Palmetto Tigers want to compete with the best around

PALMETTO, FLORIDA – Palmetto head coach Dave Marino isn’t about making anything easy for his Tigers football program.

Some would look at last season’s 5-6 with questions about finishing under the .500 mark, but take a look deeper into Palmetto’s 2021 regular season schedule and you’ll see the Tigers faced some of the state’s top teams. From Venice (2021 Class 8A champions) to Lakewood (Class 4A state semifinalists) to the season ending game versus Tampa Bay Tech (Class 7A state runner-up), the Tigers were battle tested.

Palmetto didn’t shy away from making sure their spring was challenging as well, with the Tigers facing off against 2021 Class 6A champion Jesuit, losing 45-23. Despite the loss, Marino felt like his team expected more out of themselves and could’ve played much better than they displayed.

“Our guys were not happy with our performance in the spring simply because we spend so much time on ball security and to have three turnovers is very uncharacteristic of a Palmetto football team,” Marino said. “But it was a great learning tool and measuring stick to go against a state championship in Jesuit.”

The Tigers will go into the season with a signal caller that has a full year under his belt as a starting freshman in quarterback Zander Smith. The sophomore is coming off a 1,509 yard, 11-touchdown campaign last year and will be surrounded by some talented receivers. Marino points to receivers Zymarion ‘Nooka’ Lang, Malique Callaway, Rok Lodge, Adonis Moise and tight end Kyle Nemzak to watch for on offense.

“The main difference this year from last is coming into the season with an experienced quarterback with such outstanding physical attributes, along with a wide receiving corps of all returning starters as well,” Marino said. “We also have experience at every level on our defense with defensive line Andrew Rumph, linebacker Kyrie Marshall, defensive backs Jayden Dunbar and Jamil Williams.”

Palmetto hasn’t made any bones about facing competition again in 2022, with the Tigers kicking off the season versus Gibbs and also facing teams like Braden River, Sarasota Riverview, Clearwater Academy International and Venice. Though the team has faced some adversity with transfers out, Marino states his staff will coach up whomever sticks around at Palmetto and still take home titles.

“Our goals are the same every year and that is to compete and win championships,” Marino added. “We have district championships the last three years in a row and were region champions in 2019 and 2020.”

“In this time we live in, I think everyone is affected by transfers. Our staff has always told our kids if they didn't like how we do things here at Palmetto High School and they wanted to leave feel free to go and we'll coach up the next guy and still win championships.”

Andy Villamarzo can be reached at andyvillamarzo@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @Andy_Villamarzo.