Rockledge’s Early Exit Drives 2020 Team
After being eliminated from the state playoffs early in 2019, Rockledge is back and looking to finish what was started last season.
Make no mistake, Rockledge is going to be a factor every year for a run at the state playoffs.
If this team needed any extra added incentive heading into this season, all they have to do is go back to last year – when the Raiders were stunned in the first round of the 5A state playoffs – and that was indeed a huge wake-up call.
This team went from a favorite to reach Daytona to one that was left wondering what went wrong, and with the pandemic, that was a long time to ponder that loss.
This season, the roster is loaded with talent, experience and play-makers, and while a few gifted football players from last year have moved on, there are enough prospects to once again look at another state crown.
If this team is going to finish the business they started last year, plenty has to fall into place, but they are indeed ready this time around.
Despite losing to 4A rival Cocoa in the BBQ Bowl, 45-34, this team is 5-1, heading into the state playoffs. In addition to losing their first game on Friday night, the Raiders have taken care of business against Palm Bay (41-0), Melbourne (40-0), Palm Bay Bayside (35-7), Palm Bay Heritage (54-7) and Viera (41-18).
THE RAIDERS FILE
SCHOOL: Rockledge High
HEAD COACH: Wayne Younger
2020 RECORD: 5-1
CLASSIFICATION: 5A
RAIDERS TO WATCH IN 2020
2021 – Elias Allen, QB
2023 – Phineas Allen, CB
2022 – Preston Ault, OL
2022 –
Rian Black
Rian
Black
6'0" | 190 lbs | WR/TE
Rockledge | 2022
State
FL
, WR
2022 – Rayne Brownlee, DB
2021 – Keishawne Cooper, DE
2022 – Jarvis Daniels, OL
2022 – Lucas Diaz, OL
2023 – Jaquaveon Jackson, DE
2024 – Daviyon Hawkins, NG
2021 – Kato Holmes, OLB
2021 – Jalen Housey, RB/Slot
2021 – Jeremiah Housey, WR/DB
2022 – Twan Jenkins, DB
2022 – Rikhari Lewis, LB
2021 – Jordan Love, DE
2023 – Bryce Lovett, OT
2021 –
Zachary Lovett
Zachary
Lovett
6'2" | 230 lbs | LB
Rockledge | 2021
State
FL
, OLB
2022 – Virgil Marshall, S
2023 – Jody Maynard, RB
2023 – Terrance Neal, DB
2021 – Bryce Norton, QB/WR
2021 –
Raheim Sanders
Raheim
Sanders
6'2" | 215 lbs | WR
Rockledge | 2021
State
FL
, WR
2021 – Avery Smith, RB
2022 – Daryl Smith, S
2021 –
Kenard Snyder
Kenard
Snyder
6'1" | 225 lbs | LB
Rockledge | 2021
FL
, OLB
2021 – Jontavious Thomas, LB
2021 – Jacen Waters, DB
You Can Contact Larry Blustein with prospect or team information at: Foridakids1@aol.com. We are also on Social Media on @PrepRedzonefl.
If this team needed any extra added incentive heading into this season, all they have to do is go back to last year – when the Raiders were stunned in the first round of the 5A state playoffs – and that was indeed a huge wake-up call.
This team went from a favorite to reach Daytona to one that was left wondering what went wrong, and with the pandemic, that was a long time to ponder that loss.
This season, the roster is loaded with talent, experience and play-makers, and while a few gifted football players from last year have moved on, there are enough prospects to once again look at another state crown.
If this team is going to finish the business they started last year, plenty has to fall into place, but they are indeed ready this time around.
Despite losing to 4A rival Cocoa in the BBQ Bowl, 45-34, this team is 5-1, heading into the state playoffs. In addition to losing their first game on Friday night, the Raiders have taken care of business against Palm Bay (41-0), Melbourne (40-0), Palm Bay Bayside (35-7), Palm Bay Heritage (54-7) and Viera (41-18).
THE RAIDERS FILE
SCHOOL: Rockledge High
HEAD COACH: Wayne Younger
2020 RECORD: 5-1
CLASSIFICATION: 5A
RAIDERS TO WATCH IN 2020
2021 – Elias Allen, QB
2023 – Phineas Allen, CB
2022 – Preston Ault, OL
2022 –
Rian Black
Rian
Black
6'0" | 190 lbs | WR/TE
Rockledge | 2022
State
FL
, WR
2022 – Rayne Brownlee, DB
2021 – Keishawne Cooper, DE
2022 – Jarvis Daniels, OL
2022 – Lucas Diaz, OL
2023 – Jaquaveon Jackson, DE
2024 – Daviyon Hawkins, NG
2021 – Kato Holmes, OLB
2021 – Jalen Housey, RB/Slot
2021 – Jeremiah Housey, WR/DB
2022 – Twan Jenkins, DB
2022 – Rikhari Lewis, LB
2021 – Jordan Love, DE
2023 – Bryce Lovett, OT
2021 –
Zachary Lovett
Zachary
Lovett
6'2" | 230 lbs | LB
Rockledge | 2021
State
FL
, OLB
2022 – Virgil Marshall, S
2023 – Jody Maynard, RB
2023 – Terrance Neal, DB
2021 – Bryce Norton, QB/WR
2021 –
Raheim Sanders
Raheim
Sanders
6'2" | 215 lbs | WR
Rockledge | 2021
State
FL
, WR
2021 – Avery Smith, RB
2022 – Daryl Smith, S
2021 –
Kenard Snyder
Kenard
Snyder
6'1" | 225 lbs | LB
Rockledge | 2021
FL
, OLB
2021 – Jontavious Thomas, LB
2021 – Jacen Waters, DB
You Can Contact Larry Blustein with prospect or team information at: Foridakids1@aol.com. We are also on Social Media on @PrepRedzonefl.
