5 reasons why the Cocoa Tigers (FL) can repeat as Class 2S state champions

The Tigers will have a new quarterback under center and some new pieces on both sides of the ball in 2023

COCOA, FLORIDA- It was truly a magical moment for the Cocoa Tigers when they narrowly edged out Florida State University High School in overtime for the Class 2S state championship back in December. 

The game had everything you wanted and then some. Big plays, high scoring, battle of wits between both head coaches. What was one of the more memorable state title contests turned into a jubilation for the Tigers. 

Cocoa ended up as the state champions for the fifth time in program history and then quarterback Blake Boda ended up being named our SBLive Sports Florida Player of the Year in 2022. What kind of encore does head coach Ryan Schneider and his crew have store this time around? 

Many feel there may be a new team crowned in 2S, but there’s reasons to like Cocoa again. We give you five reasons to believe the Tigers have what it takes to bring home No. 6 back to the 321. 

5. Brady Hart will ease concerns at quarterback 

Replacing Boda, who is now at Coastal Carolina, will not be an easy task whatsoever but the quarterback tasked in doing that is 6-foot-5, 185-pound Brady Hart. The signal caller was quickly anointed after the 2022 campaign as the heir apparent to Boda and he’s been impressive during the offseason and spring. So much so that Hart has already received offers from schools like Pittsburgh, Texas A&M and UCF. The team should be just fine with Hart under center. 

4. Aiming for No. 6 and a repeat 

Now going for back-to-back state championships isn’t something new for this program as Cocoa went three in a row from 2009-2011. To go ahead and add another piece of hardware to ever growing trophy case would be nice and the drive to repeat as plenty of motivation for this group to get back to Tallahassee (or wherever the state championships will be held at). There’s so much to be touch on here when you’re looking at repeating, holding off neighboring schools and possibly an enticing rematch with FSU High? Nonetheless, the Tigers are not going to be satisfied with just last year’s results. 

3. Offensive line play will make the difference 

The big uglies in the trenches are obviously always one of the biggest difference makers when it comes to playing at the most elite levels of high school football. That’s where Cocoa finds themselves able to separate from many programs and it should be no different in 2023. The Tigers’ offensive front should be one of the most formidable along the Space Coast region as they bring back seniors Daviyon Hawkins-Ingram and Messiah Robinson. 

2. Defense returns a number of starters

This defense was pretty stingy when it came to points last season, allowing an average of exactly 14 through the same number of games played. In 2022, the Tigers pitched four shutout wins and each of their three losses came to teams that all made the postseason last year. The heavy hitter in the middle is back in 5-foot-11, 225-pound Samadrae Hawkins, who had over 100 tackles last season. Cedrick Hawkins, an Ohio State commitment, is the leader in a talented secondary group. Throw in fellow defensive teammates in Dai’Veon Parham and defensive linemen Da’Varrius Robertson, Loren Ward, Cedric Walker and you’ve got yourself one of the top front seven units in the Sunshine State. 

1. Coaching matters 

This coaching staff pressed all the right buttons in guiding Cocoa to its first state championship since 2016. Tigers head coach Ryan Schneider, a former UCF quarterback, has settled in as a mainstay at Cocoa and his staff is one of the best in the Sunshine State at getting the most out of their talented players year in and year out. This upcoming 2023 is no different when you take a look at this roster and though they’ve experienced some losses through graduations and transfers, the coaching aspect of it can’t be overlooked. Cocoa can compete on any given Friday night because of the combination of the talent pool and stellar coaching. 

Andy Villamarzo can be reached at andyvillamarzo@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @Andy_Villamarzo.