District 21 is at an interesting place in their growth of the game.  Both Merritt Island and Viera have separated themselves from the rest and have started to strive towards consistently challenging for Top 25 status.  Both were considered at times last year.  The district regular season saw Viera run the table, including a one-goal road win at Merritt, but in the district final it was Merritt turning the table on them and garnering the FHSAA slot, where they lost to Melbourne Central Catholic.  Merritt played the better out of area schedule and that likely helped prepare them for the district.  Road games at Lake Mary, Hagerty, St. Edwards and First Academy were the type of games an emerging program needs to play.  Viera’s trip to Montverde Academy was the only similar such game. Viera has taken on that challenge this year as they have beefed up the schedule with St. Thomas, St. Edward’s, Poly Prep of NY, Lake Brantley, Montverde and Seminole, while also venturing to IMG, although I always counsel Florida high schools to treat that one differently.  Even if they struggle in those games it really helps in the long run.  Merritt’s schedule was downgraded a little bit, as St. Augustine (a very good win on Friday for them) replaces Lake Mary and First Academy is not listed but still enough at this point.  As both programs continue to grow, we hope that the schedule takes on Top 25 status too.

Note: Photo with story is old and via Scoopnest.com.  Could SOMEONE send some pictures to us for these teams?

Last season’s Regular Season records via MaxPreps (Note: possibility not all results were uploaded):  

School Name	*W-L	*Pct.	W-L	Pct.	GF	GA
Merritt Island	4-0	1.000	16-7	0.696	301	146
Cocoa Beach	4-3	0.571	12-5	0.706	234	142
Viera	1-1	0.500	15-1	0.938	272	97
Edgewood	2-3	0.400	8-8	0.500	160	172
Rockledge	2-4	0.333	4-8	0.333	73	129
Satellite	1-3	0.250	5-8	0.385	86	147

• * Denotes district data.

  Again, there are some issues with the MaxPreps data, with duplications and scores not posted so adjust the above in your mind. Unfortunately, the only questionnaire I have gotten back from the district is from Edgewood, so when the others are received I’ll update this story.   Merritt island, 16-7, lost in the first round of the FHSAA playoff Have not received their questionnaire yet, we’ll update when we do   Viera High 15-1, lost in the district final Have not received their questionnaire yet, we’ll update when we do   Cocoa Beach 12-5, lost in the district semifinal Have not received their questionnaire yet, we’ll update when we do   Edgewood, 8-8, lost in the district semifinal What are your expectations this season for the team? Expectation is to compete in every contest, and get a bid to our District tournament. Who are the returning players who will make a difference this season? SR Defenseman Hunter Hartman, SR Midfield Collin Watkins, Soph Midfield Lucas Hohl, FR LSM Matt Moran and 8th Grader Jake Pagliarini What players do you expect to step up this year that didn’t get much playing time last year? Jr. Goalie Zach Azzarello, Sr Defenseman Blake Leatherman,  JR Defensive Midfield Eric Truong, Soph Midfield Tanner Goforth. What are the games you are really looking forward to this season? As always, Our Merritt Island and Viera games are a measure of how we have progressed. We will be playing at Disney Wide World of Sports on 3/27, against a team from NY.   Rockledge 4-8, did not qualify for the district Have not received their questionnaire yet, we’ll update when we do   Satellite 5-8, did not qualify for the district Have not received their questionnaire yet, we’ll update when we do