ORLANDO-Since the first day of practice back in August, the goal from day one for every team was to make it to the state championship game and compete for a state title.
For two of those teams tonight, the dream will become a reality as the Class 4A state title is up for grabs tonight at Camping World Stadium between Cocoa and Raines.
RAINES VIKINGS (12-1)
Head Coach: Deran Wiley
How they got here
Aug. 25 at Lee (16-20)
Sept. 1 First Coast (44-0)
Sept 8 Ed White (28-7)
Sept 22 Mandarin (55-28)
Sept 29 Jackson (78-0)
Oct 6 Sandalwood (55-20)
Oct 13 at Oakleaf (41-3)
Oct 20 at Rickards (35-0)
Oct 26 Lincoln (49-24)
Nov 4 at Ribault (41-6)
Nov 10 North Bay (43-0)
Nov 17 West Nassau (57-15)
Nov 24 at Bradford (53-13)
Key players
Ivory Durham (Sr., QB) 150 of 211 for 2,760 yards, 32 TDs, 6 INTs
George Webb (Sr., ATH) 25 catches for 632 yards, 9 TDs, 25.3 y.p.c. 934 All-Purpose yards, 4 return TDs
Kemaree Noble (Sr., WR) 40 catches for 628 yards, 8 TDs, 15.7 y.p.c.
Matthew Drayton (Jr., WR) 26 catches for 463 yards, 4 TDs, 17.8 y.p.c.
Brandon Marshall (Jr., RB) 151 carries for 1,403 yards, y.p.c.
Raynell Killian (Sr., DB/RB) 3 INTs, 37 tackles, 222 rushing/5 TDs, 5 catches for 73 yards/2 TDs
Diop Kee (Sr., DB) 5 INTs, 52 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 1 sack
Javon Bonsell (Jr., LB) 69 tackles, 10 sacks, 1 tackle for loss
Outlook: Twenty years ago, a group of young men from Raines came together and became the first Duval County public school to win a state title with a win over Glades Central. Now another group has a chance to become the second team from Raines to win a title. Two years ago, a loaded Raines team made it to state only to come up short against state power Booker T Washington. After a stunning second round blowout loss to Bolles last season, the Vikings are back in Orlando and attempting to bring home that elusive state title again. For that to happen, the offensive line featuring Bryant Maddox (Jr.), Desmond Dembo (Sr.,), Howard Ford (Sr.), Chris Kindley (Sr.) line will have to control the game allowing Durham, Webb and Marshall to have huge games and more importantly keeping Cocoa offense off the field. For Raines to win, players like Bonsell must step up and take over the game and win the trenches to contain both Hawkins and Gaines. Stop the run and the Vikings hoist the trophy plain and simple.
COCOA TIGERS (11-1)
Head Coach: John Wilkinson
How they got here
Aug. 25 at Trinity (24-21)
Sept. 1 Treasure Coast (55-7)
Sept 22 Viera (24-17) OT
Sept 29 International School of Broward (70-0)
Oct 6 Mainland (21-7)
Oct 13 Everglades Prep (56-0)
Oct 20 at Bartram Trail (38-21)
Oct 27 Pahokee (45-0)
Nov 3 at Rockledge (17-20) 2 OT
Nov 9 Lake Placid (63-8)
Nov 17 Avon Park (62-7)
Nov 24 University School (49-14)
Key players:
Javian Hawkins (Sr., RB) 176 carries for 1737 yards, 20 TDs, 9.9 yards per carry
Willie Gaines (Jr., RB) 147 carries for 1312 yards and 14 TDs 8.9 yards per carry
Bradley Cantrell (Sr., QB) 59 of 87 for 984 yards, 15 TDs, 1 interception
Connor Perine (Sr., WR) 21 catches for 332 yards, 4 TDs, 15.8 yards per catch
Howard Stewart (Sr., ) 52 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 7 sacks
Tri-marea Charles (Sr. ) 56 tackles, 5 sacks
Alex Petruzzello ( Jr., K/P) 68 of 69 PAT, 7 of 9 FG, 36.1 punt average, 6 inside 20, 45.8 kickoff average
Outlook: It’s no secret what Cocoa is going to do, yet only one team has been able to stop them. The duo of Gaines and Hawkins is a lethal combination teams have been trying to stop for two years now. A win here would give the Tigers a clean sweep of North Florida having beat Bolles last year in the title game, Trinity back-to-back years and also Bartram Trail this season. Hawkins, a Louisville commit, has been battling an injury during the first round of the playoffs and hasn’t played much during the playoffs, but a two week layoff allowed him to likely get healthy and ready for his final high school game. Even without him, Gaines stepped up and took over the lethal offense in his absence. As much as you must defend the run, you must also respect the pass also as Cantrell has thrown 15 touchdowns with just one interception.
