WATCH HERE LIVE! Cocoa Hosts Rockledge in BBQ Bowl Action on Space Coast Daily TV

By  //  November 6, 2020

The Cocoa Tigers (6-0) and the Rockledge Raiders (5-0) both come into the game undefeated

Zachary Lovett of Rockledge, left, has to be accounted for on every play and Cocoa’s Da Da White has been a starter on the D-Line since he was in the 8th grade.

The 41st edition of the BBQ Bowl, featuring the Rockledge Raiders at the Cocoa Tigers, is the Game of the Year on the Space Coast. Be sure to tune into Space Coast Daily TV to watch all the action live, with Orville Susong and Steve Wilson on the call!

WATCH ALL THE ACTION LIVE BEGINNING AT 6:45 P.M. FRIDAY


This is the third decade of high school sports coverage for the principals of Space Coast Daily and the Friday Night Locker Room – brought you again this year by Erdman Automotive, Health First and All Points.


BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Call it what you want; the BBQ Bowl, the biggest rivalry on the Space Coast (of course that’s up for debate), or simply – Cocoa vs Rockledge. Whatever it’s called; this year, it is the biggest football game on the Space Coast, without question.

The Cocoa Tigers (6-0) and the Rockledge Raiders (5-0) both come into the game undefeated.

Both teams are loaded with talent; on both sides of the ball. And, both teams are led by dynamic senior quarterbacks.

D.J. Arroyo of the Tigers has thrown for 1,522 yards, 15 TD’s and has thrown 5 interceptions. He has five different receivers with at least 10 catches. Davis Mallinger looks to be Arroyo’s favorite target.

D.J. Arroyo of the Tigers has thrown for 1,522 yards, 15 TD’s and has thrown 5 interceptions. He has five different receivers with at least 10 catches.

The senior, West Virginia University commit, has 26 receptions, 533 yards and has scored five TD’s. Jamariyae Robinson, who is also an outstanding basketball player, has caught 22 passes for 333 yards and three TD’s.

On the ground, the Tigers have multiple weapons. O.J. Ross continues to put up impressive numbers, leading the team with 496 yards, and five rushing TD’s. Ross has also caught 12 passes for 148 yards and two TD’s.

Tay Tay Farmer is dangerous on the ground averaging 10 yards per carry and has scored six TD’s (five rushing and one receiving).

Defensively, the Tigers have been “lights out!” They have recorded three shut-outs and have given up only 31 points. The Tigers defense reminds you of the offense; there are too any stars to single out just one!

That being said, Da Da White has been a starter on the D-Line since he was in the 8th grade, and is a special player. The senior is having the kind of year you would expect….outstanding! Cedric Hawkins leads an incredibly talented secondary with four interceptions.

The visiting Rockledge Raiders are almost a mirror image of their opponent.

Offensively, the Raiders are led by senior QB Elias Allen who has thrown for 747 yards, nine TD passes and only one interception. Allen is also a dangerous runner having rushed for 281 yards.

The Raiders have seven receivers averaging over 10 yards per reception. University of Arkansas commit, Raheim Sanders leads the way with 19 catches, 333 yards and four TD’s.

As a team, the Raiders average almost 10 yards per carry. Avery Smith, Virgil Marshall, Jalen Housey and Anthony Bridgewater will get the bulk of the carries from the running back position.

The “wildcard” player for the Raiders might be Bryce Norton. Norton has played running back, receiver, quarterback, and wherever else Coach Wayne Younger wants him to play. The speedster has scored four TD’s from multiple positions.

The Raiders defense has been just as stout as the Tigers. They have recorded two shutouts and only allowed 32 points. Anthony Bridgewater leads the team with 42 tackles, and Daryl Smith is second with 32.

Zachary Lovett (Missouri commit) has to be accounted for on every play. Phineas Allen and Terrance Neal are a pair of sophomores in the secondary that play as well as anyone.

The 41st BBQ Bowl has all the makings of a classic! It is a game a lot of people have been pointing to since the beginning of the season.

Both teams would like to carry a BBQ Bowl win with them as the playoffs begin. Which one will it be? If you can’t make it to the game, tune in to Space Coast Daily for the Friday Night Locker Room’s broadcast of the “Game of the Year” to find out!

This is the third decade of high school sports coverage for the principals of Space Coast Daily and the Friday Night Locker Room – brought you again this year by Erdman Automotive, Health First and All Points.

The Friday Night Locker Room – Space Coast Daily team is Brevard’s No. 1 Source for Sports.

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