Roll the Dice
Week 2 in Brevard and the top two teams Cocoa and Viera are rolling the dice against tough out of State Opponents. Viera will host Gonzaga (DC) Saturday at 6pm while Cocoa will play National #1Bishop Gorman in Vegas Friday at 7pm.
Cocoa shocked the Country by defeating the #3 team in the Nation Trinity Christian 26-23 in overtime last week. After soaring up the rankings to #19 Cocoa could make another jump into the top 5 with an Upset of Bishop Gorman. Cocoa returns 9 on defense and added 8 impact transfers this summer. They will need every bit of talent to defeat the Kings of Vegas.
The Key to this game is how Cocoa will stop SR QB Tate Martell and SR RB Biaggio Ali-Walsh in the running game. Cocoa must also be able to stop the strong arm of Martell who puts so much pressure on a defense. The Tigers must score Touchdowns in the redzone after struggling last week vs Trinity Christian. Settling for field goals instead of Touchdowns is a recipe for a blowout loss against teams of Bishop Gorman caliber. Some have Bishop Gorman in a blowout but I have it much closer.
Players to Watch Cocoa: Sr QB Bruce Judson, Sr RB Timmy Pratt, Sr RB Lasedrick King, Jr OL Zach Brasher, Sr OL Naceiya Gilmore, Jr ATH Javian Hawkins, Sr LB Jekevius Henry, Sr LB John Smith, Sr WR Juwan Armstrong, Sr WR Javon Spencer, Jr ATH Qunelius Phillips, Jr LB Zach Beagle, Sr WR Dezmond Morgan, Sr DB Josh Ramirez, Sr ATH Howard Stewart, Sr DE Joaquan Lennear, and Sr DE CJ Bartley
Players to watch Bishop Gorman: Sr QB Tate Martell, Sr RB Biaggio Ali-Walsh, Jr WR Jalen Nailor, Sr ATH Alex Perry, Jr OLB Palaie Gaoteote, Sr FS Bubba Bolden, Sr MLB Farrell Hester, Jr MLB Skylar Salva, So ATH Greg Oliver, Sr DE Haskell Garrett, Sr DE Patrick Becker, Sr LB Brock Ruggeroli, Jr WR Jimmy Telles, and Sr ATH Greg Francis
PREDICTION: Bishop Gorman by 13
For the second year in a row the Viera Hawks will take on another State Power in Gonzaga DC. Hawks were the 7A runner up and have reloaded. The entire front 7 returns and with 10 transfers the Hawks have the talent to compete with anyone in the country. Gonzaga will have a tough time keeping the Hawks out of its backfield as the Hawks shook the Nation with a impressive win. PREDICTION: Viera by 12
Other Predictions:
Palm Bay vs Bayside (Palm Bay by 35)
Heritage vs Dakota Ridge CO (Heritage by 3)
Merritt Island @Lake Wales (MI by 3)
Titusville vs Lake Brantley (Titusville by 7)
Holy Trinity vs Harvest Community (HT by 7)
Melbourne Central Catholic vs Satellite (MCC by 4)
Astronaut vs Eau Gallie (Astronaut by 7)
Rockledge BYE
Melbourne vs Spruce Creek (Spruce Creek by 3)
Cocoa Beach vs Pine Ridge (CB by 10)
Space Coast @Lake Howell (SC by 7)