Football: Region final preview (Classes 4A-2A)

All games start at 7:30

Class 4A

Cocoa (9-0) at Tampa Catholic (7-2)

Stat leaders: Cocoa: DJ Arroyo, Sr. (280.0 passing yards per game); RB OJ Ross, Jr. (97.8 rushing yards per game); WR Davis Mallinger, Sr. (89.3 receiving yards per game); LB AJ Williams, Sr. (5.9 tackles per game); DL Daniel Robinson, Sr. (1.0 sacks per game); DB Cedrick Hawkins, So. (0.5 interceptions per game). Tampa Catholic: QB Xavione Washington, So. (98.0 passing yards per game); RB Antoine Hill, So. (85.4 rushing yards per game); Wr AJ Williams, Jr. (51.9 receiving yards per game); LB Edward Zanato, Sr. (12.7 tackles per game); LB Antonio Camon, So. (1.1 sacks per game); DB DD Snyder, Sr. (0.4 interceptions per game); DB Adrian Ramsey, Jr. (0.4 interceptions per game). 

Outlook: The Crusaders are coming off their best performance of the season, beating previously undefeated Lakewood 17-14 in double overtime. Now comes the biggest challenge yet. The Tigers have won five state titles since 2008 and have made it to the region final every year during that span. The big matchup will be Cocoa quarterback DJ Arroyo (2,240 yards, 19 touchdowns) going up against a Tampa Catholic secondary that has recorded 14 interceptions this season, including four by Illinois commit DD Snyder. 

Pinkos’ pick: Cocoa by 21

Putnam’s prediction: Cocoa 35-21

Class 3A

Berkeley Prep (6-1) at Lakeland Christian (8-2)

Stat leaders: Berkeley Prep: QB Gavin Rupp, Sr. (119.7 passing yards per game); RB Travis Bates, Jr. (87.0 rushing yards per game); RB Xavier Townsend, Jr. (81.1 rushing yards per game); WR RJ Garcia II, Sr. (59.7 receiving yards per game); DL/LB Austin Dean, Sr. (8.0 tackles per game; DL/LB Titus Bullard, Fr. (0.5 sacks per game); DB Damien Henderson, So. (0.5 interceptions per game). Lakeland Christian: QB Elijah Hunter, Sr. (104.0 passing yards per game); RB Jacorian Davis, Sr. (72.4 rushing yards per game); LB Bo Copen, Sr. (10.2 tackles, 0.7 sacks per game). DB EJ Vickers, Sr. (0.8 interceptions per game). 

Outlook: Since losing the season opener to Jesuit, the Buccaneers have won six straight, including a 34-28 victory over Lakeland Christian. In that game, Berkeley Prep relied heavily on its rushing attack, gaining 254 yards on the ground. Most of that came from Travis Bates and Xavier Townsend, who each had more than 100 yards. But the Buccaneers are not one-dimensional. They can hit big plays in the passing game, as evidenced by the 110 receiving yards Kansas State commit RJ Garcia had against the Vikings.   

Pinkos’ pick: Berkeley Prep by 6

Putnam’s prediction: Berkeley Prep 21-17

Class 2A

Seffner Christian (7-4) at Northside Christian (6-5)

Stat leaders: Seffner Christian: QB Titan Williamson, Sr. (149.4 passing yards per game); RB Jaydunn Walker, Sr. (48.3 rushing yards per game); DL Victor Black, Jr. (7.6 tackles, 1.6 sacks per game); WR Herman James, Sr. (56.6 receiving yards per game). Northside Christian: QB Scott Lynch, So. (226.1 passing yards per game); RB Brian James, Sr. (121.8 rushing yards per game); RB Zuri Watson, So. (89.0 rushing yards per game); WR One Williams, Jr. (73.3 receiving yards per game); DL Brock Richards, Sr. (2.0 tackles, 2.0 sacks per game); DB Azari Davis, Jr. (0.3 interceptions per game). 

Outlook: This is a rematch from last year’s region semifinals that the Crusaders won 49-21. Both teams look remarkably different this time around. Seffner Christian dealt with the graduation of quarterback Isaiah Knowles and multiple players who transferred to other schools in the offseason. Still, the Crusaders persevered, overcoming a 104 start to win their last six, including a wild 49-47 victory over Cambridge Christian in last week’s region semifinals. The Mustangs have rebounded from a similar shaky start, winning four of their last five, including a 42-33 victory over Carrollwood Day in last week’s region semifinals. 

Pinkos’ pick: Seffner Christian by 11

Putnam’s prediction: Seffner Christian 45-34