I'm grateful to receive an Official Scholarship Offer from @WebberFB and @CoachPotochney to be able to continue to play football at the next level. @MicFootball @MICathletics @CenFLAPreps @SportsBrevard @SSAAFootball @8ManExtreme

I'm grateful to receive an Official Scholarship Offer from @GracelandFB and @CoachDBO_GU to be able to continue to play football at the next level. #OnlyTheTough @MicFootball @CenFLAPreps @PrepRedzoneFL @larryblustein @321preps @SportsBrevard @in_huddle @SSAAFootball @SSAAAthletics @8ManExtreme @Andy_Villamarzo @bighitslive @fbscout_florida @DanLaForestFB @On3Recruits @247Sports @MICathletics

Thanks @CoachLeno_UTM for the game invite. Looking forward to checking out @UTM_FOOTBALL

I'm blessed to receive an Official Scholarship Offer from @Tabor_Football and @Coach_BG__ to be able to continue to play football at the next level. #RollJAYS #1HeartBeat #TheBoro @MicFootball @CenFLAPreps @PrepRedzoneFL @larryblustein @321preps @SportsBrevard @in_huddle @SSAAFootball @SSAAAthletics @8ManExtreme @Andy_Villamarzo @bighitslive @fbscout_florida @DanLaForestFB @On3Recruits @247Sports @MICathletics

I'm grateful to receive an Official Scholarship Offer from @CSCwildcatsFB and @CoachCutshaw to be able to continue to play football at the next level. #CommitToThePAW @CoachSallayCSC @MicFootball @CenFLAPreps @PrepRedzoneFL @larryblustein @321preps @SportsBrevard @in_huddle @SSAAFootball @SSAAAthletics @8ManExtreme @Andy_Villamarzo @bighitslive @fbscout_florida @DanLaForestFB @On3Recruits @247Sports @MICathletics @prepsrecruit

After a great conversation with Coach @SmithInspire I am blessed to have received an offer to continue playing football at the next level with @Threshers_FB #RollOn @MicFootball @CenFLAPreps @PrepRedzoneFL @larryblustein @321preps @SportsBrevard @in_huddle @FlaHSFootball @SSAAFootball @SSAAAthletics @8ManExtreme @Andy_Villamarzo @bighitslive @fbscout_florida @DanLaForestFB @On3Recruits @247Sports @MICathletics

Thank you @CSMITHSDSU and @SDSports for the invite to the @USArmyBowl National High School Combine in Frisco, Texas!

