Cocoa Beach Looking For Positive Change

To say that Cocoa Beach High is going to be a busy place this summer is an understatement. As first year head football coach <strong>Ben Waldrop</strong> takes over a program that had not been known for its football teams over the years, he accepted the position with the belief that his experience and the knowledge of what the entire Space Coast is all about, will be a huge asset. Remember, the Minutemen are 6-23 over the past three plus years, including 0-9 this past season – and while the pandemic was not kind to anyone, this program did not have a great season. Using Satellite as a perfect example, things can turn around – and when you know the game and the players, and surround yourself with coaches and a support staff that work year round – positive things do happen. What Coach Waldrop will do is start from scratch, using athletes who are hungry to win, and add to that every year. Like so many teams in Florida, the next three months will be so vital moving forward. <strong>CLASS OF 2022 WILL BE NEEDED</strong> The rising senior (2022) class will be the place that the Minutemen will start in getting this program on the right course. Among some of the prospects to keep an eye on include <strong>Shayde Gilbertson</strong> (OL/DL, 5-11 – 3.54 GPA, 810 SAT), <strong>Liam Hastings</strong> (QB/LB, 5-11, 175 – 3.078 GPA, 930 SAT), <strong>Gavin Hodge</strong> (FB/LB, 6-1, 195 – 3.595 GPA, 1110 SAT), <strong>Eddie Pickens</strong> (OL/DL, 5-9, 265 – 2.705 GPA, 600 PSAT), <strong>Brenton Smith</strong> (OL, 6-0, 245 – 2.534 GPA – 1140 SAT) and versatile <strong>Sean Westner</strong> (K/Athlete, 5-8, 150 – 2.647, 880 SAT). <strong>UNDERCLASS DEPTH IS IMPORTANT</strong> What the senior class lends in leadership and important experience, the underclassmen will also be vital in the growth and maturity of this program. Class of 2023 rising juniors such as <strong>Khristian Boulton</strong> (OL/DL, 5-10, 210 – 1090 PSAT), <strong>Otto Cerveny</strong> (OL/DL, 5-11, 195 – 3.88 GPA, 1060 PSAT), <strong>Payton Ellis </strong>(QB/RB/S, 6-0, 175), <strong>Mitchell McNeely</strong> (RB/S/LB, 5-11, 205 – 3.454 GPA, 890 PSAT) and <strong>Maddox Murrin</strong> (RB/DB, 5-6, 135 – 3.681 GPA, 860 PSAT) will be very important this summer. So will Class of 2024 rising sophomores <strong>Elijah Carbajal</strong> (DL) and <strong>Goni Leon </strong>(Athlete/Kicker, 3.29 GPA) as well as other prospects who join the program this summer. <strong>PHOTO COURTESY OF COCOA BEACH HIGH FOOTBALL</strong> <strong><em>You Can Contact [player_tooltip player_id="111610" first="Larry" last="Blustein"] with prospect or team information at: Floridakids1@aol.com. We are also on Social Media on @PrepRedzonefl.</em></strong>