PALMETTO TIGERS
Palmetto believes it finally has the size to seriously contend at the Class 7A level and a quick glance at the center of the Tiger lines gives cursory confirmation. No one stands out more than Rodshon Williams, a 6-foot-2, 305-pound behemoth of a defensive tackle. He’s tantalizing as a prospect — already gathering offers from Eastern Kentucky, Massachusetts and Liberty — and one of Palmetto’s four captains. He didn’t, however, get his first choice at a jersey number.
Before the Tigers took the field for their spring game against St. Petersburg, the defensive lineman whose Twitter handle is @BeGreat_90 had to swap out his preferred number for a No. 52 shirt. PHS needed him to play offense, too.
“We felt like I could do both sides of the ball,” Williams said.
Williams could be the most important two-way player in Manatee County this season. He’s the piece, at left guard, Palmetto hopes can put its offensive line over the top and the focal point of a defense which PHS will be forced to lean on considering the amount of overturn on offense.
“We have a lot of depth on the defensive line,” head coach Dave Marino said. “We felt like we could always rotate guys at defensive line, but we felt like we needed to have continuity on a day-to-day basis. He gave us that. He solidified that for us.”
DB to watch
Mike Collins, Jr.
Palmetto is touting its secondary as the deepest in the county, and versatility is the key. Collins, who was the Tigers’ No. 2 cornerback opposite second-team All-Area defensive back Isyah Funk, will spend more time at safety with two transfers coming in to man the corners. At 5-10, Collins has the range to cover the middle and the bulk to contribute against the run.
Impact newcomer
Derrick Bradley, Jr., DB
Palmetto landed Bradley and former Braden River defensive back Desmine Ross in the span of a few days during the summer and quickly began touting itself as “DBU.” Bradley’s arrival, in particular, should provide a boost. He led the Southeast secondary last year with three forced fumbles, two blocked kicks, three interceptions and one sack.
At a glance
Herald’s forecast: 5-5
Palmetto missed the postseason for the first time under head coach Dave Marino despite a wealth of offensive talent. The Tigers play in one of the state's toughest districts and could put together another winning season, but with Braden River and Venice still among the state's best a postseason return is far from guaranteed. The difference this year, though, is PHS gets the Pirates and Indians at home. Palmetto will have to steal at least one of those games at Harllee Stadium to get back to the playoffs.
Deep at: Offensive line
Thin at: Skill positions
Head coach: Dave Marino
Career: Seventh year, 42-26, five playoffs appearances (4-5 record)
2016 schedule
A26 | Fort Myers |
S2 | at Manatee |
S9 | Southeast |
S16 | at Sarasota* |
S23 | at Bayshore |
S30 | Lakewood Ranch* |
O14 | at North Port* |
O21 | Braden River* |
O28 | Venice* |
N4 | at Punta Gorda Charlotte |
Games start at 7:30 p.m.
* — Class 7A-District 11 game
2015 results
at Fort Myers W, 31-21 |
Manatee L, 36-35 |
at Southeast W, 28-0 |
Sarasota W, 28-20 |
Bayshore W, 35-0 |
at Lakewood Ranch W, 44-14 |
North Port W, 44-7 |
at Braden River L, 35-0 |
at Venice L, 45-10 |
Punta Gorda Charlotte L, 28-3 |
This story was originally published August 25, 2016 at 5:12 PM with the headline "PALMETTO TIGERS."