Mariner senior running back Keishon Key (23) fights through a tackle during the Tritons' game against Palm Bay Friday night. To view more photos from the game, see the Cape Coral Breeze Facebook page. MICHAEL PISTELLA mpistella@breezenewspapers.com

Mariner High School’s football season came to an end Friday night as the Tritons dropped their playoff play-in game to Palm Bay Magnet High School (Melbourne) 34-0.

Trouble moving the ball on offense paired with six turnovers saw Mariner (3-5) struggle to fight back from a deficit all night.

“We were fully prepared for a tough game. We knew it was going to be a battle,” said Mariner head coach Josh Nicholson. “When you turn the ball over as many times as we did tonight, you’re not going to find success — it’s simple football.”

Friday’s Class 5A Region 3 and 4 playoff game was Palm Bay’s (1-6) first win of the year. The Pirates played a complete game on this night and due to COVID-19, played an unusual schedule against some of the top teams in the state.

“Our county-only schedule put us against some of the best in the state,” said Palm Bay head coach Dwayne Byrd. “It took a toll on us mentally. But our goal was to hang tight and be playing good football by the end of the season. I’m just happy our kids are having fun, playing the sport, and it’s going to trend in the right direction at the end.”

Mariner senior Detrentis Doston (7) tries to find running room during the Tritons' game against Palm Bay Friday night. To view more photos from the game, see the Cape Coral Breeze Facebook page. MICHAEL PISTELLA mpistella@breezenewspapers.com

Mariner tried to find an early edge with an onside kick to start the game that caught the Pirates off guard but the ball tumbled out of bounds.

The first three possessions of the game all resulted in turnovers. Palm Bay fumbled on their opening drive and Mariner fumbled it right back just two plays later. On the Pirates’ second possession, Triton defensive back Wesley Walden intercepted quarterback Michael Petite. Mariner was unable to turn the opportunity into a score and punted back to the road team.

A few drives later, Mariner attempted to take an early lead but were unsuccessful on a field goal try.

On the Tritons’ following possession after a Palm Bay punt, senior utility man Nick Longo fumbled a reception that was returned down to Mariner’s 6-yard line.

A few plays later senior running back and one-time Florida State commit Keyshawn Spencer put his head down for a 4-yard touchdown run.

On the opening drive of the second half, the Tritons put together their best series of the night, running 17 plays before Longo was stopped at the goal line on a fourth down attempt from the 2.

A 58-yard gallop by Spencer (who finished with 144 yards rushing and a score) set up Palm Bay for their second touchdown. This time Petite took it around the left side from 3 yards out to give the Pirates a 13-0 advantage.

On the ensuing possession, a Garner toss to a receiver was deemed a backward pass and picked up by Chartavion Johnson-Perry and taken 10 yards to the house to extend the lead to 19-0.

Palm Bay’s next score also came via the defense as Garner was intercepted by Matthew Blackmon who returned it 70 yards to the end zone.

The Pirates’ final score of the night saw Axzavian Alexander scamper 60 yards in garbage time.

“We stiffened things up on defense and thought we had a good game plan,” Byrd said. “We were a little worried about a couple of their guys so we really focused in the film room. They are well-coached.”

Despite the loss, Nicholson is proud of the way his team fought all year and learned a lot as a first-year head coach.

“I’m proud of the way our kids played,” Nicholson said. “They played their tails off for four quarters and had each other’s back. That’s all you can ask for, we just have to execute better.

“It’s been a hell of a year. I wouldn’t want it any other way — all the stuff we’ve gone through. I feel like we’ve been thorough it all, but I’m sure there’s more surprises for us.”

Triton seniors Keishon Key (88 all-purpose yards) and Detrentis Doston (54 all-purpose yards) and Longo fought for every yard all night on offense while the defense kept Mariner in the game for as long as possible.

“Our defense has been great all year,” Nicholson said. “They play assignment football, and everybody does their job. Our offense put them in some tough positions (tonight), but I’m proud of the way we played. We had as much energy on the first snap as the last.”

Palm Bay will take on powerhouse American Heritage next week in a quarterfinal matchup.

–Connect with this reporter on Twitter: @haddad_cj

1 2 3 4 F

Palm Bay 0 7 6 21 34

Mariner 0 0 0 0 0

2nd Quarter

PB: Keyshawn Spencer 5-yard run (Elijah Naidas kick), 3:35

3rd Quarter

PB: Michael Petite 3-yard run (kick failed), 1:38

4th Quarter

PB: Chartavion Johnson-Perry 10-yard fumble return (kick failed), 10:43

PB: Matthew Blackmon 70-yard interception return (Naidas kick). 5:26

PB: Axzavian Alexander 60-yard run (2-point good), 2:24