Marcus Benjamin @BenjaminReport
Orlando, FL – When we realized that we would get a rematch in the 4A state championship, we wondered if the it would live up to the original.
It did.
Raines (Jacksonville) won back to back state championships defeating Cocoa 27-13 Thursday night at Camping World Stadium for the second consecutive year. Senior Brandon Marshall gained 135 all-purpose yards and scored two touchdowns including an amazing catch and run with 4:04 remaining in the game.
“It was a wheel route and I told Barron Coates to just look at me, said Marshall. “He put the ball on the money I just stuck my hands out, the ball just landed in my hands, it was just an effort play after that I just tried to make a play for my team and I did.”
Raines played two quarterbacks in the game. The Vikings started with junior Jacorey Rivers who was inserted in the starting role in the state semifinals. The junior made some jaw dropping moves all game but was sacked three times.
Senior Barron Coates who started every game this season, made his first appearance in the first half and threw one incompletion. His second throw of the game was the 74-yarder to Marshall.
“Barron threw a strike and Brandon Marshall made a heck of a play,” said Head Coach Deran Wiley. “Barron Coates led us all year. I wasn’t going to give up on him. I was the one to put him in the game. I thought he could make a play.”
The play put Raines up 21-13 but did not put Cocoa away. Cocoa down one score still had a chance to tie the game and send the 4A final into overtime.
Cocoa quarterback DJ Arroyo attempted to lead his team back lofted the ball in the air and junior Treyvon Hobbs caught and charged for the goal line for a game sealing pick six. Cocoa committed 5 turnovers which would be their demise.
“The defense made some plays,” said Wiley. “Those guys go to war, they made plays down the stretch. The pick six by Treyvon Hobbs that was unbelievable.”
Raines experienced a tragic shooting at the end of their first game of the season. A 16-year old was charged with murder as one was killed and two were injured in a senseless shooting.
“That incident was enormous in the community,” said Wiley. “This team is resilient, they got a lot of calm and resolve and they fought I’m proud of these guys.”
Senior Brandon Marshall plunged into the endzone for the Vikings first score. Raines went up by two touchdowns as Jamond Handy rushed over the goal line for an 8-yard score. Cocoa would get on the board with a shovel pass from sophomore Arroyo to junior Caziah Holmes.
Cocoa kicker Alex Petruzzello missed a 27-yarder early 3rd quarter but redeemed himself with a field goal to make it 14-10 game. On the next possession Raines, would turn the ball over on an interception by senior Jamari Williams. Cocoa would have 1st and goal when an apparent fumble that Raines recovered, but the ball was called down. Cocoa would attempt another field goal as a result but this one was blocked.
At 6:57 left in the game, Cocoa faced a 4th and 5. Arroyo completed enough to Willie Gaines for the first down to keep the Tigers hopes alive. Cocoa would settle for a field goal and that would be the final points the Tigers would put up on the board.
Cocoa was denied their fifth state championship while Raines adds a third state championship in the program’s history.
“It was hard but we deserved it we worked hard over the summer, throughout the off-season so us getting to the state championship it’s well deserved.”
Click here for Photos of the game
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