Overcast Clouds
CLASS 4A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME PREVIEW
PUBLISHED
Thu, Dec 6, 2018 8:57 AM
The Jacksonville Raines Vikings will attempt to repeat as Class 4A state champions when take the field versus the Cocoa Tigers in a rematch of last year's Class 4A final in which Raines edged the Tigers 13-10. This will be the Vikings fifth appearance in a state final.
Raines (12-1) has steamrolled their three playoff opponents to earn a return trip to Camping World Stadium. The Vikings had a first round bye, blasted Marianna 47-9 in the second round, blanked Callahan West Nassau 42-0 in the regional final, and crushed Dunnellon 48-0 in the Class 4A semifinal round.
Offensively, the Vikings have two capable quarterbacks in senior Barron Coates and junior Jacory Rivers. They will look to distribute the ball to senior wide receivers Matt Drayton and Daivarus Thomas. Senior running back Brandon Marshall will provide the spark in Raines' ground attack.
The Vikings have a strong defense with plenty of speed. Janorris Roberts leads the way from his defensive end position and will team with James Tarver to lead Raines' defensive unit.
The Cocoa Tigers are playing for a state championship for a third consecutive season and a sixth time overall. They are looking to avenge last year's loss to Jacksonville Raines. The Tigers hoisted the 2016 Class 4A trophy when they defeated Jacksonville Bolles.
Cocoa (10-3) started the season 2-2 before rebounding to win eight of their next nine games to make it back to Orlando to play for a championship. The Tigers blanked Titusville Astronaut 35-0 in their first playoff game, cruised past Fort Myers Bishop Verot 38-14, and came from behind to defeat NSU University School 32-31 last week.
Cocoa has an explosive offense led by sophomore quarterback Diego Arroyo who has passed for 3,143 yards and 28 touchdowns! He has a plenty of targets to throw the ball led by senior Willie Gaines. Gaines has caught 78 passes for 1,150 yards and 13 scores! He also has rushed for 414 yards with six additional touchdowns. Isaiah Jones, a 6'4 senior has snagged 57 receptions for 907 yards and 8 scores. Senior Jamari Williams added 44 catches for 525 yards with four touchdowns. The Tigers' ground game is led by junior Caziah Holmes who has rushed for 1,181 yards and 15 scores. He also has two receiving touchdowns. Freshman OJ Ross is also a contributor in the ground game, he has 658 rushing yards and six scores.
Senior Brock Holland leads the Cocoa defense with 135 tackles and nine tackles for a loss. Sophomore Dajavon White contributed a whopping 30 tackles for loss to go along with 79 total tackles. Tyrique Sears added 69 tackles with nine behind the line of scrimmage. Juniors Jordan Blackmon, 62 tackles coupled with 2 interceptions and Marquise Freeman 56 tackles with 12 tackles for loss are solid contributors.
Raines (12-1) has steamrolled their three playoff opponents to earn a return trip to Camping World Stadium. The Vikings had a first round bye, blasted Marianna 47-9 in the second round, blanked Callahan West Nassau 42-0 in the regional final, and crushed Dunnellon 48-0 in the Class 4A semifinal round.
Offensively, the Vikings have two capable quarterbacks in senior Barron Coates and junior Jacory Rivers. They will look to distribute the ball to senior wide receivers Matt Drayton and Daivarus Thomas. Senior running back Brandon Marshall will provide the spark in Raines' ground attack.
The Vikings have a strong defense with plenty of speed. Janorris Roberts leads the way from his defensive end position and will team with James Tarver to lead Raines' defensive unit.
The Cocoa Tigers are playing for a state championship for a third consecutive season and a sixth time overall. They are looking to avenge last year's loss to Jacksonville Raines. The Tigers hoisted the 2016 Class 4A trophy when they defeated Jacksonville Bolles.
Cocoa (10-3) started the season 2-2 before rebounding to win eight of their next nine games to make it back to Orlando to play for a championship. The Tigers blanked Titusville Astronaut 35-0 in their first playoff game, cruised past Fort Myers Bishop Verot 38-14, and came from behind to defeat NSU University School 32-31 last week.
Cocoa has an explosive offense led by sophomore quarterback Diego Arroyo who has passed for 3,143 yards and 28 touchdowns! He has a plenty of targets to throw the ball led by senior Willie Gaines. Gaines has caught 78 passes for 1,150 yards and 13 scores! He also has rushed for 414 yards with six additional touchdowns. Isaiah Jones, a 6'4 senior has snagged 57 receptions for 907 yards and 8 scores. Senior Jamari Williams added 44 catches for 525 yards with four touchdowns. The Tigers' ground game is led by junior Caziah Holmes who has rushed for 1,181 yards and 15 scores. He also has two receiving touchdowns. Freshman OJ Ross is also a contributor in the ground game, he has 658 rushing yards and six scores.
Senior Brock Holland leads the Cocoa defense with 135 tackles and nine tackles for a loss. Sophomore Dajavon White contributed a whopping 30 tackles for loss to go along with 79 total tackles. Tyrique Sears added 69 tackles with nine behind the line of scrimmage. Juniors Jordan Blackmon, 62 tackles coupled with 2 interceptions and Marquise Freeman 56 tackles with 12 tackles for loss are solid contributors.
