Bright House Sports Network’s preseason countdown of the Top 20 football teams in Central Florida continues today with No. 4.
No. 4 Cocoa Tigers
Head Coach: John Wilkinson
2013 Record: 11-2 (lost to Miami Booker T. Washington 49-10 in 4A semifinals)
Key Returners: QB Bruce Judson, ATH Jamel Dean, ATH C.J. Gardner, WR Kevin Troutman, OL Jawan Taylor, LB Brandon Phillips, FS Aaron McRoy
Key Losses: RB Lorrenzo Pratt, OL/DL Freddie Booth-Lloyd, DL Lane Burnett, LB James Folston, CB Jamel Jackson
Kickoff Classic: No game
Team Outlook: The Tigers are 72-10 since 2008, by far the best mark in Central Florida. Wilkinson is entering his 10th season as Cocoa’s head coach and he is the longest tenured coach in program history. Dean, an Ohio State commit, will see time on both sides of the ball. He accounted for 750 yards on offense and 38 tackles on defense. Gardner, a rising junior who has committed to Miami, is equally valuable as a two-way standout. Judson earned MaxPreps Freshman All-American honors last year and has made significant strides in the offseason. Four starters graduated from the offensive line, including 315-pound beast Booth-Lloyd. Wilkinson believes this is one of the fastest teams he’s had at Cocoa which could signal the return of the Tigers vaunted ‘Dark Side’ defense. Cocoa doesn’t currently have a Kickoff Classic or an opponent for week one.