ORLANDO - Many had felt during the year that Glades Central was the best team in the state of Florida. On Saturday night, the previously unbeaten Raiders were not the best team at the Citrus Bowl.
Behind the running of Chevelle Buie, the Cocoa Tigers, the defending 3A state champions, added 2A to the list of state crowns the school holds when they surprised favorite Glades Central, 27-13, to finish with a perfect 14-0 record.
The Raiders got on the board first when Mississippi State-bound running back Antwon Chisholm scored from eight yards out with 9:10 left in the first quarter for a 6-0 lead.
The Tigers cut the lead to 6-3 on a 33-yard field goal by Cody Bell at the 4:27 mark of the first quarter.
The Raiders extended their lead to 13-3 with 9:17 left in the first half when quarterback Leron Thomas found Chisholm from 16 yards out.
Cocoa climbed right back in the game when junior running back Chevelle Buie ran 63 yards for a score, cutting the lead to 13-10.
Moments after Buie's run, the Tigers jumped in front when Antonio Wallace stepped in front of a Thomas pass and went 26 yards for a 17-13 lead with 8:14 left.
The Tigers moved to a 20-13 with 6:55 left in the third quarter on a 24-yard field goal by Bell.
Buie passed to the 200 yard mark with 4:49 left in the game when he ran 37 yards for a score to put the Tigers up 27-13.
Glades Central 6 7 0 0 - 13
Cocoa 3 14 3 7 - 27
GC - Antwon Chisholm 8 run (kick failed), 6-0, 9:10 (1)
C - Cody Bell 33 field goal, 6-3, 4:27 (1)
GC - Antwon Chisholm 16 pass from Leron Thomas (Antoine Dalfice kick), 13-3, 9:17 (2)
C - Chevelle Buie 63 run (Cody Bell kick), 13-10, 8:24 (2)
C - Antonio Wallace 26 interception return, 17-13, 8:14 (2)
C - Cody Bell 24 field goal, 20-13, 6:55 (3)
C - Chevelle Buie 37 run, 27-13 (Cody Bell kick), 4:49 (4)
LARRY BLUSTEIN
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