High School Football Preview, Friday Night Lights Gets Underway Tonight With Kickoff Classics

By  //  August 18, 2017

Are You Ready For Some Football?

SPACE COAST DAILY TV – WEEK 2 COACHES SHOW: Join the Friday Night Locker Room – Space Coast Daily team of Orville Susong, Steve Wilson and Alan Zlotorzynsk live from Beef O’Brady’s in Cocoa as they preview the upcoming prep football season. Coaches this week includes Kevin Mays of Viera, John Wilkinson of Cocoa, Tim Powers of Eau Gallie, Nate Hooks of Holy Trinity, Jamie Bopp of MIC and more.

SPACE COAST DAILY TV – WEEK 1 COACHES SHOW: The Friday Night Locker Room – Space Coast Daily team previews the 2017 high school football season from Beef O’ Brady’s in Cocoa. Featured coaches include Jake Owens of Space Coast, Scott Grish of Melbourne, David Lowe of Cocoa Beach High School, Ted Kimmey of Satellite, Stacey Sizemore of MCC and Wayne Younger of the Rockledge Raiders.

KICKOFF CLASSICS

  • Centennial @ Astronaut
  • Cocoa @ Clearwater
  • Cocoa Beach @ Holy Trinity
  • John Carroll @ Space Coast
  • Harmony @ Bayside
  • Melbourne @ Rockledge
  • Melbourne Central Catholic @ Cardinal Gibbons
  • Merritt Island Christian @ Jupiter Christian
  • Merritt Island @ Eau Gallie
  • Pembroke Pines Charter @ Palm Bay
  • Seabreeze @ Titusville
  • Viera @ Vero Beach
  • Satellite @Key West

Astronaut War Eagles

War Eagles have a new head coach heading into 2017. Justin Worden will take over as head coach for Astronaut after then-head coach Randy Hallock announced his retirement last season. (Colin Ziemer, SCD Image)

• War Eagles finished last season 3-8

• New Astronaut Head Coach Justin Worden takes over for Randy Hallock who retired last season.

• The War Eagle defense will be anchored by linebacker Cameron Ockerman and defensive lineman Deanthony Mallory. Ockerman recorded 87 tackles last season ( 7 TFL), an interception and one forced fumble last year. Meanwhile, Mallory can be a disruptive force in opposing offenses’ backfield after registering 17 TFL and four sacks last year.

• A trio of running backs (Robinson, Arnold III, Williams) are expected to lead the ground attack. The offensive line has high expectations from head coach Worden, ““They’re an upperclassmen group that will put the rest of the team on their shoulders. I believe we will be very good up front,” Worden said, speaking to Will Turner at FloridaHSFootball.com.

FNLR Steve Wilson & Orville Susong: Big shoes to fill for 1st year coach Justin Worden.  An opportunity for Astronaut alum to get the War Eagles back on track.

ALAN Z : The War Eagles new head coach likes to run the football and play defense. The good news is he has the players to do both. Three good backs and a senior QB. On defense, MLB Cameron Ockerman, who landed on the cover of the Florida edition of Friday Night Football should be a leading tackler in the county.

2017 SCHEDULE

8-25 vs New Smyrna Beach 7:30 p.m.
9-1 vs Eau Gallie 7 p.m.
9-8 @ Merritt Island 7:30 p.m.
9-15 Bye
9-22 @ Seabreeze (Daytona Beach) 7:30 p.m.
9-29 vs Atlantic (Port Orange) 7 p.m.
10-6 @ Satellite 7 p.m.
10-13 @ Lake Highland Prep (Orlando) 7:30 p.m.
10-20 vs Westwood (Fort Pierce) 7 p.m.
10-27 @ Gateway (Kissimmee) 7:30 p.m.
11-3 vs Titusville 7 p.m.

Bayside Bears

• Bears finished last season winless at 0-11

• Last year, Bayside averaged giving up nearly 42 points a game, while only averaging 12 points on offense. For Bayside to have any success this season, it must start with the defense.

• The Bears open the season with three-straight home games before hitting the road for 6 of their last 8 games.

FNLR Steve Wilson & Orville Susong: Is this the year the Bears turn the corner?

