http://jacksonville.com/sports/high_school/2009-11-14/story/cocoa_ends_bolles%E2%80%99_42_game_regular_season_winning_streak
Bolles entered Friday’s anticipated clash with visiting Cocoa with a 42-game regular-season winning streak.
The Bulldogs will enter the playoffs on a one-game slide.
Cocoa rallied from a 30-14 third-quarter deficit to clip Bolles 44-37 in overtime in a matchup of two defending state champions.
“We wanted to prove to people we can play with anyone, and we did,” Cocoa coach John Wilkinson said. “It was such an honor to play here. We’re in awe of the program here and the tradition Bolles has.”
The Tigers, ranked second in Class 2A, stunned Bolles, the top-ranked team in 2B, with three clutch plays at the end.
The Tigers (10-0) sent the game to overtime on a 71-yard touchdown pass from Matt Younger to E.J. Johnson with five seconds remaining. In overtime, Cocoa scored on a 1-yard quarterback sneak by Younger on fourth down. Bolles (8-1) had a chance to answer, but Chandler Carr’s pass was intercepted by Grady Redding on the first play to end the game.
“It was one of the greatest high school games I’ve witnessed,” Bolles coach Corky Rogers said. “We were prepared, and I was really proud of the effort. Somebody had to lose. They’ve got some pretty talented players over there, and they took advantage of that at times against us.”
Bolles’ offense did its part. Cocoa had allowed just three points in its past five games and only 34 for the entire season. Bolles managed to gain 489 yards and 23 first downs. Every Bolles starting skill player had a big night.
Jordan Garside ran 16 times for 155 yards and two touchdowns. Jawan Jamison rushed for 120 yards, and Jacob Stenson ran for 93 yards and added 40 receiving yards.
Wide receiver Jay Herndon caught six passes for 115 yards and touchdown. The senior also returned a punt 80 yards for a score late in the second quarter. Carr was efficient all contest, connecting on 13-of-18 passes for 159 yards.
Still, it wasn’t enough.
Cocoa’s offense was rarely stopped. The Tigers gained 436 yards. Cocoa’s five touchdowns came from 52, 41, 59, 60 and 71 yards out.
“We’ve got athletes, and we did a good job getting them in space,” Wilkinson said. “We wanted to turn this into a track meet.”
Cocoa sent the game to overtime on a 71-yard pass down the right sideline from Younger to Johnson. The score cut the Bolles lead to 37-36.
The Tigers initially were going to try for the two-point conversion, but a delay of game penalty altered the plan. Kicker Cody Bell was sent in and, after a second delay penalty, connected on the extra-point try.
Prior to the Cocoa possession, it appeared as if Bolles had run enough clock to preserve the win. After Cocoa punted with 5:57 left, the Bulldogs put together a 15-play drive that burned all but 38 seconds of the clock. The drive concluded when Bolles tried a fake field goal on a 41-yard attempt and was stopped for a loss of 4 yards.
Bolles will host Williston in the first round of the playoffs. Cocoa will host Orlando Jones.
