The final week of regular season football in Brevard County did not disappoint. Besides the 41st edition of the Barbecue Bowl that saw Cocoa beat Rockledge 41-34, there were some other matchups that got people’s attention, including the shootout between Eau Gallie and Viera, and the Satellite Scorpions win over Astronaut, giving them the Division 2 title.
Satellite 27, Astronaut 7
Gage Malkin passed for two touchdowns, leading the Satellite Scorpions (6-0) to a 27-7 victory over the Astronaut War Eagles in a battle of undefeated teams. Malkin found Gunnar Greenwald five minutes into the second quarter to give his team a 7-0 lead. A 3-yard Achaia Jones run made it 14-0.
Malkin’s second touchdown pass went to Danny Colby from 43 yards out and the lead swelled to 20-0. A Garrett Tantius run of 23 yards made it 27-0 before Abreon Torres finally got the War Eagles (5-1) on the board with a 75-yard run.
Eau Gallie 35, Viera 28
The Eau Gallie Commodores (4-3) watched an early convincing lead disappear before a fourth-quarter touchdown by TJ Johnson covering 19 yards gave him Eau Gallie’s last touchdown of the night, and it was enough to hand the Hawks their first loss of the season.
Johnson scored the first touchdown of the night for the Commodores as well, with a 98-yard opening kickoff return. Jamari Nelson and Cade Ross hooked up for a 1-yard and 29-yard touchdown in the second and third quarters, making it 21-0.
CJ Simms found Zak Sedaros to make it 21-6 in the third quarter and Viera (4-1) used that as momentum as they scored 22 fourth-quarter points, but Johnson’s touchdown in the middle of the quarter put the Commodores up 14, and it was just enough.
Palm Bay 34, Mariner 0 (Class 5A, Region 4 Playoff Game)
The Palm Bay Pirates got their first win of the season on Friday and it couldn’t have come at a better time. They rolled Mariner in the opening round of the playoffs.
Keyshawn Spencer, 1-yard) Michael Petite (3-yards), and Axzavian Alexander (60 yards) all scored on the ground and Chartavion Johnson-Perry had a fumble return. Matthew Blackmon had a 70-yard pick-6.
The Pirates will play American Heritage in the second round next week.
Holy Trinity 28, Space Coast 6
Davin Wydner had touchdown passes to Day Day Farmer and Carlos Estranza, leading his Tigers (4-3) to a 28-6 win over the Vipers (2-4). Wydner also had a five-yard run, capping the scoring for Holy Trinity.
Bayside 41, Heritage 0
The Bears (3-4) steamrolled past Heritage (1-6) in the final week of the season, due in large part to Justus Durant’s three touchdown runs. Durant also had a 60-yard pick-6 in the third quarter. He was joined by Donnie Cullen, who brought one back 65 yards.
Gino Abbruzzese also had a 10-yard scamper in this one.
Other Scores: Merritt Island 45, MCC 0; Titusville 34, Cocoa Beach 11; Oak Hill 34, MIC 12