Alan Z: Head coach Mike Nahl is determined to turn this program around. Keep your eye on the early September  contest vs. Melbourne to see if the Bears can register their first win since 2014, a season they made they made the playoffs.

2017 SCHEDULE

8-25 vs West Boca Raton (Boca Raton) 7 p.m.
9-1 Bye
9-8 vs Melbourne 7 p.m.
9-15 vs Jensen Beach (Jensen Beach) 7 p.m.
9-22 @ Satellite 7 p.m.
9-29 @ Eau Gallie  7 p.m.
10-6 @ Sebastian River (Sebastian) 7 p.m.
10-13 @ Okeechobee (Okeechobee) 7 p.m.
10-20 vs Port St. Lucie (Port St. Lucie) 7 p.m.
10-27 @ Heritage 7 p.m.
11-3 vs West Oaks Academy (Orlando)

Cocoa Tigers

The reigning state champions Cocoa Tigers return a loaded 2017 squad with the defense led by senior defensive linemen Howard Stewart. (Colin Ziemer, SCD Image)

• Tigers finished 12-1 last season and defeated Bolles in the State Championship Class 4a 31-17 at Camping World Stadium.

• Reigning State Champs in Class 4a return a potent offense and potentially a lockdown defense. Offensively led by running back Javian Hawkins and athlete Willie Gaines.

• Defensively, the Tigers will be led by senior defensive lineman Howard Stewart, senior linebacker John Smith and freshman defensive lineman Dajavon White. Last year, White, as a 8th grader, exploded on to the scene with 7 sacks, 41 tackles (19 solo) 1 forced fumble and two fumble recoveries. Stewart is expected to lead the defensive front for the Tigers. The senior defensive end has already received a notable offer from Kentucky, expect that list of offers to grow by season’s end.

• Cocoa will face a couple early tests to begin the season which starts off with two road games: at Clearwater and at Trinity Christian Academy. Last year, Clearwater fell to Cocoa to begin the year 34-7, then went on to win their next 10 games, eventually losing their regional semifinal to Charlotte. Arguably, one of the best games last year was the Trinity Christian at Cocoa matchup. A game featured on ESPN2, finished in a overtime thriller and a Cocoa victory 26-23. Trinity Christian finished 2016 as the Class 5a State Runner-Up. This year, Cocoa travels up north to Jacksonville to take on the Conquerors.

FNLR Steve Wilson & Orville Susong: The Tigers look like the team to beat, however, the big question is, who will step into graduated QB Bruce Judson’s shoes.

Alan Z: The Tigers return 23 letterman and 12 starters, seven on defense. On paper, this team is even better than the one that captured last years 4A crown. Coach Wilkinson has options everywhere, including quarterback, as Bruce Judson is now at Oregon. He has senior passer Bradley Cantrell or sophomore sensation Caziah Holmes, who is as athletic as any at the position. The Tigers should be back in Orlando looking for one for the thumb in December.

2017 SCHEDULE

8-18 @ Clearwater 7 p.m.
8-25 @ Trinity Christian Academy (Jacksonville) 7:30 p.m.
9-1  vs Treasure Coast (Port St. Lucie) 7 p.m.
9-8  vs Dunnellon (Dunnellon) 7 p.m.
9-15 vs Everglades Prep Academy (Homestead) 7 p.m.
9-22 vs Viera 7 p.m.
9-29 vs International School of Broward 7 p.m.
10-6 vs Mainland  7 p.m.
10-13 Bye
10-20 @ Bartram Trail (St. Johns) 7 p.m.
10-27 vs Pahoke 7 p.m.
11-3  @ Rockledge 7 p.m.

Cocoa Beach Minutemen

• Cocoa Beach finished 6-5 last season

• Visit Holy Trinity Friday night for the Kickoff Classic

• The Minutemen’s schedule will begin with a challenge as Coach Lowe’s squad faces four of their first five opponents on the road. Afterward, Cocoa Beach will host their next three opponents, with a bye week in the middle.

ALAN: Head coach David Lowe’s team finished 6-5 last season, their first winning season since 2012. They lost a lot of key players at key positions, including QB and RB but do have 19 seniors on this year’s team. Steven Walker takes over at QB and Winter Springs transfer, Cole Mitchell will guide the offense.

