Cocoa and Florida High Clash Tonight

Many are calling this one of the best games of the first weekend when FSU Florida High puts their unbeaten streak on the line – 10 minutes from their campus – goes against a veteran and talented Cocoa team.

For both coaches, Jarrod Hickman and the Seminoles, and Ryan Schneider and the Tigers, this is a matchup that came about when both teams really played well down the stretch and into the state playoffs.

There is no getting around the fact that the Tigers have had a much more challenging schedule, losing to three quality opponents – including Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas, a 3M finalist, and Orlando Jones who lost in the 3M state semifinals.

For the Seminoles, this is a program that has the talent and understands that tonight’s (7:00) kickoff at Gene Cox Stadium in Tallahassee will be their toughest game of the season. They understand that this program has won more state playoff games than any school in history and have played well on the road.

The 2S finals is pitting the two best teams in the class, and now it’s up to them to go out and prove it.

COCOA TIGERS (10-3)

ORANDO JONES, L 29-19

Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas, L 42-14

COCOA SPACE COAST, W 76-0

Melbourne, W 44-3

Sanford Seminole, L 35-29 (OT)

TITUSVILLE, W 47-0

Titusville Astronaut, W 56-0

Palm Bay, W 35-0

ROCKLEDGE. W 28-20

DUNNELLON, W 52-6

PALM BAY, W 49-3

Bushnell South Sumter, W 35-7

Starke Bradford County, W 31-21

FLORIDA HIGH SEMINOLES (14-0)

OCALA TRINITY CATHOLIC, W 22-19

Ponte Vedra, W 24-13

PERRY TAYLOR COUNTY, W 48-0

HAVANA GADSDEN COUNTY, W 42-0

MADISON COUNTY, W 21-6

QUINCY MUNROE, W 42-7

Tallahassee Godby, W 51-7

Chiefland, W 42-21

Marianna, W 34-7

Tallahassee Lincoln, W, 10-9

SANTA ROSA BEACH SOUTH WALTON, W 63-44

PENSACOLA CATHOLIC, W 18-14

LIVE OAK SUWANNEE, W 38-13

FORT MYERS BISHOP VEROT, W 38-28

MORE EXCITING GAMES COMING YOUR WAY FROM TALLAHASSEE

In addition to this evening’s game, Gene Cox Stadium will host two more contests this weekend.

Here is a look at those matchups:

Class 1-Suburban

STATE FINAL

No. 1 Naples First Baptist (9-2) vs. No. 1 Ocala Trinity Catholic (9-2), Saturday, Dec. 10, 1 p.m. – Gene Cox Stadium, Tallahassee

Class 1-Rural

STATE FINAL

No. 1 Bratt Northview (13-0) vs. No. 1 Hawthorne (11-0), Saturday, Dec. 10, 7 p.m. – Gene Cox Stadium, Tallahassee

CLASS 1M STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

Chaminade-Madonna 48, Clearwater Central Catholic 14. Junior quarterback Cedrick Bailey Cedrick Bailey 6'6" | 185 lbs | QB Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna | 2024 State FL threw for 255 yards and three touchdowns, junior Davion Gause Davion Gause 5'11" | 215 lbs | RB Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna | 2024 State FL ran for 189 yards and three scores as the Lions finished the season 13-0.

In winning for the 25^th time in 26 games, head coach Dameon Jones and his team had nearly 600 yards of offense.

On defense, Jeno Junius had 19 total tackles. Zaquan Patterson Zaquan Patterson 6'0" | 185 lbs | DB Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna | 2024 State FL finished with 10 tackles. Denzel Johnson Denzel Johnson 6'0" | 205 lbs | LB Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna | 2024 FL had 10 tackles and a sack. D’Angelo Ponds D’Angelo Ponds 5'10" | 160 lbs | DB Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna | 2023 FL and Curtis Janvier each had six tackles. Zach Crothers finished with five tackles and a sack.

CLASS OF 2023 RANKINGS. https://prepredzone.com/florida/rankings/2023-rankings/

CLASS OF 2024 RANKINGS. https://prepredzone.com/2022/08/updated-2024-florida-rankings/

You Can Contact Larry Blustein with prospect or team information at: Floridakids1@aol.com