Week 1 Roundup: Merritt Island, Viera football secure road wins

As Merritt Island and Cocoa lined up for the opening kickoff of the 2026 season, inclement weather forced the game into a 90-minute weather delay.

The game had an electrifying beginning with touchdowns scored on the first three possessions. Merritt Island, which fell behind 12-6, pulled away in the second half as it scored 38 unanswered points to finish off a 44-19 season-opening win.

“I thought we came out on fire on offense. We started a little slow on defense,” Merritt Island head coach Tyler Murray said. “But on offense, we came out firing on all cylinders. Executed the game plan and we got out on top the way that we thought we were going to do.”

Merritt Island scored every offensive touchdown on the ground. The Mustangs got two touchdowns from junior Zaylan Chapple, two from senior DeShaun Thomas and one from senior Alain Adams.

“Five touchdowns, that’s a great thing. That’s something we didn’t have last year,” Murray said. “I tell you what, Kevin (Verpaele) wants to throw a lot of touchdowns but the biggest thing that he wants to do is win a football game. I’m happy we got that done on the ground. Shout out to the offensive line and running backs.”

Chapple, in his return to Cocoa after transferring from the Tigers over the summer, scored the Mustangs’ first touchdown of the season on a 10-yard carry. His score came two plays after Cocoa capped its opening drive with a touchdown. Chapple’s score was set up on a 70-yard completion by the senior Verpaele to junior Tim Sedaros.

After a fumble recovery by junior Abel Stricklin, Chapple scored two plays later on a 17-yard rush to put Merritt Island into the lead for good. His second score began the run of 38 unanswered points.

“We did good. They were talking a lot, but I got through that,” Chapple said. “We just got down the field. We scored as a team and we just need to keep it going. Move on to the next game."

Chapple rushed the ball 90 times for 458 yards and 7 touchdowns for Cocoa last season. The junior said it’s been a seamless transition to Merritt Island.

“They got me right, especially in the weight room,” Chapple said. “Getting good on the field and getting my fitness up so I can stat on the field longer.”

It was a shaky start for the Merritt Island defense, allowing Cocoa touchdowns on the first two possessions.

Tigers sophomore quarterback Kadin Claflin-Coy led the team 73 yards down the field, ending the opening drive on a 6-yard touchdown completion to senior Tank White.

Cocoa then drove 90 yards on its second drive with junior Anthony Whaley bouncing off multiple Mustang defenders on a screen pass from Claflin-Coy. Whaley ran 37 yards to the end zone.

After a fumble recovery by senior Mycul Glover, Cocoa drove the ball into the red zone and had a wide open White in the end zone with 5 seconds left before halftime but the pass couldn’t get caught. The Tigers went on to miss the field goal to remain down nine.

“Our quarterback (Claflin-Coy) showed everybody the things he’s capable of in that first half,” Cocoa head coach Nate Hooks said. “We were one play away from going into halftime down by only two. That tells you the fight and the future that this football team has.”

The Mustangs' defense pitched a shutout for the rest of the game with Cocoa’s final touchdown coming on a scoop and score by senior Kyree Brooks in the game’s final minute.

Merritt Island led 21-12 at halftime with Adams’ touchdown from 9 yards out the final score of the half. After back-to-back touchdowns by Thomas to start the second half, Mustangs sophomore Elijah Mitchell put the game away with a 96-yard pick six.

“We settled down and got it figured out. It took a couple drives, so something that we want to work on starting fast but I thought as a whole we played well," Murray said. "They had a couple freak plays, so we need to clean up some stuff."

Cocoa begins the season 0-1 and it’ll host Fort Pierce Central on Aug. 28. Hooks said he was proud of the team for the way it fought.

“We have 18 new starters. That’s a tremendous amount of young guys asked to step into roles they’ve never been in before. It’s going to take time and it’s going to take these young men going through experiences like (tonight),” Hooks said. “I’m proud of our kids because they didn’t back down from a bigger, older, more experienced football team. (Tonight) showed us exactly where we are and it also showed us where we are going.”

Merritt Island’s schedule doesn’t get easier next week as it heads to Melbourne on Aug. 28. The Bulldogs won their opener 35-10 against Heritage.

“We’re playing a really good Melbourne team next week. Watched them on film last week against Cocoa. Last year, they were up 14-0 on us going into halftime and we came out storming with 21 in the second half,” Murray said. “It’s one of those things that they were in it to beat us last year and they didn’t lose anybody. We didn’t lose anybody. It’s going to be a really good battle. It always is. I’m excited to watch those guys play.”