Coach Lowe, who enters his third season in his second stint as the CCB head coach is committed and is the right man to re-tool the program for this year and into the future.

2017 SCHEDULE

8-18 @ Holy Trinity Episcopal 7 p.m.
8-25 @ Orangewood Christian (Maitland) 7 p.m.
9-1 @ Trinity Prep (Winter Park) 7 p.m.
9-8 vs Halifax Academy (Daytona Beach) 7 p.m.
9-15 @ Father Lopez (Daytona Beach) 7 p.m.
9-22 vs Central Florida Christian Academy (Ocoee) 7 p.m.
9-29 vs Trinity Christian Academy (Deltona) 7 p.m.
10-6 Bye
10-13 vs Warner Christian Academy (South Daytona) 7 p.m.
10-20 @ Bayshore Christian (Tampa) 7:30 p.m.
10-27 @ Lake Placid (Lake Placid) 7 p.m.
11-3 vs Satellite 7 p.m.

Eau Gallie Commodores

ABOVE VIDEO: Space Coast Daily’s Alan Zlotorzynski continues his pre-season high school football camp visits with head coach Tim Powers and the Eau Gallie Commodores. 

The Commodores finished last season 7-4, their fourth straight year at .500 or better. Head coach Tim Powers 2017 team is filled with athletes and speed. Taking over at QB is junior Hunter Smith and while he may be a tad “green”, he’s got a ton of talent at wide receiver. Cordell Dzara, Darin Garland and Jarrad Baker each caught a TD pass from Smith in the spring contest and the three combined for nearly 1,300 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns last season.

FNLR Steve Wilson & Orville Susong: If you are looking for a dark hose team this year it might be the Commodores.  They turned some heads this summer during 7 on 7 play.

Running Back Keith Headd returns for his senior year for the Commodores. (Colin Ziemer, SCD Image)

2017 SCHEDULE

8-25  @ Satellite 7 p.m.
9-1 @ Astronaut 7 p.m.
9-8 vs Rockledge 7 p.m.
9-15 vs Heritage 7 p.m.
9-22 Bye
9-29 vs Bayside 7 p.m.
10-6 vs Titusville 7 p.m.
10-13 @ Jensen Beach (Jensen Beach) 7 p.m.
10-20 vs Okeechobee (Okeechobee) 7 p.m.
10-27 @ Sebastian River (Sebastian) 7 p.m.
11-3 @ Melbourne 7 p.m.

Heritage Panthers

(Colin Ziemer/Space Coast Daily Image)

• Heritage finished 6-4 last year

• Panthers first home game doesn’t come until Sept. 29 (vs Okeechobee)

• Head Coach Mark Ainsley’s squad will be tested early with matchups against Merritt Island and Palm Bay to begin the month of September. We will know a lot about this team in the first few weeks of the season.

Head coach Mark Ainsley says his team had a down year in 2016. Not many can say 6-4 is a down year but Ainsley expects his teams to be perennial playoff contenders. The Pamthers schedule is arguably the strangest in the county. They start with four straight on the road before coming home to play three straight. Heritage returns five offensive and eight defensive players. With 13 returning starters and coach Ainsley’s drive, the Panthers should be knocking on the door of the playoffs in 2017.

FNLR Steve Wilson & Orville Susong: All indications are the Panthers will be much improved over last years squad. They may be primed to return to the playoffs.

2017 SCHEDULE

8-25  @ Lake Mary
9-1     @ Merritt Island
9-8     @ Palm Bay
9-15   @ Eau Gallie*
9-22     BYE WEEK
9-29    vs Okeechobee*
10-6    vs Melbourne
10-13   vs Sebastian River*
10-20  @ Jensen Beach*
10-27    vs Bayside*
11-3       @ Viera

Holy Trinity Tigers

• Holy Trinity finished 6-3 last year

• The schedule is no joke for Holy Trinity. After next week’s matchup with Trinity Prep, the Tigers will face five road games in six weeks.

• The depth for Holy Trinity will be challenged , however, this team is talented and could make some noise towards the end of the year if they can stay healthy and steal a couple games on the road.

The loss of Jashaun Corbin to Rockledge will hurt but head coach Nate Hooks has talent to lean on, including Florida HS football 3A Defensive MVP and first team all state LB, Sully Altman. Corbin will be replaced in the backfield with freshman sensation Keyshawn Spencer, who already has three Power 5 conference offers.

