2015 Preview Guide: Top Rivalries in the East Coast Region

Football along the East Coast of Florida has long been hold to some of the best rivalries around the state. No matter if it is Martin County vs. South Fork in the Martin Bowl or Vero Beach vs. Fort Pierce Central trying to be the best and win a district game, rivalries is what brings out the fans out to the game each Friday night during the season.

Fort Pierce Central vs. Vero Beach

Rivalry Name: N/A
Series: Vero Beach leads 20-13
Next Meeting: October 30 at Lawnwood Stadium, Fort Pierce
Our Take: This series has been played almost every season going back to when Fort Pierce Central opened in 1970. For the first years in the series, Fort Pierce Central dominated the series until Vero Beach came back on cruise control in the 1980’s. The rivalry over the last few years has gone back and forth between Vero Beach and Fort Pierce Central and has been a deciding factor for District 8A-8 title since 2013. As such we seen no reason fans won’t get another great game out of both teams this season.

Results over the last five seasons:
2014: Vero Beach 31, Fort Pierce Central 24
2013: Fort Pierce Central 27, Vero Beach 21
2012: Fort Pierce Central 21, Vero Beach 17
2011: Vero Beach 35, Fort Pierce Central 28
2010: Did not play

Melbourne Central Catholic vs. John Carroll

Rivalry Name: N/A
Series: Tied at 24-24
Next Meeting: October 16 at John Carroll
Our Take: Small school rivalry at its finest for the East Coast. Both teams, which met for the first time back in the early 1960’s when John Carroll was called called Central catholic themselves, has long been not just a source of pride, but one that could tip the district balance one way or another. This year as both teams are in the three-team, District 3A-3, this game will mean more than just a rivalry; it could mean playoff positioning for both teams.

Results over the last five seasons:
2014: Melbourne Central Catholic 22, John Carroll 19
2013: Met in kickoff classic, does not count on series record
2012: Did not play
2011: Melbourne Central Catholic 59, John Carroll 32
2010: Melbourne Central Catholic 42, John Carroll 21

Okeechobee vs. Martin County

Rivalry Name: N/A
Series: Martin County leads 35-22-3
Next meeting: September 11 at Martin County
Our Take: While both teams have struggled the last few seasons, one thing is for certain that rivalry games still can make the season bright. As of one of the oldest rivalries anywhere along the East Coast Region, both schools know that bragging rights for the rest of the school year on the line. The last two seasons alone have been dramatic as the games have been decided by a touchdown or less.

Results over the last five seasons:
2014: Martin County 10, Okeechobee 3
2013: Martin County 16, Okeechobee 14
2012: Okeechobee 38, Martin County 23
2011: Martin County 45, Okeechobee 0
2010: Martin County 47, Okeechobee 0

Astronaut vs. Titusville

Rivalry Name: N/A
Series: Astronaut leads 30-13
Next meeting: September 25 at Astronaut
Our Take: A crosstown rivalry that dates back to when both schools shared Draa Field in Titusville before both schools got stadiums of their own at their respective school campuses. While the War Eagles have had a grip for a while on the Terriers, Titusville finally broke through to stop Astronaut’s winning streak on them this past season.

Results over the last five seasons:
2014: Titusville 21, Astronaut 16
2013: Astronaut 21, Titusville 14
2012: Astronaut 50, Titusville 15
2011: Astronaut 13, Titsuville 10
2010: Astronaut 35, Titusville 28

Cocoa vs. Astronaut

Rivalry Name: N/A
Series: Astronaut leads 21-15
Next meeting: October 23 at Cocoa
Our Take: This rivalry has been one keeping an eye on for both teams whether they have played each other in non-district contest or has decided playoff positioning for both teams over the years. As Astronaut comes into the same district with Cocoa for the first time in several years, this game will have it all and the War Eagles will certainly try to find a way to knock the Tigers off their perch.

Results over the last five seasons:
2014: Cocoa 49, Astronaut 14
2013: Cocoa 14, Astronaut 7
2012: Did not play
2011: Did not play
2010: Cocoa 34, Astronaut 0

Martin County vs. South Fork

Rivalry Name: Martin Bowl
Series: Martin County leads 16-15
Next meeting: October 2 at South Fork
Our Take: Both teams have been fierce rivals since South Fork opened up in the 1980’s and taking up some of Martin County’s student population. As such the rivalry is one that fans of both teams circle on the calendar every year. Over the last few seasons, the results of the game have gone back and forth and as such as resulted in such a tight series record. For this season, with both teams back in the same district for the first time in over four years, this will not only just be for pride, it will have postseason implications as well.

Results over the last five years:
2014: South Fork 27, Martin County 6
2013: Martin County 29, South Fork 27\
2012: South Fork 46, Martin County 0
2011: Martin County 26, South Fork 12
2010: Martin County 14, South Fork 7

Honorable Mention: Palm Bay & Melbourne, Heritage & Bayside, Palm Bay & Heritage; Melbourne & Viera; Vero Beach & Sebastian River, Cocoa Beach & Satellite; Melbourne & Eau Gallie; Eau Gallie & Satellite, Cocoa & Rockledge

Special Note: Thanks to Florida High School Football historian Richard Burton for some of the information on the series records involving some of the rivalry games listed.