Rockledge Head Coach John Holmes Determined to Restore Tradition-Rich Football Program to Prominence
By Zane Garcia // June 25, 2026
Raiders Head Coach John Holmes now in his second season at Rockledge
BREVARD COUNTY • ROCKLEDGE, FLORIDA — As preparations continue for the 2026 high school football season, the Rockledge Raiders are focused on turning last year’s hard-fought campaign into a foundation for future success.
Space Coast Daily’s Zane Garcia recently spoke with Rockledge head coach John Holmes and several key players as the team gears up for what they hope will be a breakthrough season.
The Raiders finished the 2025 regular season with a 3-7 record but still earned a postseason spot.
Despite the losing record, there was a strong belief throughout the program that the team was more competitive than its record indicated.
Rockledge opened the season with three consecutive losses, but each contest showed the Raiders could compete with some of the area’s top programs.
In Week 1, Rockledge suffered a heartbreaking loss to Viera in a game that came down to the final moments. The Raiders followed that with another narrow defeat against Eau Gallie in Week 2.
Their third game came against Cardinal Mooney, a perennial powerhouse that Coach Holmes described as a valuable “playoff preparation” matchup.
Rockledge finally broke into the win column in Week 4 with a victory over Seabreeze.
The early-season challenges were amplified by a demanding schedule that required the Raiders to play their first four games away from home.
The competition did not get any easier afterward, as Rockledge faced strong programs such as Mandarin and Vero Beach later in the season.
Despite the difficult schedule and sub-.500 records, the Raiders earned a playoff berth. However, their postseason run was short-lived, as they failed to advance beyond the opening round.
The last time Rockledge won a playoff game came in 2023 when the Raiders finished 6-6 during former head coach Wayne Younger’s final season leading the program.
Now, Holmes is determined to restore one of Brevard County’s most tradition-rich football programs to prominence.
Before arriving at Rockledge, Holmes enjoyed success at Titusville, where he guided the Terriers to three consecutive playoff appearances.
As a Rockledge alumnus, he understands the expectations surrounding the Raiders and is focused on rebuilding the program into one of the county’s elite teams.
Several returning players are expected to play major roles in that effort.
Robbie Blalock Ready for Senior Season
Quarterback Robbie Blalock emerged as one of the team’s brightest spots last season.
After taking over as the starting quarterback in Week 3, the junior quickly established himself as the leader of the offense and never relinquished the position.
Blalock finished the season with 1,352 passing yards, 13 touchdown passes, and just four interceptions. His poise and decision-making helped stabilize the offense during a challenging season.
Entering his senior year, Blalock is expected to be one of the top returning quarterbacks in Brevard County and will be counted on to lead the Raiders back to the playoffs.