Friday’s football scores

FHSAA

Viera 25, Rockledge 20

In Rockledge, for the second year in a row, Viera and Rockledge played a one possession game. The Hawks won 22-21 last year and win by 5 points this season to start 1-0.

Viera remains on the road to play Sebastian River on Aug. 28. The Raiders host Spruce Creek on Aug. 28.

Astronaut 43, Tohopekaliga 39

In Titusville, Astronaut prevailed in an offensive shootout, winning the season opener for the third consecutive year.

Defensive end Riley Florence recovered his own strip sack fumble in the end zone for a touchdown.

Running back Jayden Brown had a 40-yard score. Quarterback Jaquan Hagans had two rushing touchdowns and King Rainey had a 10-yard score.

The War Eagles will put their 1-0 record on the line at New Smyrna Beach on Aug. 28.

Melbourne 35, Heritage 10

In Palm Bay, Melbourne running back Tyrese Jefferson scored four touchdowns to lead the Bulldogs to a big win over the Panthers. Heritage’s lone touchdown came from running back from Izael Johnson.

The Bulldogs host Merritt Island while Heritage welcomes in Eau Gallie on Aug. 28.

Melbourne Central Catholic 44, Victory Christian Academy 12

In Melbourne, an early-season statement win for the Hustlers, blowing out Victory Christian after both teams reached the regional semifinals last year.

MCC quarterback Trenton Washington threw five touchdown passes, including two to Grady Bonenberger and two to Colton Brown.

Melbourne Central Catholic puts its 1-0 record on the line on Aug. 28 against Benjamin.

Palm Bay 41, Nova Lakes 7

In St. Cloud, the Pirates win their season opener against Nova Lakes, which was playing its first-ever FHSAA football game. Palm Bay took a double-digit lead in the first quarter and never looked back. It led 34-0 at halftime.

On Aug. 28, Palm Bay hosts Bayside.

Titusville 24, Oviedo 22

In Titusville, kicker Calvin Jorgensen made a 42-yard field goal as time expired, as the Terriers open the season with a win over Class 5A Oviedo for its Week 1 win since 2023. Titusville heads to Holy Trinity on Aug. 28.

Carrollwood Day 41, Eau Gallie 7

A rough trip to Tampa for Eau Gallie as it suffers its biggest defeat since 2019. The Commodores trailed 28-0 at halftime and scored its lone touchdown in the third quarter.

Eau Gallie looks to bounce back at Heritage on Aug. 28.

Holy Trinity 20, Bayside 7

In Melbourne, Holy Trinity, in its return to FHSAA play as an Independent, defeated SSAA team Bayside at home.

SSAA

Space Coast 43, Umatilla 7

In Port St. John, Space Coast regained its form from the last two years with a dominant performance over Umatilla. The Vipers scored 30 points in the second quarter and 13 in the fourth.

Quarterback Zion Sandy was 7 of 18 passes for 159 yards and two touchdowns.

Charlie Williams scored two touchdowns rushing while Ryland Travis added one.

Kadyn Thomas caught two passes for 95 yards and a touchdown, with Kaleb Klingenberg adding a receiving touchdown.

Space Coast improves to 1-1 and it’ll head to Okeechobee on Aug. 28.

Cocoa Beach 43, Discovery 0

In Lake Alfred, Cocoa Beach is off to a 2-0 to start for the first time since 2012 after 43-point performances. The Minutemen scored 28 points in the second quarter to separate themselves from the Spartans.

Quarterback Jay Craft threw five touchdown passes for the Minutemen.

Cocoa Beach heads into a bye week before returning to action on Sept. 4 against Foundation Academy.

Calvary Chapel 40, Geneva Classical Academy 0 (8-man)

In Lakeland, Calvary Chapel pitched its first shutout in two years with a rout of Geneva Classical. The Eagles led 12-0 at halftime and scored 28 points in the fourth quarter to pull away.

The Eagles move to 2-0 and they’ll play at Eastland Christian on Aug. 28.

Merritt Island Christian def. Saint Francis Catholic Academy by forfeit (8-Man)

Saint Francis cancelled the game, resulting in a forfeit win for the Cougars as they move to 2-0 on the season.

Merritt Island Christian plays at Bell Creek Academy on Aug. 28.

Thursday’s football score

Satellite def. Halifax Academy 52-0 (SSAA)

In Daytona Beach, the Scorpions remained perfect on the season with a rout of Halifax Academy in their first road game of the season.

Satellite moved to 2-0 and it’ll play at Legacy Charter on Aug. 28.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Week 1 Roundup: Merritt Island, Viera football secure road wins