The schedule is not for the faint of heart but Coach Hooks’ teams are always up to the task as the Tigers are 19-12 during his tenure.

FNLR Steve Wilson & Orville Susong: How much of an impact will the loss of transfer Jashaun Corbin have?  The Tigers still have a lot of talent.

2017 SCHEDULE

8-18 vs Cocoa Beach 7 p.m.
8-25  vs Trinity Prep (Winter Park) 7 p.m.
9-1 @ Hewitt-Trussville (Trussville, Alabama) 7 p.m.
9-8 @ Maclay (Tallahassee) 7 p.m.
9-15 vs American Heritage (Delray Beach) 7 p.m.
9-22 @ Bolles (Jacksonville) 7 p.m.
9-29 @ Colquitt County (Moultrie, Georgia) 7:30 p.m.
10-6 @ Indian Rocks Christian (Largo) 7 p.m.
10-13 Bye
10-20 vs Orlando Christian Prep 7 p.m.
10-27 vs Seven Rivers Christian (Lecanto) 7 p.m.
11-3 vs John Carroll Catholic (Fort Pierce) 7 p.m.

Melbourne Bulldogs

Every coach will tell you games are won on the offensive and defensive lines and this season the Bulldogs have talent and depth on both. Head coach Scott Grish enters his 22nd season coaching Brevard County football and he will be looking to improve on his teams two wins in 2016.

The Bulldogs defense will keep them in a lot of contests and if the offense, which returns five players can put together some late scoring drives and cut down on mistakes, Melbourne could be one of the most improved teams in 2017.

2017 SCHEDULE

8-18 @ Rockledge 7 p.m.
8-25  @ Titusville 7 p.m.
9-1  @ Satellite 7 p.m.
9-8 @ Bayside 7 p.m.
9-15 vs Centennial (Port St. Lucie) 7 p.m.
9-22 @ Merritt Island 7 p.m.
9-29 vs Viera 7 p.m.
10-6 @ Heritage 7 p.m.
10-13 @ South Fork (Stuart) 7 p.m.
10-20 Bye
10-27 vs Martin County (Stuart) 7 p.m.
11-3  vs Eau Gallie 7 p.m.

Melbourne Central Catholic Hustlers 

Aside from the Cocoa Tigers, perhaps no other Brevard County team enters the 2017 season with higher expectations than do the MCC Hustlers.

Last year, MCC missed playing in Orlando by one game but return the County’s leading passer in Joaquin Collazo and fastest running back in South Carolina commit, LaVonte Valentine. Add in top tackler Cam Rivamonte and several top-notch talented all-purpose athletes in players like Zamari Walton and Lorenzo Hardy and head coach Stacey Sizemore says a state championship is within reach. Sizemore also added a new offensive coordiantor in former UCF QB and St. Thomas Aquinas OC, Ryan Schneider this season.

The schedule is as tough as any in the state but the Hustlers coaching staff owns nine combined state title rings and believe this year they can make it 10.

FNLR Steve Wilson & Orville Susong: Stacy Sizemore, the 2016 FNLR co-coach of the year, will lead a very talented squad in 2017.  Look for 2016 FNLR 1st team QB Joquain Collazo to put up big numbers under first year offensive coordinator Ryan Schneider.

Senior Running Back Lavonte Valentine leads the Hustler’s ground attack for 2017 after his recent commitment to the South Carolina Gamecocks. Colin Ziemer, SCD Image)

2017 SCHEDULE

8-25 @ Buford (Buford, Georgia) 7:30 p.m.
9-1 vs Palm Beach Central (Wellington) 7 p.m.
9-8 @ Archbishop McCarthy (Fort Lauderdale) 7 p.m.
9-15 @ Kingdom Prep (Auburndale) 7 p.m.
9-22 vs Tarpon Springs (Tarpon Springs) 7 p.m.
9-29 BYE
10-6 vs Bishop Moore (Orlando) 7 p.m.
10-14 @ Fort Hill (Cumberland, Maryland) 7 p.m.
10-20 @ South Fork (Stuart) 7 p.m.
10-26 @ Atlantic (Port Orange) 7 p.m.**
11-3 vs Central (Fort Pierce) 7 p.m.

