Team: Cocoa Tigers
Sunshine State 25 Preseason Ranking: No. 6
Head Coach: John Wilkinson
2014 Record: 11-2
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Look Back On 2014
Since 2007 the Cocoa Tigers have reached at least the state semifinals every season since. Last season was no different with the Tigers falling in a very close game to eventual Class 4A state champion, Booker T. Washington.
Players To Watch
DB Chauncey Gardner, Sr.; QB Bruce Judson, Jr.; OL Jawaan Taylor, Sr.; TE Zach Armour, Sr.; DE Howard Stewart, Soph.; RB Timmy Pratt, Jr.; LB Jekevius Henry, Jr.; OL Naceiya Gilmore, Jr.
The Outlook
With a reported 29 to 30 only on the roster the Cocoa Tigers will be about averaged in size for a Class 4A team, but that is not a worry at all for the Tigers.
Coach Wilkinson did tell us that the team will be very, very young this year, but the youth that is there will come talent. He cites that his defense will be talented and that should be a big plus for the Tigers as team overall.
On the offense, the team will have four starters back on the offensive line including Jawaan Taylor and Naceiva Gilmore and will help protect quarterback Bruce Judson who is going into his third season as the starting quarterback for the Tigers. TE Zach Armour will also be a key part of the offense while the running game will be in the hands of running back Timmy Pratt.
Defense will be lead by defensive back Chauncey Gardner as the senior leader while Jakevious Henry will be the leader of the linebackers. Howard Stewart who is only a sophomore will be an anchor on the defensive line and should be to help put pressure on opposing teams.
Overall, despite the perceived amount of low numbers and some younger talent than normal, things are looking quite nice for the Cocoa Tigers to have another deep playoff run this year.
The District
District 4A-5 this year sees all the same teams as the previous two seasons with the exception of Astronaut dropping down from Class 5A to Class 4A while Space Coast moves up to Class 5A. Still despite the changes, Cocoa is the favorite to win the district still at this time with Jones and Astronaut looking to throw out all the stops to shake up the district.
Three Games To Watch
Friday 9/11 at IMG Academy – Cocoa is one of the few brave teams in the state willing to take on what has become a national powerhouse juggernaut in IMG Academy. Cocoa willing to battle it out among some of the nations top prospects only bolsters the strength of schedule for Cocoa, but if there is a loss to be taken on by the Tigers this year, this would be the one game, but it would be a good loss.
Saturday 10/3 at St. Edward, OH – Cocoa is making a road trip to St. Edward, OH this year and will take on one of the top teams in the nation in this game. Given that Cocoa has gone on the road before and shocked teams, we won’t discount anything out from happening in this game. A win here will certainly guide the Tigers into the back stretch of the schedule without much issue.
Friday 10/23 vs. Astronaut – This game will be worthy to watch as it could be for the district championship – that is if Astronaut is greatly improved. Still no matter what, this is a rivalry game and one that will bring fans out, no matter what the result is out on the field.
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Previous Sunshine State 25 Countdown Stories
No. 7: Booker T. Washington
No. 8: Plantation American Heritage
No. 9: Apopka
N0. 10: Kissimmee Osceola
No. 11: Columbus
No. 12: Oakleaf
No. 13: Dr. Phillips
No. 14: Manatee
No. 15: Armwood
No. 16: Lakeland
No. 17: Niceville
No. 18: Delray American Heritage
No. 19: Dwyer
No. 20: Wakulla
No. 21: Naples
No. 22: Lake Gibson
No. 23: North Marion
No. 24: Palm Bay Heritage
No. 25: Bishop Moore
