No. 1 – Cocoa Tigers

2016: 11-1, defeated Bolles 31-17 to win 4A state championship

Head Coach: John Wilkinson (13th, 132-25)

Key Players: ATH Javian Hawkins (81 car, 788 yds, 9 TD; 22 rec, 509 yds, 7 TD), LB John Smith (70 tackles, 4 sacks), DL Howard Stewart (61 tackles, 9 sacks), OL Zach Brasher, OL Josh Padrick, LB Zach Beagle (69 tackles), ATH Willie Gaines (Heritage transfer), ATH Rashean Lynn (Titusville transfer), DB Tri-Marea Charles (Titusville transfer)

The Scoop: The defending 4A state champions start this season the same way they ended last year – as Central Florida’s No. 1 team. After five consecutive state semifinals losses against Miami Booker T. Washington, the Tigers finally got past their nemesis then beat Bolles in the 4A title game. It was the fourth state championship in program history.  

Nine starters are back from that team, most notably versatile athlete Javian Hawkins, who accounted for 16 touchdowns and started in the secondary. Hawkins recently committed to Louisville. The biggest challenge offensively will be replacing Bruce Judson, a four-year starter at quarterback. Judson, who signed with Oregon, accounted for 125 touchdowns in his career.

Two defensive stalwarts – linebacker John Smith and defensive lineman Howard Stewart – also return as part of a defense that projects to be better than a season ago. Linebacker Zach Beagle, one tackle shy of leading the team last year, recently committed to Princeton. Dajavon White, who started at defensive tackle as an eighth grader, will join Stewart on the line. Long snapper Clay James is a Miami commit.

For the second consecutive year, the Tigers roster was bolstered by several impact transfers from other schools in Brevard County. That group includes athlete Willie Gaines from Heritage, defensive back Javonn Roberson from Palm Bay along with safety Tri-Marea Charles, linebacker Andreal Curry and athlete Rashean Lynn, all from Titusville.

Quotable: “I hardly ever wear my rings just because I’m trying to get one this year, I don’t care what we did last year.” –Wilkinson

Schedule

Aug. 25 @Jacksonville Trinity Christian

Sep. 1 vs. Treasure Coast

Sep. 8 vs. Dunnellon

Sep. 15 vs. Everglades Prep Academy

Sep. 22 vs. Viera

Sep. 29 vs. International School of Broward

Oct. 6 vs. Mainland

Oct. 20 @Bartram Trail

Oct. 27 vs. Pahokee

Nov. 3 @Rockledge