QB Jason Spicer, defense ease Palmetto to preseason win at Booker

The biggest play for Palmetto during its preseason classic against Sarasota Booker on Friday began by going backward. Jason Spicer Jr., making only his third start at quarterback for the Tigers, backpedaled while the Booker defense made its way around the offensive line.

Spicer, who was a wide receiver for Palmetto last fall, leaned to his right, preparing to run. Anchored by a pair of players with Division I offers, the Tornado defensive line reacted. Spicer took another step back. The play was broken. He scanned quickly, then ran.

The junior took off to the left, scrambling for 18 yards and picking up another 15 when he drew a late hit.

“I played quarterback in little league and I was doing that all my life, so I’m going to continue to do it,” Spicer said. “I watched Michael Vick highlights all the time. I’ve pretty much always been a runner.”

The Tigers will be a different team this fall than in 2015 when Jack Allison, an Under Armour All-American, stood in the pocket and slung passes down the sidelines for PHS’ pro-style offense.

The winning template will instead involve a quarterback making plays with his legs and a defense keeping Palmetto within striking range until the rushing attack can break off some good plays.

The Tigers executed its template to near perfection during its preseason game in Sarasota, blowing out Booker, 39-8, at Booker High School. Spicer carried the ball 11 times for 66 yards and two touchdowns, and he completed 5 of 8 passes for 61 yards and a touchdown. The Palmetto defense intercepted the Tornadoes three times and held Booker’s starters to 106 yards before the Tornadoes subbed out starting quarterback Arthur Brantley midway through the second quarter.

And with the removal of one defensive lapse early during the second quarter Booker’s starters managed only 13 total yards.

Two plays after Spicer executed a read option to score a 10-yard touchdown and give Palmetto a 15-0 lead, the Tigers defense bit on one of Brantley’s. The quarterback faked to his left and the PHS defense followed. The right side of the field opened up and Brantley dashed 93 yards for the Tornadoes’ only touchdown.

Booker entered halftime with only 86 yards.

“Our kids had a fight,” head coach Dave Marino said. “They had a heavyweight fight. Albeit 5A, it was still a heavyweight fight. They’ve got a lot of playmakers. They’ve got athletes, so I thought it was a good test and the kids rose to the occasion.”

It gave Spicer breathing room in a his first start after a full summer of preparing to play quarterback. Palmetto traded three-and-outs with the Tornadoes before Andrew Osborne picked off Brantley for the first time. Spicer took over at the goal line and snuck in on the next play to give the Tigers a 6-0 lead. Booker’s next possession ended with a sack and safety by defensive lineman Zach Wyatt. Palmetto had already scored twice before picking up a first down.

By Palmetto’s next drive, Spicer was comfortable enough to guide Palmetto 37 yards and into the end zone on a read option. And by the second half, he was finally ready to show off his arm.

The Tigers kept the offense simple for Spicer, letting him buy time with his legs and throw short passes to the middle of the field. Palmetto will do its damage after the catch, which was how Spicer connected for his lone touchdown pass. He rolled to his left until Isiah Washington got open about a dozen yards in front of him. He floated a pass to the junior who ran the rest of the way for a 29-yard touchdown a rapidly-growing 25-8 lead.

This story was originally published August 20, 2016 at 12:11 AM with the headline "QB Jason Spicer, defense ease Palmetto to preseason win at Booker."