Cocoa Tigers

Head coach: John Wilkinson (12th, 121-24)

Last year: 10-3 – 1st in 4A, District 5

Last playoff appearance: 2015 – lost to Miami Booker T. Washington 33-14 in state semifinals

Key Players: QB Bruce Judson, ATH Javian Hawkins, DL Ian Newton, RB Timmy Pratt, RB Lasedrick King, ATH Zach Beagle, DL Davonte Bartley, DL Howard Stewart

The Scoop: The Tigers have set a new standard of success in Brevard County. Cocoa has reached at least the state semifinals nine straight years and is heavily favored to get there again this season. The Tigers return 17 starters from a team that lost to eventual state champ Booker T. Washington in the state semifinals. Cocoa benefitted from 10 transfers, many of whom are competing for starting positions. USF commit Bruce Judson is entering his fourth year as the starting quarterback and is the most experienced signal caller in Central Florida. Cocoa, which normally fields a small roster, projects to have more depth this season. They’ll need it given a challenging schedule, which begins with two nationally ranked opponents – Jacksonville Trinity Christian on Aug. 28 and Bishop Gorman from Las Vegas on Sep. 2.  


Quotable:
“That’s all we talk about around here is winning states, states cause most teams love to go to the semifinals but we want to win that ring.” -Newton

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Expectations are different for Cocoa.

“Most teams are good with a winning season, but a winning season is winning state,” junior Javian Hawkins said. “We don’t care about semifinals.”

The Tigers last won a state championship in 2010.

Since then, the Tigers have lost in the semifinals five years in a row. All of those defeats have come against the same opponent – Miami’s Booker T. Washington, winner of the last four state championships.

“We work hard and we want to be number one and so to have the disappointment of not making it where we want to be is tough,” Cocoa coach John Wilkinson said.

This season could be different.

The Tigers return 17 starters and added 10 transfers. That combination gives the Tigers one of their most talented teams ever – and everyone is motivated to get Cocoa back to the top.

“The intensity level is way up there and you always have to be going, going, going, no breaks,” senior defensive lineman Ian Newton said.  

Said senior offensive lineman Nacieya Gilmore: “Coach Wilk just makes that standard, sets the bar high so going to the state semifinals doesn’t do anything unless we’re actually in Orlando with a ring and a medal around our neck.”

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SCHEDULE:

8/28 vs. Trinity Christian

9/2 at Bishop Gorman (Nev.)

9/16 vs. Lake Highland Prep*

9/23 at Viera

9/30 vs. Rockhurst (Mo.)

10/7 vs. Mainland

10/14 vs. Jones*

10/21 at Astronaut*

10/28 at Atlantic

*4A-5 game