The 2024 Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) State Championships get underway this week at Pitbull Stadium, on the campus of Florida International University.
The second of our seven champions will be crowned on Thursday afternoon where the Gadsden County Jaguars (13-1) take on the Cocoa Tigers (10-3). Kick-off is scheduled for 12:30 p.m.
This will be the first meeting all-time between the two schools.
How did Gasden County get here? They defeated Baldwin 48-7 in the regional quarterfinals. They defeated Florida State University High 42-11 in the regional semifinals. They defeated Bolles (Jacksonville) 21-9 in the regional finals. They defeated Booker T. Washington (Miami) 47-27 in the state semifinals last week.
The Jaguars have come a long way since suffering a 34-19 loss to Venice back in the preseason classic on August 16 and come into the state championship game having won 13 of their 14 games, sustaining their lone regular-season loss to Coffee (Georgia) 27-14 back on September 13.
The Jaguars have a running back duo in seniors Kemarrion Battles and Tristen Davis who each rushed for over 1,000 yards this season. Battles has 13 rushing touchdowns while Davis has 11 so I fully expect the Jaguars to rely on the run game in this one. Senior wide receiver Jeremiah Thomas is their most explosive weapon in the passing game where he has a team-high in catches (30), receiving yards (819), and touchdowns (8).
What’s At Stake for Gadsden County? The Jaguars are seeking their first state title in school history
How did Cocoa get here? They defeated Lake Placid 63-0 in the regional quarterfinals. They defeated Berkeley Prep 37-12 in the regional semifinals. They defeated Newberry 40-3 in the regional finals. They defeated Cardinal Mooney 31-21 in last week’s state semifinals.
The Tigers roll into the state championship game on a seven-game winning streak that dates back to October 4 when they lost to Miami Norland.
The Tigers are led by signal-caller Brady Hart who just recently re-classed to the Class of 2025 as well as flipping his commitment from Michigan to Texas A&M. Hart has had one of the most efficient seasons across the state where he has thrown for 4,100 yards, 39 touchdowns, and just 8 interceptions on the season.
Hart has multiple weapons in the passing game where he can connect with senior wide receiver Jayvan Boggs (Florida State commit), who has 93 catches for 2,020 yards and 20 touchdowns. Also can be relied on senior wide receiver Nicholas Teeter, who has 60 catches for 809 yards and eight touchdowns this season.
What’s At Stake for Cocoa? The Tigers are seeking their 7th state title in school history (3rd consecutive). The Tigers have won state championships in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2016, 2022, and 2023.
What is your 2A Championship Prediction? Cocoa 35, Gadsden County 20
