Brevard High School Football Playoff Drama Builds as Space Coast Powers Chase Deep Runs

Eau Gallie and Merritt Island to clash again; Cocoa, Viera, MCC travel for Semifinals

The stakes rise and the field narrows as the second round of the FHSAA high school football playoffs kicks off Friday, with five Brevard County teams still fighting to extend their seasons and chase championship dreams.

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA — The stakes rise and the field narrows as the second round of the FHSAA high school football playoffs kicks off Friday, with five Brevard County teams still fighting to extend their seasons and chase championship dreams.

From powerhouse programs with title pedigrees to underdogs hoping to shock the bracket, the region is bracing for a night of hard-hitting, high-pressure football.

Class 1A: MCC Embraces Underdog Role Against Undefeated Carrollwood Day

Melbourne Central Catholic enters the weekend as Brevard’s biggest longshot — and perhaps its most intriguing storyline. The Hustlers (3-7) stunned Orlando Christian Prep 21-4 in last week’s opener, flashing a defensive grit that kept their season alive.

Their reward? A road trip to undefeated Carrollwood Day, a team that already proved its strength against Brevard competition by beating Merritt Island 24-14 last month. MCC will need a flawless performance to earn a spot in the Regional Final — but in November, chaos is always in play.

Class 2A: Cocoa Eyes Fourth Straight State Championship Run

Cocoa fans have seen this movie before.

Despite an up-and-down regular season, the Tigers (… as always) appear to be peaking at the perfect moment. Last week’s 42-13 dismantling of Newberry set up a critical matchup with Calvary Christian, with a familiar playoff foe waiting in the wings.

A win could send Cocoa into yet another showdown with Bradford, the team the Tigers beat in this year’s kickoff classic and edged in a previous state championship game. With three straight state titles in hand, Cocoa isn’t just defending a crown — they’re chasing dynasty status.

Class 3A: Eau Gallie–Merritt Island Rematch Headlines the County

Two weeks ago, Eau Gallie delivered a statement win, overpowering Merritt Island 48-22 in the Class 3A District 8 title game. Now, the rivals meet again — this time with a trip to the Regional Finals on the line.

Merritt Island looked revitalized in last week’s 41-13 victory over Titusville, a performance head coach Tyler Murray called the Mustangs’ “most complete game” of the year. But beating the Commodores after their recent loss will require another level of precision.

Regardless of the result, one thing is guaranteed: Brevard County will have a team in the Regional Finals and one win away from the State Semifinals.

Class 6A: Viera Takes Aim at Unbeaten Armwood

The Viera Hawks lit up Riverview 54-13 in round one, but this week presents a far tougher test: undefeated Armwood (11-0), who steamrolled Melbourne in a first-round shutout.

Viera (7-4) has shown firepower all season, but they’ll need a near-perfect outing to topple one of the state’s most complete teams. A win would send the Hawks to the Regional Finals with the possibility of a rematch against Osceola — a team they narrowly fell to during the regular season.

A Friday Night of Consequence

Five Brevard teams remain. Some are favored, some are chasing miracles, and one — Cocoa — is hunting a fourth straight crown. But as the playoffs tighten and the lights brighten, all five share the same goal: Survive Friday. Advance. And keep the dream alive.

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