Palm Bay High football is trying to reclaim its past glory, with head coach Kevin Mays leading a rebuild after a winless 2024 season. The Pirates qualified for 21 of 22 playoffs from 1996-2017, winning titles in 2000 and 2002. Mays said the team's goal is to return to that level. "We don’t like to talk about the past a bunch because these guys get tired of hearing it, but they need to know what this place used to be," Mays said. "That’s our goal, to try to get back to what this place was." The Pirates finished 2-8 in Mays' first year as head coach, but the team is raising its expectations for 2026 after a strong spring camp and summer program. Mays emphasized the need to compete in District 8-3A, which includes Eau Gallie, Merritt Island, Rockledge, Astronaut and Titusville. "My ultimate goal for this place is to win a state championship, but it starts in the district," he said. "We’ve got a very hard district to play in." Last season, Palm Bay started 2-1 but finished with a seven-game losing streak, with each loss by at least 26 points. Mays attributed the struggles to a learning curve with a new system and coaching staff. "The kids were learning me and I think I was still learning them," he said. "We’ve got some experience coming back, but we’re still kind of a young team." The coaching staff includes several former Pirates, adding a layer of familiarity. Mays said the team’s growth hinges on proving they can compete with any opponent. "We need to show up and these guys know that no matter who’s across from us on the field, we can play with whoever," he said. The Pirates open the 2026 season on Aug. 26 against Cocoa Ridge.