In a victory that may not have been adorned with elegance but certainly promises to grace many fingers with championship rings, Cocoa High emerged triumphant, claiming its sixth FHSAA Class 2S state football title. The decisive 20-6 win unfolded at Bragg Memorial Stadium on the Florida A&M campus, with Cocoa demonstrating resilience after conceding the initial touchdown to Bradford.
About FHSAA State Football Championship
Reflecting on the game, Tigers head coach Ryan Schneider admitted to less-than-ideal performance, attributing some strategic decisions to challenging circumstances. Despite this, Schneider commended his team for exemplifying resilience and maintaining focus throughout the contest.
Nicholas Teeter, overcoming injury hurdles earlier in the season, played a pivotal role in preserving the lead during the second half. A critical fumble deep in Cocoa’s territory threatened to shift the game’s momentum, but a timely intervention by C.J. Bragg and Teeter’s composure ensured possession and retained the lead.
Teeter, who had a standout performance, not only showcased his defensive prowess but also initiated Cocoa’s scoreboard dominance at 4:07 in the first quarter. Catching a 36-yard pass from sophomore quarterback Brady Hart, Teeter’s touchdown set the tone for Cocoa’s victory, securing a lead of 7-6 after Gunnar Trout’s successful extra point.
The triumph marked Cocoa’s consecutive celebrations, having clinched the title against Florida High the previous year with a 38-31 victory. Cocoa’s illustrious football history includes state championships in 2008, ’09, ’10, and ’16.
In a rematch of the previous year’s clash for a spot in the 2S final, the Tigers once again prevailed over Bradford, maintaining an impressive 14-1 record for the 2023 season. Notably, Cocoa dominated the playoffs, outscoring opponents by a substantial 184-30 margin.
Davi’yon Hawkins-Ingram spearheaded the Cocoa defense with seven tackles, including three behind the line of scrimmage, and a forced fumble. Samadrae Hawkins contributed six stops and another forced fumble, adding a 23-yard return.
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Teeter’s offensive prowess continued with six receptions for 76 yards, complemented by Bragg’s ten catches for an additional 81 yards and Jayvan Boggs’ seven receptions for 47 yards. Hart showcased his quarterback finesse, completing 26 of 37 passes for 228 yards and a crucial score, despite two interceptions.
Cocoa’s second touchdown materialized through a 10-yard Latrison Lane run in the second quarter, while Trout sealed the victory with successful field goals of 25 and 23 yards.
Bradford took an early 6-0 lead with a 15-yard pass from Dae’Jon Shanks to Chalil Cummings. Despite facing challenges, Cocoa regrouped, displaying resilience and teamwork to secure another championship victory.
