hughes and then runs from the 13 to the 1, carrying defenders. He’s running hard tonight. Alves keeps on a sneak. Kick blocked. SCORE: Palm Bay 6, Dwyer 6. Dwyer quickly drives to the Palm Bay 13 with a couple of nice passes and tries at 30-yard FG. Low but good. Halftime SCORE: Dwyer 9, Palm Bay 6.
THIRD QUARTER
Dwyer’s opening drive stalled at the Palm Bay 29, but a roughing-the-kicker call gave the Panthers a first down at the 12. After a number of plays, the Dwyer QB keeps around the right side and scraps the pylon for a TD. With a 2-point run, SCORE: Dwyer 17, Palm Bay 6.
Dwyer scores on a punt block return by Eric Roginsky of 18 yards. PAT blocked again. SCORE: Dwyer 23, Palm Bay 6. That’s the end of the third.
FOURTH QUARTER
Unlike the Cover it Live we use during the regular season, I can’t see reader comments, but apparently there is a question about the injury. It was Gardner Knight, and it appeared a cushioned wrap was put around his ankle to immobilize it. I’m sure he had some discomfort, but it wasn’t a neck, head or anything that would seem to be one of the most serious injuries.
Dwyer has the ball near midfield with 7:48 to play, still 23-6. I’d say there are many positives for Palm Bay. The defense is fast, and teams will have trouble doing much with the run. Dwyer finally got going with a little scatback who I suspect is going to be very good, not the average back. Once the offense gets time with a regular quarterback, such as Jaryd Clark, I think it will have enough weapons to move the ball. The best news, I think at this point, is that experienced players are really stepping up and making big plays. That leads me to believe that the leadership that was Dan Burke’s concern will be forthcoming. Just something about the way. Ross is playing well, Hunter Stewart is running so hard even the Dwyer press box people are raving over him, and Dalton Melius stayed with his receiver on a good fake and halfback pass that might otherwise have been a TD. He made a great play to knock the ball down. Dwyer, remember is a state caliber team, and I think Palm Bay can start moving back in that direction once the offense has time.
FINAL SCORE: DWYER 23, PALM BAY 14
