Cocoa Fla. The worst fears of the Trinity Christian faithful came true Sunday afternoon in Cocoa Florida. A loss to 14 point underdog Cocoa on national television revealed what many of us have speculated during the preseason, that Trinity looks vulnerable. A poor showing against Lee in a scrimmage and lack luster performance versus North Marion in the kickoff classic was only a prelude to what we saw week #1 in the regular season.
After trailing the entire game, Trinity tied the contest 20-20 with 32 seconds to play in the 4th quarter when Legend Brumbaugh converted a 2 point conversion following a 5yd touchdown pass to Shaun Wade.Trinity took it’s first lead of the game in overtime electing to kick a field goal instead of going for a touchdown to go up 23-20 on their offensive possession. Cocoa’s Quarterback Bruce Judson responded during the Tiger’s offensive possession with a keeper from 8 yards out to win the game 26-23 while millions watched on ESPN 2.
Final Overtime Score Jacksonville Trinity 23 Cocoa 26 #FloridaProspects #FloridaFootball pic.twitter.com/4HltGmCD2j
— FloridaProspects.com (@FloridaProspect) August 29, 2016
It was a great effort by the Conquerors who battled back valiantly after being down 17-6 at one point. Cocoa would score first on a 60 yard touchdown run by RB Javian Hawkins early in the first quarter. Trinity would answer with a nice drive of their own. Brumbaugh hit Wade for a long play to set up shop for Trinity deep in Tiger territory. However two sacks on Rasheed Martin and then Brumbaugh forced Trinity to kick a field goal. The game was 7-3. A Tiger touchdown in the second quarter pushed the lead to 14-3 after an interception gave them good field position. The next Trinity possession once again ended in the Coca redzone but the Conqerors had to settle for a 49 yard field goal this time, to make the score 14-6. Cocoa tacked on a field goal to make it 17-6, when D.J Mathews took the ensuing kickoff 80 yards for a touchdown. The score was 17-12 at halftime.
Trinity Christian Academy's (FSU Commit) DJ Mathews Makes A Big Play Against Cocoa pic.twitter.com/BBSqdhhOGg
— FloridaProspects.com (@FloridaProspect) August 29, 2016
Mathews, Wade and Martin are bright spots for Trinity on offense. Mathews is the most electrifying player in High School football, and he proved today that even when teams scheme to stop him he can still find ways to score. Yet Trinity must find ways to score touchdowns without leaning on Mathews.They were efficient in moving the ball between the tens, but struggled in the redzone. They also must learn how to stop the run better on defense. Cocoa saw North Marion Quarterback K.J Minter have success running the ball against the Conquerors defense. Their play maker Bruce Judson had similar success on designed plays. It’s something Ribault will undoubtedly try to duplicate next week, when the Conquerors look to rebound versus the Trojans.
