Cocoa to Visit Bradford Tornadoes in Regional Final Friday as Tigers’ 4-Peat Title Quest Continues

Tigers Travel to Starke for High-Stakes Rematch in Regional Championship

The Cocoa High School Booster Club is raising funds to help cover transportation costs so the school’s cheerleaders and band can travel with the Tigers to their playoff game this Friday. The fundraising deadline is noon Thursday, Nov. 27 and donations can be made via Zelle at cocoatigersboosterclub@gmail.com or CashApp at $CocoaTigersBooster. For more information, supporters can contact Coach Meg at 321-507-5221 or Coach Durham at 404-798-3233.

BREVARD COUNTY • COCOA, FLORIDA — The Cocoa Tigers’ pursuit of a fourth consecutive state championship continues — and this postseason run carries even greater meaning as the program celebrates its 100th anniversary season.

After surviving a dramatic overtime victory last week, Cocoa remains on track in its bid for another title. However, the Tigers now face the challenge of finishing their championship journey away from home.

With playoff seeding set, Cocoa will travel to Starke, Florida, this Friday to face the Bradford Tornadoes in the Regional Final, with a spot in the state semifinals on the line.

This is a rematch of the teams’ Kickoff Classic meeting back in August, a game that gave both programs an early look at each other’s strengths and weaknesses, with host Cocoa winning 16-7.

Now, with months of development behind them and the stakes dramatically higher, the two teams meet again with far more than bragging rights at stake.

Cocoa enters the regional final with momentum after last week’s thrilling overtime win, a game that highlighted the Tigers’ toughness, depth, and ability to perform under pressure.

Known throughout the state for their speed and explosive offense, the Tigers have also leaned on their experience as defending champions to navigate tight situations during the postseason.

Bradford is expected to be equally prepared for the moment.

The Tornadoes have been especially tough at home this season and are backed by one of the most vocal crowds in North Florida. Their physical brand of football and disciplined defense have made them a difficult opponent, particularly in elimination games played on their home field.

Adding to the magnitude of this year’s playoff run is Cocoa’s 100th anniversary as a football program, a milestone few high school teams ever reach.

For a century, Cocoa High football has been a cornerstone of the community, producing winning seasons, championship teams, and generations of athletes who helped build one of Florida’s most respected football traditions.

Players and coaches have frequently acknowledged the added motivation that comes with representing the program during its centennial season.

The opportunity to secure a fourth straight state championship during the program’s 100th year only raises the stakes for this year’s team, which is attempting to cement its place among the greatest squads in school history.

Kickoff is set for Friday night in Starke. For Cocoa, it is not just another playoff game — it is another chapter in a century-long story, with history, tradition, and a championship dream riding on every snap.

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