Backyard Bowl IX
Last season, Viera Hawks defeated the Rockledge Raiders 38-0 and went on to be the 7A State Runner up, while having its best season ever. Rockledge went on to a 4-6 record and missed the Playoffs for the 3rd consecutive year. The Raiders could right the ship this year with a influx of new talent and the second year under new Coach Wayne Younger.
This game will be tough for the Raiders as they have been outscored 125-21 in the last three meetings, resulting in three defeats to the Hawks. Viera is loaded on both sides of the ball and had 9 transfers this summer to boost an already impressive roster. The area most improved for Viera is on defense which looks better than last season. That’s a scary thought and doesn’t fair well for the Raiders.
Players to watch Viera: Jr WR Travis Jones, Sr CB William Champion, Sr LB Connor Kaminski, Sr WR Donavan Jackson, Sr WR Quinton Richard, Jr DE Miguel Rodriguez, Jr LB Brandon Mays, Sr DT Justin Harrison, Sr DE Marco Foreman, and Jr QB Tim DeMorat.
Players to watch Rockledge: Jr WR Antoine Green, Jr DB Jesson Walker, Jr RB Tyvone Brooks, and So RB Jalen Mitchell.
Previous 5 meetings:
2015 Viera 38 Rock 0
2014 Viera 53 Rock 7
2013 Viera 34 Rock 14
2012 Rock 28 Viera 7
2011 Rock 20 Viera 19 (2 OT)
Prediction: Viera too fast, too big, too much for the Raiders. Viera by 17
Other Games: Cocoa vs Trinity Christian (Trinity by 7)
Merritt Island vs Heritage(M.I by 10)
Palm Bay vs Columbine (PB by 17)
Titusville vs Sebastian River (Tville by 3)
Satellite vs Eau Gallie (Sat by 7)
Holy Trinity vs St. Bernards CA (HT by 7)
MCC vs Father Lopez (MCC by 10)
Astronaut vs New Smyrna (NSB by 7)
Melbourne vs Centennial (Mel by 1)
Cocoa Beach @ Trinity Christian Academy Deltona (TC by 7)
Space Coast @ Tavares (SC by 6)
Bayside @ Lowndes GA (Lowndes by 21)
Merritt Island Christian @ Warner Christian (WCA by 13)