Football: Cocoa vs. Rockledge in the 43rd annual BBQ Bowl headlines Week 11

Jon Santucci, Florida Today
·5 min read

The 43rd annual BBQ Bowl is for Space Coast bragging rights, but it also could send a loud message to the rest of the state.

Cocoa (5-3, No. 2 Class 2S on the USA Today Florida Network poll) hosts rival Rockledge (8-1, No. 2 Class 3S) in the season finale on Friday. This game has all the makings of another instant classic; the past three games have all been decided by nine points or less.

But with both teams jockeying for seeding position in the FHSAA power rankings — Rockledge is No. 2 in Class 3S and Cocoa is No. X in Class 2S — and expecting to vie for a state championship in their respective classes, the outcome of this game will be closely monitored by other title contenders.

Both teams boast elite talent.

Cocoa is led by senior quarterback Blake Boda (2,514 yards, 32 touchdowns), junior wide receiver Ric’Darious Farmer (597 yards, six touchdowns) and Ohio State commit Cedrick Hawkins (379 receiving yards, 31 tackles).

Rockledge headliners include junior safety Jaylen Heyward (three interceptions, four forced fumbles), junior linebacker DJ McCormick (75 tackles, three interceptions) and senior wide receiver Eddie Combs (307 yards, four touchdowns).

Here are some of the other top games to watch in Week 11.

Boone at Edgewater

The 71st annual Battle for the Barrell features two district champions from Orlando who also boast two of the top senior playmakers in the state – Edgewater running back Cedric Baxter Jr. (Texas commit) and Boone wide receiver Aidan Mizell (Florida commit). Boone (6-3) has won three in a row with a pair of shutouts along the way. Edgewater (9-0, No. 2 Class 3M) is looking to hold off St. Thomas Aquinas for the top overall seed in Class 3M.

Niceville High School's Deangelo Shorts runs the ball during the Eagles district home game against Mosley High School on Thursday, Oct. 27, 2022.
Niceville High School's Deangelo Shorts runs the ball during the Eagles district home game against Mosley High School on Thursday, Oct. 27, 2022.

Niceville at Navarre

Two of the top teams in Region 1-4S face off in a game that likely will decide the No. 3 seed in the region and could drop the loser to the No. 5 seed. The only loss for either team this season was against Pine Forest, the top-ranked team in Class 3S. Niceville (8-1, No. 7 Class 4S) rallied from a 21-7 halftime deficit to beat Mosley in the District 2-4S championship game last week. Navarre (8-1, No. 9 Class 4M) is on a seven-game win streak and has won four consecutive one-score games.

Joquez Smith (24) of Jesuit scores a touchdown during first quarter of the Class 6A state championship game against Pine Forest at DRV PNK Stadium, Fort Lauderdale, FL Dec. 17, 2021.
Joquez Smith (24) of Jesuit scores a touchdown during first quarter of the Class 6A state championship game against Pine Forest at DRV PNK Stadium, Fort Lauderdale, FL Dec. 17, 2021.

Jesuit at Tampa Catholic

This is matchup of two surging Tampa private schools that are looking to remain the top seeds in their respective regions. Jesuit (6-3, No. 6 Class 3M) has won three consecutive games since dropping three of four earlier in the year. Tampa Catholic (7-1, No. 7 Class 2M) have won six games in a row and have scored at least 35 points in four consecutive games.

Bishop Kenny quarterback (9) James Resar launches a pass during early first quarter action. The Bishop Kenny Crusaders football team hosted the Baker County Wildcats Friday, October 1, 2021.
Bishop Kenny quarterback (9) James Resar launches a pass during early first quarter action. The Bishop Kenny Crusaders football team hosted the Baker County Wildcats Friday, October 1, 2021.

Bishop Kenny at University Christian

Two of the top private schools in Jacksonville meet in the season finale. Bishop Kenny (8-1, No. 8 Class 2M) is coming off a come-from-behind win against Bolles to win the District 2-2M title last week. University (8-1, No. 5 Class 1M) rebounded from a tough 20-13 loss against Trinity Christian with a win against Terry Parker in its last game.

Cardinal Newman wide receiver Nae’Shaun Montgomery (3) catches a touchdown pass against John Carroll during a 40-7 victory Monday night in West Palm Beach.
Cardinal Newman wide receiver Nae’Shaun Montgomery (3) catches a touchdown pass against John Carroll during a 40-7 victory Monday night in West Palm Beach.

Cardinal Newman at Gulliver Prep

Cardinal Newman (9-0, No. 3 Class 1M) looks to complete a perfect regular season on the road Thursday against a talented Gulliver squad. The Raiders (5-3, ARV Class 2M) have won five in a row since starting the season 0-3. With Gulliver having played a pair of Region 3-1M teams this season (Chaminade-Madonna and Benjamin), this could be a good barometer game for Chaminade. Gulliver will be looking to keep its momentum going into the postseason.

