Thursday marks the first of five state championship games to take place at Fort Lauderdale’s DRV PNK Stadium. It is the first time since 2006 (Now Hard Rock Stadium) that state championship games will be held in South Florida. South Florida teams are (1-1) in the state championship games so far with three more games to go featuring South Florida schools.
As predicted, the top two teams in 4A in the final Football Hotbed Regular Season Rankings meet in the championship game. Cardinal Gibbons (Fort Lauderdale) comes in as the defending 4A state champions and can solidify itself as a dynasty with a title in 2021. Cocoa, last won a state championship in 2016 (Beat Jacksonville Bolles, 31-17) and will look to avenge a 45-15 loss to Gibbons in the 2020 state semifinals.
Cocoa Vs. Cardinal Gibbons (Fort Lauderdale)
Thursday 7:00 PM
Cocoa (11-1)
State Championships: 4
Best Wins: Treasure Coast (Port St. Lucie) 56-55, Bolles 35-24, Osceola Kissimmee 21-20, Rockledge 20-14
Cocoa is no stranger to close games. Six of its twelve games were decided by six points or less. The Tigers were in an overtime dogfight with Treasure Coast this season that was perhaps the best game of the year in the state. Cocoa’s one blemish on the year, a one-point loss to 8A finalist Venice.
Senior OJ Ross scored five touchdowns in the OT thriller. Ross has explosiveness that must be contained and wide receivers Eumari Dixon and Donte Cook can also make big plays.
Cook scored three touchdowns on 8 catches for 108 yards and perhaps the most complete receiver is Jmariyae Robinson, who had 7 catches for 156 yards including a 54-yarder.
Much needs to be said about quarterback Davin Wydner.
The senior has been efficient all season and completed 69% of his passes in last week’s playoff win. The senior stands tall (6-5, 218) in the pocket and can make every throw.
On defense, senior and UConn commit Timothy Passmore is a beast at D-tackle that clogs up the middle. Cedrick Hawkins and Samadre Hawkins are good for double-digit tackles nearly every game. Cedrick is a four-star defensive back that may be the best overall athlete for the Tigers.
Cardinal Gibbons (Fort Lauderdale) (10-2)
State Championships: 2
Best Wins: Venice 28-22, Gulliver (Miami) 36-33, Lakewood (St. Petersburg) 36-18
The win against Venice was a reminder to every one of the potential of the Gibbons football team. The Chiefs traveled to the west coast of Florida and gutted out a tough six-point victory. The dynamic Davon Kiser broke free for the game-winning score for the Chiefs to return home victorious. Gibbons lost by a field goal to rival American Heritage Plantation and were embarrassed by 7A finalist St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale) 39-14 at FAU stadium.
This might not be the best offense of the three years the Chiefs made it to the championship game, but it may very well be the best defense. The defensive front is led by seniors Mason Thomas and Ahmad Moten who will likely be playing on the Power 5 level in college.
The defense gets scarier with Coastal Carolina commit Tray Brown and junior Greg Otten bearing down on ball carriers. Isaiah Farris is one of the better cover corners in South Florida.
Offensively, if the running game gets going for Gibbons, there might be no stopping this team. It starts will Kamari Moulton slashing inside and outside and junior quarterback, Dylan Rizk can take it the distance with his legs.
Rizk will need to make some throws in this game if they are going to keep up with Cocoa’s offense. Seniors Kiser and Elisha Edwards will need to get open early and often to open up the running game.
One thing’s for sure is that there is plenty of fight in both teams as both have come back from double digits to win playoff games this season. I think the home field plays a factor in this game.
Prediction: Gibbons Beats Cocoa 38-37
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