What did we learn from the spring football games?

Spring football games concluded Friday night with the last three area teams competing.

There was a swan song for an outgoing head coach, while other teams moved forward with their schemes intact as summer workouts and the new transfer policy loom before teams convene for fall practices in August.

So what did we learn?

Braden River: The Pirates crushed a solid St. Petersburg Lakewood team that has playoff potential come the fall. Braden River’s offense was a little sloppy with the wet weather Friday, but the Pirates are going to be electric in the fall. Rising junior Knowledge McDaniel and South Carolina commit Deshaun Fenwick form, arguably, the best one-two punch among area — maybe even the state — backfields. And when one isn’t lined up behind quarterback Bryan Gagg, the other is a dangerous slot receiver. This team has deep playoff potential, especially with a big offensive line opening the holes.

Manatee: The Hurricanes are an unknown moving forward because an overhaul of their system is possible depending on who becomes the next head coach. What is known is the players have a no-quit attitude about them that will help for a playoff push in Class 8A. John Booth’s final game in charge contained a ferocious effort that fell just short against last year’s Class 6A state runners-up, Lakeland Lake Gibson. Manatee’s defense, which was a weakness last fall, held Lake Gibson to 23 points.

Palmetto: The quarterback battle is ongoing, and the Tigers did the expected against an overmatched St. Petersburg Northeast squad. That blowout witnessed a new wrinkle to Palmetto’s developing offense: Jason Spicer Jr. at wide receiver. His dynamic athleticism, coupled with the running game from Johnny Jones and Elijah Davis, means Palmetto has the weapons surrounding its quarterback. The offensive line isn’t as massive as district rival Braden River has, but the Tigers aren’t poor up front. And that’s where they can cause some havoc for a playoff push under the new format.

Southeast: The Seminoles’ defense is returning only four starters, and they gave up 35 points to North Port. That will likely be a focus preparing for the fall, but the good news is Southeast won despite giving up that many points. That’s because quarterback Alex Taylor excelled with receiving targets J.T. Galloway and Clyde Townsend.

Saint Stephen’s: The Falcons are brimming with confidence after defeating a Class 6A program. While St. Petersburg Dixie Hollins isn’t a top-tier 6A program, the Rebels are still a much bigger school. Falcons quarterback Fred Billy, running back Chase Brown and defensive back Sydney Brown are college-prospect playmakers, while Saint Stephen’s defensive front held firm. The addition of former Manatee assistant Steve Gulash to the staff was immediately felt in the way the Falcons manhandled Dixie Hollins in the trenches.

The rest: Lakewood Ranch’s offense sorely missed running back Jay Turner during a difficult 2016 season. Back healthy, the Mustangs showed life on offense, but continued shooting themselves in the foot with pivotal mistakes that cost them in a 19-14 loss to Class 5A Sarasota Booker.

IMG Academy is loaded and as advertised, per usual. The Ascenders’ latest victim was Clermont East Ridge. The game setting was new; IMG opted for intrasquad scrimmages in previous springs. The decision to play a game, though, could help the Ascenders shed their usual slow starts to fall campaigns as players now have game experience with each other.

Bayshore is in safe hands with John Biezuns rebuilding the program. The Bruins scored eight points before their game was suspended. Bayshore didn’t score a point in the 2016 season until its fourth game.

This story was originally published May 20, 2017 at 6:13 PM with the headline "What did we learn from the spring football games?."