Drogo

Maybe people feel coaching favors Deland, although all of the factors you stated definitely are in TC’s favor.

Wasn’t solved last week vs Heritage, the pieces are there, but they have been playing uninspired individual football all year.

You are absolutely correct, Vero is still playing with a lack of fire and cohesiveness, and to me (and others watching last night) look like they could care less to be out there, win or lose- I heard a couple guys near me talking about it and his young son commented to the group "maybe they just want to go home and play video games." Perhaps truer words have never been spoken. I don't know how Coach J can find any new ways to motivate this group this season, nothing has seemed to work as of yet, but if playing a second round playoff game against your current rival who embarrassed you 3 weeks prior to win the district doesn't motivate you, I don't know what will.

Funny thing is that Vero has woefully underused him this season and the majority of his playing time has come during garbage time. They have chosen to use their returning sophmore back as their featured back, but Osby has made the most of his limited touches, and his talent is undeniable. He should see more opportunities this week as the sophomore back was hurt last week and taken to the hospital, so I doubt he will be back this week.

And just like that, Travis Moore has been let go…

Vero got plenty of transfers since then as well, but they have NOT gelled as a team and I also see Heritage winning the rematch. Vero still looks very much lost as a unit.

I have to agree, this whole season I seems as though it’s been, “when they gel as a team, they’ll be dangerous”- but it never happened, plenty of talent there, but it seems like a bunch of football players put together wearing the same jersey, but no team chemistry at all.

Shot in the dark- as I was not at the game, nor did I see any recaps as to how well they hung with Cocoa

Titusville?

Everyone see's it, my personal observation is that is seems like many are less concerned with winning a game and more concerned with producing dynamic content for their recruiting tapes if that makes sense.

Listening to the game- according to the radio guys: the coaching staff is aware of the effort/intensity/cohesiveness issues that have plagued Vero all season, and apparently tore into the players at halftime despite them being up 30-6. It didn’t seem to help as they still played with the same in the second half. on a side note: I don’t know why Vero isn’t using the Palm Bay transfer Octavion Osby more, he’s a senior, runs hard and make the most of his limited opportunities. For some reason they chose to primarily use the sophomore Hillsman as their featured back.

Sebastian River

I was impressed with Heritage in spring vs Vero, thought they had the look of a playoff team, agree with your assessment of 2nd, maybe 3rd round exit.

What's most impressive to me about TC is how Coach Irvin Jones has gotten these kids to buy into the programs philosophy. While most of the talk this offseason around here was about Vero due to their transfers, stadium renovation, etc, TC just stayed quiet and went about their business. Due to their style of play, you would expect they would lose kids to places where they can shine offensively, but they don't seem to lose any kids to transfer, nor do they seem to get a overwhelming amount transferring in. They are for the most part "home grown" talent that they seem to pull the most out of. They have in recent years become Vero's main rival, although there is not a hate amongst either side that I can see, rather a healthy respect on both ends. The past 4 years the district championship (2 wins a piece) was decided by this game and I expect this year will be no different, especially now that the game has been moved to one of the last weeks of the year before the playoffs start.

TC is certainly surprising everyone this season, myself included. They still have STA, Cocoa and Vero yet, but very impressive nonetheless.

At this point in the season Vero is not a top 25 team, I know they have a win vs MNW, but that story has been well told, they are playing undisciplined sloppy football and seem very uncharacteristic of Vero Beach team especially on offense. The defense appears stout enough, but the likes of Seminole will expose that I’m afraid. Lots to work on.

TC revamped their offense this year, as they were shut down by Apopka two years ago and by Osceola last year, as evidenced by the 3 passing TD’s against Jesuit. In the past they would go whole games without even attempting a pass, much less have anything for a TD. While the single wing is still the core of their offense, they do switch out of it now from time time. But I am sure it’s nothing the Seminoles haven’t seen before from Apopka.

Game rescheduled to Wednesday at 5pm due to a covid outbreak at Gardens as the PB County school district asked for the reschedule. https://www.wptv.com/sports/local-sports/high-school/covid-19-postpones-palm-beach-gardens-high-school-vs-vero-beach-high-school-football-game https://www.palmbeachpost.com/story/sports/high-school/football/2023/08/31/covid-19-outbreak-postpones-week-2-game-between-palm-beach-gardens-vero-beach/70730092007/

They used to a little, Sebastian just got a kid this year from Vero, a couple of the Sebastian/Fellsmere kids are up at Palm Bay Bayside from what I’ve been told.

They don’t play Vero any longer, the games got out of hand and they pulled out of the series despite the rivalry and being the only two public’s in this county.

Anyone know anything about this program? They knocked off Sebastian River in their first game the program has ever played. Looking at their website it seems as though the school catered towards those with learning disabilities, but maybe they have an open enrollment as well? Regardless, congrats to them on winning in their first ever game. As far as SR, the program has really fallen on hard times, I know Coach Perry has struggled with numbers and the overall interest in the program has dropped which is why they have been independent recently. It’s a far cry from when Nick Saban was landing in a helicopter at their field to see recruits and they were challenging Vero as top dog in this area.

As a fellow Vero fan I have to concur, worst officiating I have ever seen at this level, Northwestern has every right to be upset, here is the final stat line: Miami Northwestern 32 penalties for 243 yards, 4 TDs called back Vero Beach 14 penalties for 115 yards, 1 TD called back I know the officials are assigned from the Treasure Coast official association, so they are not necessarily “Vero” refs, but it somehow seems like it, truly embarrassing, I have never seen a group of officials insert themselves into the game they way they did. I will not provide any examples, as I don’t have time to get into a lengthy back and forth discussion about it, Vero’s games are available on YouTube for all to rewatch if you care to. Vero will have a hard time getting any S Florida power back to here after this.

Until the season progresses a few games, I would say shutting out a defending state champ at their house is better and more impressive than beating a Dwyer team (at home) that has been down the last several years. At this point I would agree with his rankings. I do think Westwood has a chance to be very good this season, but Martin County won't be as good as the were last year. TC should be as good as they were last year, but their schedule is relentless again, so I see them struggling to stay healthy as there is no letup all year.

Santucci left TcPalm a few years ago, he works for the Scripps/USA Today network now and contributes articles across the state, so you'll see his stuff on TCpalm, but also in the Palm Beach Post, Lakeland Ledger, etc. Bryan Cooney is now the Prep reporter for the Tcpalm/Treasure Coast area. I believe the rankings are his.