What happens when the hottest team in the State and one of Florida’s finest blue blood programs cross paths? If you guessed complete and utter domination, you’d earn a cookie.
Last night, the Cocoa Tigers traveled to Vero Beach High for a matchup that would shake the foundation of Florida High School Football.
From the opening kick, it was all Vero, as the Fighting Indians successfully pulled off an incredible pooch kick to set the tone for the evening.
The successful squib placed Vero Beach just inside the 30, but unfortunately for The Beach Boys, they only came away with 3. After holding Cocoa to a three and out, another promising Vero drive stalled out after Tigers’ DB Duran Gilford picks off a pass over the middle and gets Cocoa back inside the 15.
The moment right would shape the foundation and momentum of this game. Cocoa found themselves on the Vero 7 yard line, but Vero’s defense, with their backs against the wall, didn’t lose hope. After a Tiger toss over the middle, Sebastian Polynice tips the pass up in the air and Kentucky commit Jordan Crutchfield snipes the ball out of the air, and starts flying down the Cocoa sideline for a 99 yard pick 6.
After that incredible goal line effort, it was Vero’s offense’s turn to execute. Despite star QB Champ Monds being inactive for the evening due to an ankle injury sustained two weeks ago, there has been absolutely no drop off in production for Vero.
Following Monds’ injury, Senior ATH Efrem “EJ” White took over the reins as QB1 for the Tribe, and he’s put on a show. White uses his slippery athleticism to his advantage, opening up Vero’s offense to allow big gains in the air and while rushing. White finished the evening with 3 total touchdowns, including two passing and one beautiful rush.
Another offensive standout for Vero came from the powerful legs of senior RB Jonathan Hillsman. Hillsman tallied over 70 rushing yards on the day and two total touchdowns. On the final score of the night, Hillsman dragged the Cocoa defense behind him as he barreled his way for a 17 yard touchdown rush.
Following the statement win over Cocoa, Vero Beach Head Coach Lenny Jankowski had this to say:
“We wanted to play well in all phases of the game. We felt that despite having a few wins under our belt, we had a lot to improve upon in all three phases of the game. I felt like we did that.” Coach J stated
With such a dominant win under their belt, the Vero Beach Fighting Indians turn their attention back locally, as they prepare to face Port St. Lucie’s Centennial next Friday night.
