The dreams of another state championship for Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School Cougar Football Team from Sarasota came to an end with a Florida State High School Athletic Association 2A State Semifinal home loss on Dec. 6, 2024.
The Cougars who were 2023 Florida State High School Athletic Association 1S State Champs, fell 31-21 to Cocoa High School from Brevard County. Cocoa has a high-powered offense and is heading to its fourth consecutive appearance in the state championship game.
The home crowd continued to cheer for the team, even after the loss, for the many achievements the players and coaches had reached, even if they were short of their ultimate goal of winning another title. The team finished the season with a 12-1 record and had an 18-game overall winning streak, including the state title, dating to September 2023. Previously, Cougar football teams only made it this far in the playoffs a few times, earning a state title in 1972 and the semifinals in 2006.
Although the season ended in disappointment, reaching the State Semifinals is no small accomplishment. What made the run more impressive was that many from the 2023 state championship had graduated and this current team was led all year by a strong defense and dynamic offense filled with underclassmen.
The Cougar offense was led by junior quarterback Devin Mignery and sophomore running back Connail Jackson. Jackson rushed for an average of 128.8 yards per game for a total of 1,545 yards. He finished the season with 29 total touchdowns.
To make the State Semifinal game, Cardinal Mooney defeated archrival Bishop Verot Catholic High School of Fort Myers on Nov. 29, 2024, in Sarasota, the day after Thanksgiving in the Class 2A-Region 3 championship. Both teams held Thanksgiving Day public workouts on their home field ahead of the rivalry game.
Cardinal Mooney took the game 35-14 even though Cougar running back Jackson left the game with an injury in the first quarter. Mooney also beat Verot 49-28 during the regular season in September and leads the overall series 24-22.
With many young players returning for 2025 season, the Cougar Football Team has a bright future ahead. Congratulations on a great 2024 season!
