It was a dream come true, a win to be celebrated. After five years of loss after loss to Booker T. Washington High School, the Cocoa Tigers came up winners of the 4a state semifinal, earning a trip to the state championship game.
“We’ve been doing it for five years but we finally got that monkey off our back,” said junior linebacker John Smith.
Five years of one win short of states, this Cocoa squad will be able to say they finally broke the streak, beating the team from Miami.
“It’s a dream come true. I’m just at a loss for words for it.”
But now, it’s time for the Tigers to put the dream win behind them, and get back to work, facing Bolles in the state championship game in Orlando on December 8th.
“Beating Booker T. that is great, but that is just one extra step and we want to take all the steps,” said Coach John Wilkinson.
On the first day back at practice, Coach Wilkinson reminded his players the job isn’t done. “Don’t come out here and just be happy where we are,” said Coach during a pre-practice speech.
Senior quarterback Bruce Judson understands the need to get back to work fast. “Now we just have to change the focus and really be prepared, because we are playing a pretty good Bolles team,” said Judson.
It’ll be the Tigers first state championship appearance since winning three in a row back in 2008, 2009 and 2010. Back before Booker T took it to them for five years straight.
“Our city of Cocoa, this is everything for us,” said Smith. “A state championship, that’s everything for us.”