Tour of Brevard: Space Coast looks to reclaim SSAA state championship

After winning an SSAA state title in 2024, Space Coast Jr./Sr. High fell to eventual Atlantic state champion American Heritage (Delray Beach) in the 2025 semifinals.

Behind a large senior class, the Vipers look to reclaim a state title this fall.

“We’re right around 18-20 seniors, so a lot of these guys have been in the program the last couple years. Offensively and defensively, although we’ve changed it up a little bit, added a couple things to both sides of the ball,” Space Coast head coach Jake Owens said. “For the most part, these guys understand what we’re trying to do offensively and defensively. We’re just kind of tweaking everything and trying to iron out some things because we still have some young guys that need that experience.”

Space Coast finished last season 11-2 with its only defeats coming to Astronaut in the regular season and American Heritage. Owens said the lesson from last season was that the team can always get better.

“We obviously let a couple games get away from us. Our motto this year is to finish the mission and our mission is to win a state championship again,” Owens said. “That’s been the focus and that’s really the team goal. Our focus this offseason is fixing those little things that cost us those couple games.”

The Vipers return an explosive offense that averaged 33.2 points per game.

Junior quarterback Zion Sandy returns for his third year as the starter. Sandy accounted for nearly 3,000 total yards. He threw for 2,335 yards, 32 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. On the ground, Sandy rushed for 543 yards and 4 touchdowns.

“We left a lot of plays out there still. Even as good as we were offensively and all the big numbers that we put up throwing and rushing the football, I think we were just about as even as you could be,” Owens said. “Zion (Sandy) looks better than ever. Got an extra spin on the ball. He’s a junior now and he’s just a generational type of kid. He’s getting bigger, he’s getting stronger, he’s faster. He had incredible numbers at the end of the summer when it came to the weight room. He’s just got a good command of the offense now.”

After their two leading rushers graduated, the Vipers turn to freshman running back Charlie Williams. As an 8th grader, Williams recorded 519 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns.

“It’s (Williams’s) show now. We’re excited to see what he’s going to do. He has the potential to break every rushing record here at Space Coast. Behind a senior-heavy offensive, our expectations are very high,” Owens said. “I’ve been coaching 20-plus years and for his age, he’s one of the best I’ve coached. Last year, he was very patient. He understood his time was going to be this year. Now it’s his time to carry this football team in the running game.”

Space Coast allowed 13 points per game on defense last season. The Vipers graduated four of their top five tacklers, but they do return senior EJ Clouser who totaled 76 tackles and 18 tackles for loss. Junior Avanti Davis recorded 4 interceptions and sophomore Chad Johnson broke up 3 passes to go with one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.

“I’m very excited about the defense. This group has done so many incredible things on the field and they don’t get enough credit for it. We have a lot of young guys that are going to carry this defense and a senior defensive line,” Owens said. “You have EJ Clouser and Charlie Williams returning at linebacker. We have guys like Chad Johnson and Avanti Davis who all started last year. I think it’s just going to be one of those years where the defense goes out, does their job week in and week out and helps the offense score points.”

Vipers senior Kadyn Thomas produced on both sides of the ball last season. As the leading receiver last year, Thomas caught 51 passes for 737 yards and 9 touchdowns. Thomas intercepted 5 passes and recovered 2 fumbles. He’s committed to Division II Chowan University.

“I’m just so proud of (Thomas). The kid has worked so hard to get to where he is. He’s been one of those guys that have been integral part of what we’ve done here. I would put him up against anybody in the county,” Owens said. “He’s one of the top three players in the county. He’s one of those tone setters for us on the back end. He’s going to be playing some safety for us too. He’s a ballhawk, so we want to give him as many opportunities as we can to get turnovers and create things happen.”

Space Coast opens the season Aug. 13 with road test at Satellite. The Vipers seek their third-straight SSAA postseason berth.

“We’re trying to go 1-0. That’s what the goal is. We’re trying to make sure every week we get better,” Owens said. “I’m trying to make sure that every week we continue to grow offensively and defensively and get better. Our goals are the same as they have been. It’s a state championship. We’re trying to bring another one home and we know what we have to do to get it done.”

Head coach: Jake Owens enters his ninth season as the Space Coast head coach. He was head coach of the Vipers from 2012-17, and has been back in the job since 2024.

Postseason history: All five postseason wins have come in the last two years.

Playoff seasons: ’24, ’25 (SSAA); ’08, ’13, ’20 (FHSAA)

Playoff record: 5-1 (SSAA); 0-3 (FHSAA)

State final: 2024 (Jake Owens, SSAA Atlantic 1A champion over Bell, 21-14, Space Coast Jr/Sr High School)

2026 Space Coast Jr/Sr High Schedule

Aug. 13 at Satellite, 7 p.m.

Aug. 21 vs. Umatilla, 7 p.m.

Aug. 28 at Okeechobee, 7 p.m.

Sept. 4 vs. Celebration, 7 p.m.

Sept. 11 at Discovery, 7 p.m.

Sept. 25 at Bayside, 7 p.m.

Oct. 2 at Astronaut, 7 p.m.

Oct. 9 vs. Cocoa Beach, 7 p.m.

Oct. 16 vs. Cocoa, 7 p.m.

Oct. 23 vs. Holy Trinity, 7 p.m.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Tour of Brevard: Space Coast looks to reclaim SSAA state championship