** Game being played at Spruce Creek High School

Merritt Island Christian Cougars

• Cougars open the Kickoff Classic @ Jupiter Christian

• Merritt Island Christian’s schedule features four home games for the year

• Head Coach Jamie Bopp enters his second season

Coach Bopp attended a clinic at UCF this past year and will have his players wear QB wrist bands to receive the play call to conserve energy for the players and move faster.

The Cougars have a small roster which brings more opportunities for playing time and experience. Coaches hope that wields more opportunities for the underclassmen and will provide winning results for this season and beyond.

Merritt Island Christian will debut new threads this year as the school ordered new uniforms through Under Armour.

2017 SCHEDULE

8-18 @ Jupiter Christian (Jupiter) 4 p.m.
8-25 @ Lake Mary Prep (Lake Mary) 7 p.m.
9-1 Bye
9-8 vs Ocala Christian (Ocala) 7 p.m.
9-14 @ Florida High School For the Deaf (St. Augustine) 7 p.m.
9-22 vs Halifax Academy (Daytona Beach) 7 p.m.
9-29 Bye
10-6 @ Keswick Christian (St. Petersburg) 7 p.m.
10-13 vs Eagle’s View (Jacksonville) 7 p.m.
10-20 Bye
10-27 Avant Garde Academy (Kissimmee) 7 p.m.
11-3 @ Cornerstone Charter Academy (Belle Isle) 7 p.m.

Merritt Island Mustangs

The Mustangs run of five straight district titles ended last season after falling to Palm Bay but if you know anything about recent FACA Hall of Fame inductee and Merritt Island’s head coach, Jeff Mclean, then you know that was merely a bump in the road.

Under McLean, as either offensive coordinator or head coach, the Mustangs have captured 15 district titles. In his 10 seasons as head coach of the Mustangs, Merritt Island has averaged over eight wins (83-37) a seasaon. Mason Denaburg was penciled in as the quarterback but has decided to stick to baseball where he is a potential first round draft pick. Regardless, Mclean will have the answer and there is still talented players like WR/RB Deben Peterson and C/LB Andrew Beardall. Circle September 29 on your calendar when the Mustnags host the PalmBay Pirates.

Since 2013, the winner of this game has gone onto to claim the district title. Palm Bay won last year 27-10 but the Mustangs won the previous three matchups.

FNLR Steve Wilson & Orville Susong: The Mustangs, a perennial playoff team, should continue their ways in 2017.

2017 SCHEDULE

8-24  vs Avon (Avon, OH) 8 p.m.
9-1 vs Heritage 7 p.m.
9-8 vs Astronaut 7:30 p.m.
9-15 @ Viera 7 p.m.
9-22 vs Melbourne 7 p.m.
9-29 vs Palm Bay 7 p.m.
10-6 @ Keswick Christian (St. Petersburg) 7 p.m.
10-13 @ Titusville 7 p.m.
10-20 vs Rockledge 7 p.m.
10-27 @ Space Coast 7 p.m.
11-4 @ Sebring (Sebring) 7 p.m.

Palm Bay Pirates

Last season Palm Bay finished 10-1 and recaptured the district championship. But the season ended on a sour note as the Pirates lost a second-round home playoff game they felt they should have won. Pirates head coach Dan Burke, who enters his 21st season at Palm Bay is looking for trip number 20 to the playoffs in 2017. Palm Bay’s defense was tops in the county last season allowing just 30-points to Brevard County teams while pitching five shutouts. The Pirates always have athletes ready to play and this year is no different.

On offense, the Pirates will lean on quarterback Ken McKay, who is arguably the best dual threat signal caller in the county.

2017 SCHEDULE

8-25 vs Sebastian River (Sebastian) 7 p.m.
9-1 @ Martin County (Stuart) 7 p.m.
9-8 vs Heritage 7 p.m.
9-15 @ Titusville 7 p.m.
9-22 @ Palm Beach Central (Wellington) 7 p.m.
9-29 @ Merritt Island 7 p.m.
10-6 Bye
10-13 vs Rockledge 7 p.m.
10-20 vs Space Coast 7 p.m.
10-27 Bye
11-3 @ Treasure Coast (Port St. Lucie) 7 p.m.