BSN 2025 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW TEAM SPOTLIGHT: MERRITT ISLAND CHRISTIAN COUGARS (8-MAN FOOTBALL) HEAD COACH: Matt Handwork (5th Season – 37-10)2024 RECORD: 11-1 | SSAA Final Four PLAYOFF HISTORY FHSAA (11-MAN): 2 Appearances (2005, 2008) | Record: 0-2 SSAA (8-MAN): 5 Appearances | Record: 7-4 COACHING STAFF George Schehl – Defensive Coordinator Josh Babin – Offensive & Defensive Line 2024 TEAM STATS Points Scored Per Game: 36 Points Allowed Per Game: 15 Point Differential: +254 Offensive Stats 227 Rush YPG | 147 Pass YPG | 374 Total YPG 4 INTs | 6 Fumbles Lost 59 Total Touchdowns (33 Rushing, 25 Passing, 1 INT Return) Defensive Stats 103 Tackles for Loss | 21 Sacks | 10 Interceptions | 10 Fumble Recoveries Turnover Margin: +10 The Cougars enter their sixth season playing 8-man football and if you’ve never watched this brand of football, you’re missing out. It’s faster, more open, and in many ways more physically demanding than 11-man game. With just about every player playing both sides of the ball, depth and toughness are paramount and no one in Brevard embodies that better than Matt Handwork, one of the best head coaches in the county. MIC went 10-0 in the regular season last year and reached the SSAA Final Four, but a rash of injuries, the curse of 8-man, ultimately derailed a promising playoff run. Still, expectations for 2025 are sky high. With so many key returners, and just two years removed from a state title, this team is loaded and locked in. RETURNING STARTERS Bode Handwork – QB, Senior Daiden Gilmore – DE, Senior Sam Bunin – OL/DL, Senior Fisher Edalgo – RB, Senior Emerson Hahn – RB, Senior Cam Jennings – OL, Sophomore. At quarterback, Bode Handwork returns with a 2024 stat line that would make any coach smile: 1,640 passing yards, 24 touchdowns, just two interceptions. Add in 267 yards and five rushing TDs, and it’s clear why he’s the engine of this offense. But in 8-man football, QBs don’t just throw, they also tackle. Handwork returns as the team’s second-leading tackler with 81 stops last season. On the ground, the Cougars had eight different players eclipse 100 rushing yards last fall. Among those returning, Fisher Edalgo and Emerson Hahn combined for 485 yards and three scores. On defense, Daiden Gilmore is a monster off the edge. He had 72 tackles and 17 tackles for loss in 2024 and looks poised for an even bigger senior season. UNDER-THE-RADAR PLAYERS TO WATCH Connor Angstadt – WR, Senior: Caught the game-winner in the spring game. Last season 142 yards and two scores. Jordan Rooks – RB , Sophomore: Had a monster offseason and is primed for a breakout year. Had over 100 yards as a freshman. BIGGEST QUESTION MARK The entire receiving corps graduated. If MIC wants to remain elite, the new wideouts must step up and produce — fast. This receiving group may be unproven, but the talent and work ethic are there. If they grow up fast, this team gets scary. TEAM IDENTITY Tough. Tested. Unrelenting. This might be the deepest and most experienced MIC team Coach Handwork has ever had and they know it. The Cougars believe that the only thing that can stop them is themselves. Execution will be everything. No excuses. OFFSEASON FOCUS Late-season injuries have cost MIC dearly in recent years. This offseason? It was all about strength and conditioning and according to Handwork, the players bought in completely. The mission was clear: stay healthy, stay dangerous. COACH’S QUOTE “This will be a no excuses year. We have the experience and depth we need. All involved know the goal, and know what is expected to achieve it.” BSN SAYS ABOUT MIC: Since 2020, Merritt Island Christian has won 37 games, captured three division titles, won five playoff games, reached three Final Fours, and won a state championship. Coach Handwork doesn’t rebuild. He reloads.This 2025 team checks every box: talent, experience, depth, leadership, and coaching. If health holds, we fully expect MIC to be back in the Final 4 or another trophy.

 Merritt Island Christian is one of the most unique teams across Brevard County, being an 8-man football team. Since going winless in 2019, the Cougars have been amongst the elite in 8-man football and went 11-1 in 2024. MIC took a tough loss to Countryside Christian, but will be right back in the playoffs in 2025. 2024 Recap: Merritt Island Christian is one of the most unique teams across Brevard County, being an 8-man football team. Since going winless in 2019, the Cougars have been amongst the elite in 8-man football and went 11-1 in 2024. MIC took a tough loss to Countryside Christian, but will be right back in the playoffs in 2025. Key Departures: WR, Trey Nevad RB, Nathanael Buccio WR, Carter Stevenson DE/ATH, Brayden Murphy Key Returners: RB, Caleb Richeson QB/LB, Bode Handwork DE, Daiden Gilmore ■ Biggest Games in 2025 8/22 at Ocala Christian 9/5 at Countryside Christian 9/19 vs. Donahue Catholic

TOUCHDOWN Cougars! 1st play of the game @trey_nevad 75-yd pass from @BodeHandwork , kick failed Cougars 6, Eastland Christian 0 11:48, Q1 @SSAAFootball @SportsBrevard @321preps @CenFLAPreps @PrepRedzoneFL @FlaHSFootball @FLgridironpreps @SBLiveFL