Cocoa edges out Sanford Seminole in defensive battle: 3 takeaways

The Tigers overcome losing head coach Ryan Schnieder to defeat Seminoles

COCOA, FLORIDA- The last time Cocoa and Sanford Seminole met, it ended with the Seminoles winning an overtime classic. 

There was no shortage of offensive fireworks last year, with the teams combining for 64 points. This go around, points were scarce as defense reigned supreme. 

It looked like Cocoa at the outset would control the game at the line of scrimmage, with the Tigers stonewalling the Seminoles with three negative runs. That didn’t deter Seminole whatsoever. 

The Tigers struck first on the scoreboard when quarterback Brady Hart (16-of-32, 255 yards) found surehanded wide receiver Jayvan Boggs (seven catches, 170 yards) on a 42-yard touchdown. Getting in any kind of rhythm offensively was out of the question as penalties hindered both clubs. 

More so Cocoa, with head coach Ryan Schnieder visibly frustrated with the officiating throughout the evening. 

It was tough sledding moving the ball offensively for Karson Siqueiros-Lasky as the Penn commitment finished completing 14-of-31 passing for 126 yards and three interceptions. All three of Siqueiros-Lasky’s interceptions went to CJ Hester on the night. 

What ended up becoming the turning point of the game was when Schnieder was ejected from the game after receiving multiple penalties for sideline infractions. Up 7-3 at the time, it was seemingly the rallying cry that Cocoa needed to get by Seminole. 

From there on out, the Tigers were dialed in offensively and defensively. Cocoa reeled off three touchdowns after Schneider’s removal from the game. Hart ended up finding Boggs on a 26-yard strike for a touchdown to ballon the lead. Scoring runs were added on by running backs Malachi Coney and Latrison Lane, respectively. 

Now attention shifts for the Tigers to how long could they be without Schnieder moving forward. 

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Cocoa-Seminole 3 takeaways 

Jayvan Boggs needs to be getting more attention

If you’re someone who doesn’t really know about Boggs, well, you should. 

He’s rated a 3-star wide receiver according to 247Sports, but trust us when we say he will be a 4-star eventually. Boggs makes all the difficult catches across the middle and is able to gobble up yards after the catch. 

The wide receiver finished the game with just under 200 yards receiving and two scores. Despite Sanford Seminole doing its best to try and contain the tandem of Boggs and CJ Bragg, it was too much to handle. 

With Florida and Ohio State at the top of Boggs’ list of schools, either program would be getting a steal of a receiver. 

Sanford Seminole defense is for real 

We know they just give up near 30 points, but we have to give it up to this unit because they were on the field a lot. 

If not for the offense not being able to sustain drives and score touchdowns, the Seminoles’ defensive unit did a bang up job under the circumstances. 

Duke commitment Preston Watson was a menace coming after Hart all night long on the defensive line. Time after time, Watson just looked flat out unblockable. 

Another player that stood out for the Seminoles was 6-foot-2, 200-pound linebacker Ethan Prichard, who will be one of the best backers in state heading into 2024. 

This defense played the part of an elite unit, even though the score doesn’t say so. 

These two teams should meet every year 

From the week-long build up to the pregame trash talking to the overall competitiveness between the two clubs, we’re sold on the Seminoles and Tigers making this an every year occurrence. 

It’s a great barometer-type of game for both programs as each one is looking to raise the bar and see where they’re at. 

Not to mention the bevy of Power Five talent that’s playing on the field as well. Both Schnieder and Karl Calhoun could be adversaries in this matchup for quite some time. 

Here’s our plea to both teams to keep this game going come 2024. 

-- Andy Villamarzo | villamarzo@scorebooklive.com | @sblivefl