Bright House Sports Network’s preseason countdown of the Top 20 football teams in Central Florida continues today with No. 8.
No. 8 Palm Bay Pirates
Head Coach: Dan Burke
2013 Record: 9-3 (lost to Merritt Island 14-6 in 5A region semifinals)
Key Returners: RB Sekai Lindsay, LB Twonnie Pollard, ATH D’Quadre Allen, OL C.J. Allen, DL Stephon Williams, OL Matt DuQuette
Key Losses: OL Colton Easterling, ATH Reggie Benjamin, WR/DB Alex Jasmin, DL LeTroy Wolters, S Josh Best
Kickoff Classic: at Vero Beach, 7 (Aug. 22)
Team Outlook: Three things you can count on - death, taxes and Palm Bay reaching the playoffs. Veteran coach Dan Burke has led the Pirates to the postseason in all 18 of his seasons as Pirates head coach. Lindsay, who committed to Pitt, rushed for more than 1,600 yards as a junior and will run behind an offensive line that returns three starters. Junior Matt Wilson didn’t throw a pass as a sophomore and replaces Brian Fallace. Pollard finished third in Brevard County in tackles with 129 while defensive linemen Williams and Cedric Barnes combined for 175 tackles and 18 sacks.