Some quick thoughts at the conclusion of the Class 2A championship game between Glades Central and Cocoa. Cocoa won, 14-13. Apologies for my Twitter. I was over my Tweet limit with about 4 minutes left.
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FOURTH-QUARTER THOUGHTS
Play of the quarter: It was the game-winning touchdown, a 3-yard run by Devonte Jones that capped off a long drive by Cocoa. It was the only drive Cocoa sustained all game, but it was decisive.
A stat-less victory. Cocoa ran 41 times for 131 yards and still won. The turning play was a kickoff return to open the second half. Antwan Lee took it 69 yards to the house, and that was it.
Stats: Aaron Baker took 15 carries for 60 yards. Jamarious Rowley was 15 for 26 for 210 yards and two picks. Jaime Wilson had six catches for 46 yards. Devonte Jones had 13 carries for 47 yards and a touchdown.
THIRD-QUARTER THOUGHTS
Play of the quarter: On third-and-1 at the Cocoa 37, Baker took a quick base handoff to the right and busted free for a 24-yard gain and a first down. It was just the second time of the night Baker got to the second level, and it was a huge first-down run. It eventually set up Dominique Gibson on a 5-yard touchdown run to close out the third quarter.
Cocoa needs to get going … now. If Cocoa wants a chance at winning this game, it has to get going. The Tigers have no generated any offense (22 carries, 66 yards) and only have seven points because of a kick return for a TD. Glades Central has been swarming tonight.
SECOND-QUARTER THOUGHTS
Play of the quarter: Jamarious Rowley looked right and hit Davonte Allen (again), this time on a quick hitch to the right no more than 5 yards downfield. The Cocoa defender covering Allen (I didn’t get his number) tried to jump the route but missed it. Allen broke loose and sprinted down the sideline all the way to the 1-yard line before he was pushed out for a 42-yard gain. It actually looked like he got into the end zone.
A stuffed run by Aaron Baker and an incomplete quick slant to Robert Burgess ensued. But Rowley pushed the pile into the end zone on third down for the score.
Swarming Glades Central defense. Cocoa has 19 carries for 57 yards as a team. Antwan Lee has eight carries for 25 yards, but he was absolutely wrecked by Dominique Gibson on a sweep to the left and lost the ball. Glades Central’s Robert Way fell on it, ending what looked like a promising chance for Cocoa to score.
Halftime stats: Rowley is 9 of 15 for 145 yards and one interception. Baker has nine carries for 20. Allen has three catches for 78 yards. Jatavis Brown has five tackles and one for loss. Antwan Lee has eight carries for 25 yards.
FIRST-QUARTER THOUGHTS
Play of the quarter It has to be the 39-yard bomb that quarterback Jamarious Rowley hit Davonte Allen with down the right side of the field. Cocoa is in a 3-3 front, with five defensive backs and one safety helping over the top. Allen blew through coverage and made the sliding catch. If it was in stride, he could’ve taken it to the house.
Baker off to a strong start. Aaron Baker is a between-the-tackles guy who can punish people. He has shown his value early on, running for 17 yards in the first quarter.