Overview

The Hawks are coming off an unbeaten regular season, but after winning their district and getting to play their first postseason game at home, they can’t forget a 48-0 loss to Charlotte. That has them motivated to get back to the playoffs but with a different outcome.

Road to State

Games against two USA Today Super 25 teams, Cocoa and Allen, Texas, along with games against playoff powers Merritt Island, Cocoa and Palm Bay, are part of the formula for Viera to take the next step in building its program.

Key Players

Hayden Kingston will start again at quarterback, and his year of experience there has given him the knowledge to be more reactive to opposing defenses. That will make receiving targets Nixon and Quinton Richard, new to the starting lineup, even more threatening.

Third-year starter Zack Blanch was a workhorse carrying the ball, and returning on the line in front of him are Hunter Ulrich and Brian Pickles.

The defense returns key contributors Trevor Merritt, Evan Cruz and Jamyson Boyd in the secondary, seniors Marco Foreman and Matt Martorelli on the line and linebacker Brandon Mays.

Key Stretch

Playing games against tough, established programs, is a proven way of building a program, but there can be traps along the way. When the Hawks play at Kathleen and Cocoa on back-to-back weeks to close out September, they’ll be toughening themselves.

The problem could pop up a week later, when they play at Melbourne in a game that will count in the district standings. That’s no time for a letdown.

Coaching Staff

This will be Kevin Mays’ fifth season as coach of the Hawks.

Offensive coordinator: Mays

Defensive coordinator: Derek Smith

Assistant coaches: Todd Schaneville, Mike Degory, Bata Cvetkovic, Joe Cohen, Ryan Allen, Brian Helton, Marcus Menyfield, Mike Zingerelli

Forecast

Viera is a definitely district title contender if not the favorite in 6-7A. If the Hawks are too broken down by their toughened schedule, they will have a better shot at advancing in the playoffs than they did last season.

Returning letterwinners

Asa Anderson		Sr.
Zack Blanch	RB	Sr.
Zenan Bouie	DL	Sr.
Jay Boyd	DB	Sr.
Brennen Deplancke	RB/CB	Jr.
J.P. Caglione	L	Sr.
Evan Cruz	DB	Sr.
Tim Eyler		Sr.
Marco Foreman	DL	Jr.
Justin Harrison	DL	Jr.
Hayden Kingston	QB	Sr.
Matt Martorelli	OL	Sr.
Brandon Mays	LB	Soph.
Trevor Merritt	DB	Sr.
Blake Mordas		Sr.
Tre Nixon	WR	Sr.
Brian Pickles	OL	Sr.
Quinton Richard	WR	Soph.
Austin Roberts	LB	Jr.
Tre Schaneville	WR	Soph.
Hunter Ulrich	OL	Sr.

2015 Schedule

Aug. 28 Rockledge 7

Sept. 4 at Allen, Texas TBA

Sept. 11 Merritt Island 7

Sept. 18 at Kathleen 7:30

Sept. 25 at Cocoa 7

Oct. 2 at Melbourne 7

Oct. 9 Palm Bay 7:30

Oct. 16 at Martin County 7

Oct. 30 South Fork 7

Nov. 6 Winter Springs 7

2014 Results

at Rockledge W, 53-7

Cocoa Beach W, 64-0

Sebastian River W, 34-6

Astronaut W, 42-3

at Eau Gallie W, 42-0

at Port Orange Atlantic W, 47-12

at Melbourne W, 21-14

Space Coast W, 40-21

Martin County W, 36-13

*Charlotte L, 48-0

*Class 7A regional playoffs

Postseason history

Viera is coming off the first playoff trip in its history.

Playoff seasons: ’14

Playoff record: 0-1