JACKSONVILLE – It had all the makings of a classic, two state ranked teams ranked No. 2 in their respective classes, two defending state champions and a wild third quarter that had everyone on their edge of their seat and witnessing what all the hype was about.
For at least once, THE game lived up to all the hype and more in a thrilling Cocoa 24-21 win over host Trinity Christian at Conquerors Stadium.
One thing is for sure when Trinity coaches watch the film they will see a lot of spectacular plays from Cocoa tailback Javian Hawkins that will make them toss and turn in their sleep.
The 5-8, 175 pound scat back, who is committed to Louisville, burned the lethal Trinity defense for 178 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries.
Both of his touchdowns came at crucial points in the game and stunned the crowd with his athleticism showing those in attendance why schools like Louisville are recruiting him.
Locked in a defensive battle, Hawkins made an ordinary 12-yard touchdown run into a breath taking run; by taking the handoff left fighting off two missed tackles and then had the vision to cut back right and behind two lineman blockers walked into the end zone for a 7-0 lead four minutes into the second quarter.
Cocoa would add a 32 yard field goal from Alex Petruzzello with 10 seconds left to take a 10-0 lead they thought into halftime.
Unfortunately, Tyreke Johnson had other ideas taking the handoff from Kyjuan Herndon on a reverse taking the ensuing kickoff back 89 yards down the Trinity sideline for a surprising score cutting the lead to 10-7 at halftime.
That was the jolt of energy, Trinity needed to get back into the game and seize the momentum after playing such a terrible first half.
Two plays into the third quarter, quarterback Austin Thomas surprised the Cocoa defense with a play action pass by hitting Isaiah Washington in stride for a 60 yard touchdown pass giving Trinity their first lead of the game at 14-10 just seconds into the third.
All that momentum though would be gone three plays later, when Hawkins broke free from 60 yards out to give Cocoa a 17-14 lead a minute later.
Thomas connected with Washington again on the Conquerors next drive this time from 48 yards to give Trinity the lead back at 21-17 at the midway point of the third quarter.
Again it was short lived though as the Tigers answered again Hawkins rumbled 31 yards near midfield to set up Willie Gaines 4 yard touchdown run which gave the Tigers the lead back at 24-21 with 3:40 left in the third quarter.
The 28 point third quarter set up what many would have thought to be a climatic and deciding fourth quarter, it was anything but that.
Trinity Christian was down & looking out vs. Cocoa Beach
As time expires in the 1st half Tyreke Johnson GOODBYE#TeamSideline@Im_showtime_ pic.twitter.com/uboLAZmfmZ— Brian Chojnacki (@BroadcastingBri) August 26, 2017
Two possessions later, Trinity was driving for a possible tying field goal or winning score driving inside the 30-yard line at the midway point of the fourth quarter.
However, Trinity offensive coordinator Gus Scott gambled and called another running play on fourth and 2 and Marcus Crowley, 44 yards on 19 carries, was hit for a loss and fumbled the ball away to Cocoa lineman Trevon McClain at the 29-yard line giving the Tigers the ball back.
Fortunately, for Scott the defense bailed him out forcing a three and out and thanks to a shank punt, gave the Conquerors the ball back near midfield with under five minutes left in the game.
Despite the descent field position, the lethargic offense went three and out after Thomas was sacked on a flea flicker pass.
Faced with fourth and 6, Trinity coaches called a fake punt and Johnson scrambled left and was met by a host of Tiger defenders and fumbled the ball away back to the Tigers.
Hawkins put the nail on the coffin with a 11 yard run picking up the first down and allowing the Tigers to take a couple of knees to end the game.
The loss of All-Americans DJ Matthews and Shaun Wade looked too much to overcome as the offense only managed 229 total yards and looked like a work in progress; while the stout defense gave up an unheard of 254 rushing yards and 353 total yards.
FINAL: COCOA 24 TRINITY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY 21 #321RECRUITS #FLHSFB #HOTBEDWORLD pic.twitter.com/tT70fR5ILh
— 321 Recruits (@raefsu23) August 26, 2017
Thomas connected with Washington on 3 of the 4 passes for 123 yards and two scores to lead the Trinity offense.
Defensively, the Conquerors were led by Chamarri Conner, Eriq Gilyard and Nyem Bozeman who all made several tackles.
The learning curve on offense will have to adjust quickly and get back to work immediately as Trinity (0-1) travels to Ribault (1-0) next Friday at 7 p.m. in another big showdown.
