A bunch of Florida's most coveted recruits will be on the field for this one.
Video: Top 10 Games of the WeekCocoa (Fla.) at IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.)Why it's big: Cocoa's stock in the national polls could soar with a win Friday night at No. 20 IMG Academy. The Tigers very much have an "anytime, anyplace" mentality when it comes to scheduling. Although this is Cocoa's first regular-season game against a nationally ranked Florida team in recent years, it owns a 5-6 record against highly respected opponents from outside Florida since 2010.
Despite its loss to No. 19 American Heritage (Plantation) in the preseason (which didn't officially count), IMG looks like it's firing on all cylinders now. The Ascenders went on the road and throttled preseason Top 5 team DeSoto (Texas) last week, 47-29.
Shea Patterson – 247Sports' top-rated pro-style quarterback – threw touchdown passes to seniors
Drake Davis and
Kerrick Hahn. Davis, a four-star prospect, also leaped over center to block a DeSoto PAT.
Names to watch: Six of 247Sports' Top 15 seniors in the state of Florida will participate in this game. Five of them will suit up for IMG, including Patterson and fellow five-star prospects defensive tackle
Shavar Manuel, tight end
Isaac Nauta and defensive back
Saivion Smith.
Cocoa's top-rated player is senior running back/defensive back
Chauncey Gardner. The four-star Florida recruit captured championships in the 100- and 200-meter races at the Class 2A state track meet last spring.
Photos by MaxPreps Photographers/Graphic by Ryan Escobar