Lakewood (6-3, No. 10 Class 2M) at Lakeland (8-0, No. 1 Class 4S)

Clearwater Academy International (7-1) vs. Venice (6-2, No. 3 Class 4M)

Bradford (9-0, No. 3 Class 2S) vs. Suwanee (6-3, No. 8 Class 2S)

Williston (9-0, ARV Class 1R) at Chiefland (5-1, No. 4 Class 1R)

Bay (8-1, No. 10 Class 2S) at Northview (9-0, ARV Class 1R)

Melbourne (7-2, ARV Class 4S) at Eau Gallie (7-2, No. 7 Class 3S)

Here are the top individual matchups featuring top recruits to watch in Week 11.

Clearwater Academy International 2023 OL Lucas Simmons vs. Venice 2023 EDGE Damon Wilson

Simmons is committed to Florida State

Josh Philostin (2) of Cardinal Newman (2) catches a pass over the middle as Pahokee's Bijay Boldin (9) closes in on the play on Thursday, August 25, 2022 in Pahokee.
Josh Philostin (2) of Cardinal Newman (2) catches a pass over the middle as Pahokee's Bijay Boldin (9) closes in on the play on Thursday, August 25, 2022 in Pahokee.

Gulliver Prep 2023 WR Jalen Brown vs. Cardinal Newman 2024 DB Josh Philostin

Brown is committed to LSU

Mandarin Mustangs' Jaime Ffrench (2) runs a play during the second quarter of a regular season football game Friday, Sept. 2, 2022 at The Bolles School in Jacksonville. The Bolles Bulldogs defeated the Mandarin Mustangs 27-20.
Mandarin Mustangs' Jaime Ffrench (2) runs a play during the second quarter of a regular season football game Friday, Sept. 2, 2022 at The Bolles School in Jacksonville. The Bolles Bulldogs defeated the Mandarin Mustangs 27-20.

Mandarin 2025 WR Jamie Ffrench vs. Bartram Trail 2023 CB Sharif Denson

Denson is committed to Florida

James Randle makes a one-handed catch for a 35-yard touchdown in Mainland's 42-29 win over DeLand, Friday, Aug. 26, 2022.
James Randle makes a one-handed catch for a 35-yard touchdown in Mainland's 42-29 win over DeLand, Friday, Aug. 26, 2022.

Mainland 2024 WR James Randle vs. Lake Mary 2023 CB Braeden Marshall

Marshall is committed to UCF

Treasure Coast defensive lineman Corey McIntyre Jr. is on TCPalm's 2022 Super 11 list of top senior recruits across the Treasure Coast.
Treasure Coast defensive lineman Corey McIntyre Jr. is on TCPalm's 2022 Super 11 list of top senior recruits across the Treasure Coast.

Chaminade Madonna 2023 IOL Deandre Duffus vs. Treasure Coast 2023 DL Corey McIntyre Jr.

Duffus is committed to Maryland; McIntyre is committed to West Virginia

Dillard 2023 WR Tastean Reddicks vs. Blanche Ely 2023 S Harlem Howard

Reddicks is committed to Oregon State

Dr. Phillips offensive tackle Payton Kirkland is one of the premier linemen in the nation. The 6-foot-7, 335-pounder had more than 50 college offers and is committed to Texas.
Dr. Phillips offensive tackle Payton Kirkland is one of the premier linemen in the nation. The 6-foot-7, 335-pounder had more than 50 college offers and is committed to Texas.

Dr. Phillips 2023 OT Payton Kirkland Jones 2023 LB Malik Bryant

Kirland is committed to Texas; Bryant is committed to Miami

West Orange 2024 QB Trever Jackson vs. Osceola 2023 DL John Walker

Walker is committed to UCF

Apopka 2023 OT Tai Ray vs. Wekiva 2024 EDGE Sincere Edwards

Ray is committed to Putt; Edwards is committed to UCF

Tampa Catholic 2024 OL Eddy Pierre-Louis vs. Jesuit 2024 EDGE Peter Pesansky

Buchholz Bobcats Gavin hill (6) runs off the field against the Columbia Tigers during the opening football game of the season at Citizens Field in Gainesville FL. August 25, 2022.
Buchholz Bobcats Gavin hill (6) runs off the field against the Columbia Tigers during the opening football game of the season at Citizens Field in Gainesville FL. August 25, 2022.

Bolles 2024 QB DJ Moore vs. Buchholz 2023 DL Gavin Hill

Hill is committed to Florida

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Football: Cocoa vs. Rockledge in the BBQ Bowl headlines Week 11