No. 16 Merritt Island Mustangs at Viera Hawks
When: Friday, 7:30pm
Where: Viera High School, Melbourne (6103 Stadium Parkway)
TV: BHSN (Channel 47 and HD 1147)
Live Streaming: www.bhsnlive.com
Coaches: MI – Jeff McLean (8th, 59-23); V – Kevin Mays (4th, 13-16)
How they match up: An established Brevard County power takes on a program on the rise as BHSN starts the season on the Space Coast. Merritt Island is coming off an 11-1 season which ended with a 34-23 loss to Lake Wales in the 5A region final. Viera was one of only two programs in the state last season to go 8-2 and miss the playoffs. The Hawks return a number of their key players, including wide receiver Tre Nixon, one of the area’s best recruits in the Class of 2016. Merritt Island is looking for a quarterback to replace Nick Smith, who accounted for nearly 2,500 total yards and 24 touchdowns last season. The Mustangs allowed just 12 points per game last year and that unit returns four starters – Peter DeMorat, Chris Matthias, Tucker Bennett and Austin Whaley.
Three stats to know: 1. Merritt Island leads Central Florida schools with 31 all-time playoff appearances; 2. Viera brothers Tre and Devin Nixon combined for 997 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns in 2013; 3. Merritt Island has produced first round draft picks in three major sports. Tight end Derek Brown was a first round selection in the 1992 NFL Draft, forward Will Perdue was selected in the first round of the 1998 NBA Draft and Clint Hurdle was tabbed in the first round of the 1975 MLB Draft.