Rockledge Raiders

SPACE COAST DAILY TVSpace Coast Daily was live on the campus of Rockledge High School where Alan Zlotorzynzki speaks with Raiders head coach Wayne Younger about the upcoming 2017 prep football season.

• Rockledge Raiders finished 3-6 last season

The Raiders benefitted greatly this past offseason by the FHSAA’s rules allowing player transfers. No players move from one team to another created as much news as when Florida State commit, RB Jashaun Corbin left Holy Triity for Rockledge. Under third year head coach, Wayne Younger, Rockledge should be vastly improved. They have the necessary skill position players in Corbin, Jalen Mitchell, Laquentin Hastie,  Antoine Green and Adreal Johnson to make enough plays to win.

The question mark is in the trenches.  We will know a lot about the Raiders to start and end the season. They open against Viera and close out the season against the Cocoa Tigers in the annual Barbeque Bowl. If Rockledge can play well in the trenches, blocking and tackling, Youngers team could easily double their win output of three from a year ago and could even be a playoff team.

FNLR Steve Wilson & Orville Susong: With the addition of Jashaun Corbin, you will be hard pressed to find three more talented skill position players on one team besides Corbin, Jalen Mitchell, and Antoine Green.  Should be an exciting year for the Raiders.

2017 SCHEDULE

8-18 vs Melbourne 7 p.m.
8-25 @ Viera 7 p.m.
9-1 vs Yulee (Yulee) 7 p.m.
9-8 @ Eau Gallie 7 p.m.
9-15 vs Space Coast 7 p.m.
9-22 Bye
9-29 vs Mount Dora (Mount Dora) 7 p.m.
10-13 @ Palm Bay 7 p.m.
10-20 @ Merritt Island 7 p.m.
10-27 vs Titusville 7 p.m.
11-3 vs Cocoa 7 p.m.

Satellite Scorpions

ABOVE VIDEO: Space Coast Daily continues it’s coverage of previewing the 2017 High School football season by visiting with new Satellite Scorpion head coach Ted Kimmey on Tuesday. 

The Scorpions are entering a new era with a new head coach. As a graduate of the United States Military Acdemy at West Point, Ted Kimmey has drawn up a blueprint for success, both on and off the field. Kimmey isn’t new to Satellite, he was the OC there for a few seasons and has worked with the players he hopes will have Satellite back in the post season for the first time in 25-years. Those players include state pole vaulting champ and QB Noah Mumme and his backfield mate and state runner up in pole vaulting, RB Luis Morris. On defense Kimmey has Andy Abendroth manning the linebacker position and Eric Nicks in the secondary.

If the Scorps stick to Kimmey’s blueprint for success and execute to their abilities on the field, Satellite should be one of the most improved teams anywhere in 2017.

FNLR Steve Wilson & Orville Susong: First year coach Ted Kimmey has the Scorps headed in the right direction. After a summer of conditioning, and giving back to the community, the Scorps appear to be in the right frame of mind for the fall. They will fight as hard as any team in Brevard County.

2017 SCHEDULE

8-18 @ Key West (Key West) 7 p.m.
8-25 vs Eau Gallie 7 p.m.
9-1 vs Melbourne 7 p.m.
9-8 vs Father Lopez 7 p.m.
9-15 @ Atlantic (Port Orange) 7 p.m.
9-22 vs Bayside 7 p.m.
9-29 @ Trinity Prep (Winter Park) 7 p.m.
10-6 vs Astronaut 7 p.m.
10-13 Bye
10-20 vs Fernandina Beach 7 p.m.
10-27 @ Harmony (Harmony) 7:30 p.m.
11-3  @ Cocoa Beach 7 p.m.

Space Coast Vipers

The FHSAA’s liberal player movement rules have severly hurt the Vipers this offseason. Head coach Jake Owens team lost five key players, including his QB and top wideout. With that said, Owens is the type of coach that will rally his team and have them ready to play. Getting back to basics and techniques is going to be Owens’ approach and he will rely heavily on players like S.I Washington to lead the Vipers back. Space Coast is deep and talented where it matters most, in the trenches. The Vipers return several key players up front including five seniors who will help protect senior QB Andrew Morrisey and open holes for a young but very talented backfield.

FNLR Steve Wilson & Orville Susong: With the loss of a few key players, Coach Jake Owens will be counting on some of his younger players to step up and contribute.  FNLR believes they will!

2017 SCHEDULE

8-18 vs John Carroll Catholic (Fort Pierce, FL) 7 p.m.
8-25 vs Harmony (Harmony) 7:30 p.m.
9-1  @ Father Lopez (Daytona Beach) 7 p.m.
9-8 @ Port St. Lucie (Port St. Lucie) 7 p.m.
9-15 @ Rockledge 7 p.m.
9-22 @ Poinciana (Kissimmee) 7 p.m.
9-29 vs Titusville 7 p.m.
10-6 @ Warner Christian Academy (South Daytona)  7 p.m.
10-13 Bye
10-20 @ Palm Bay 7 p.m.
10-27 vs Merritt Island 7 p.m.
11-3  vs Trinity Prep (Winter Park) 7 p.m.

Titusville Terriers

Perhaps no other coach is as dedicated to his program more than the Terriers Wayne Lawrence. This season Lawrence lost several key players to graduation and transfer. The Terriers are young and lack depth but that won’t deter coach Lawrence or his team.

Look for the Terriers to shock a few teams this year, as players learn to play both ways and gel as a team throughout the season.

FNLR Steve Wilson & Orville Susong: Coach Wayne Lawrence will need to find a replacement for talented linebacker Bobby Bruce.  The Terriers also have more holes to fill.  Coach Lawrence has his work cut out for him, but he’s one of the best around.

2017 SCHEDULE

8-18 vs Seabreeze (Daytona Beach) 7 p.m.
8-25 vs Melbourne 7:30 p.m.
9-1 @ Bishop Verot (Fort Myers) 7 p.m.
9-8  vs New Smyrna Beach 7 p.m.
9-15 vs Palm Bay 7 p.m.
9-22 vs Godby (Tallahassee) 7 p.m.
9-29 @ Space Coast 7 p.m.
10-6 @ Eau Gallie  7 p.m.
10-13 vs Merritt Island 7 p.m.
10-20 Bye
10-27 @ Rockledge  7 p.m.
11-3  @ Astronaut 7 p.m.

Viera Hawks

The question isn’t whether the Hawks are good enough to make the playoffs, the question is, how many playoff games will Viera win in 2017. With 16 returning players and a defense that returns it’s leading tackler, sacker and defensive back, the Hawks are eying a return trip to Orlando in December.

The offense will run through QB Tim DeMorat and he has the weapons to get the ball down the field in head coach Kevin Mays up-tempo spread it out style. On defense, the Hawks will be very good. They return US Military Academy, Army commit Brandon Mays, their leading tackler in 2016 and the player that led the the county in sacks in 2016, Miguel Rodriguez. Toss in Q. Phillips, who led the state 4A champion Cocoa Tigers in interceptions last season to the Hawks secondary and the Viera defense is arguably as good as any at all three levels.

The Hawks are also one of the few teams complete in all three phases as place kicker Trey Schaneville can hit from just about anywhere for three points. Circle September 22 on your calendar, could this be the year Viera beats Cocoa?

FNLR Steve Wilson & Orville Susong: Can the Hawks make a return trip to Orlando in December? They are solid in al three phases of the game, so don’t be surprised!

2017 SCHEDULE

8-18 @ Vero Beach 7 p.m.
8-25 vs Rockledge 7 p.m.
9-1 @ Gonzaga (Washington D.C.) 6:30 p.m.
9-8 vs Osceola 7:30 p.m.
9-15 vs Merritt Island 7 p.m.
9-22 @ Cocoa 7 p.m.
9-29 @ Melbourne 7 p.m.
10-6 Bye
10-13 @ Martin County (Stuart) 7 p.m.
10-20 Bye
10-27 vs South Forke (Stuart) 7 p.m.
11-3 vs Heritage 7 p.m.

ABOVE VIDEO: Space Coast Daily’s Alan Zlotorzynski was live from the Viera Hawks camp. Viera and the rest of Brevard County hit the practice field this week for their first day of preparation for the upcoming 2017 season.