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Volume 2 • Issue 71
October 19 - November 2
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Apopka Football
Looking to Take the Title Featuring Windermere Prep, Foundation Academy, West Orange and more...
Page 2 Florida Sporting News •10/19/18 - 11/2/18
Dr. Phillips Football Still Undefeated in District DR. PHILLIPS - Japerri Powell ran for three first-half touchdowns as Dr. Phillips remained undefeated in district play after beating Freedom 41-6 on DP’s senior night. The Panthers (3-5, 2-0 in 8A-5) held the Patriots to six points and couldn’t be stopped on the ground. Freedom (1-7, 0-3) lost the game 41-6 as the Panthers scored four rushing touchdowns – three in the first half by Powell. The Panthers scored on offense, defense and special teams. Powell excelled during his senior night game, scoring from 58 yards out on the first play from scrimmage. He later scored from 45 yards and
1 yard out. Sophomore Jalen Wash-
ington avoided tackles and streaked down the sideline for a 65-yard punt return touchdown in the second quarter. The special teams’ touchdown
put the Panthers up 21-6 in the second quarter. That wasn’t the only long punt return for Washington. Earlier, he looked to return one for a touchdown but was tackled at the 1-yard line. A penalty negated the return and brought the ball out of the Patriots’ red zone. Then, Dr. Phillips’ Brendan Cyr was intercepted by Ronald Stark, who returned it to the Panthers’ 16-yard line. The Patriots would score off a Justin Ferreter 5-yard reverse to get within one. The extra point attempt by Eli Schindler rattled off the left crossbar and out. The Panthers forced turnovers as well, recovering two fumbles and recording an interception. Joshua Gabbidon forced a Freedom fumble during a third-down run that was recovered by Shemar Williams. But a fumbled snap by Canaan Mobley forced Dr. Phillips into a fourthand- 11 and the Panthers couldn’t capitalize. Jayden Ellis helped the Panthers end the game with a bang, returning an interception 75 yards for a touchdown as time expired. Dr. Phillips 41, Freedom 6 FIRST QUARTER: DP: Japerri Powell 58 yard run (Riley Stephen’s kick), 11:42 SECOND QUARTER: FHS: Justin Ferreter five yard run (Eli Schindler kick failed), 08:17 DP: Powell 45 yard run (Cameron Stone kick), 08:05 DP: Jalen Washington 65 yard punt return (Stephens kick), 04:25 DP: Powell 1 yard run (Stone kick), 00:05 THIRD QUARTER: DP: Brandon Fields 4 yard run (Stone kick), 06:00 FOURTH QUARTER: DP: Jayden Ellis 75 yard interception return (kick not attempted),
10/19/18 - 11/2/18 • Florida Sporting News
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Windermere Prep and Foundation Played Hard! WINDERMERE - This was a great game played with passion and respect for two incredible programs. Coaches Doss and Lord, both knew that they needed to step up their game and get their players prepared for a battle. This was more than just another game, it was about respect and bragging rights in this cross-town rivalry. As you know, only one team remained undefeated after Windermere Prep. beat Foundation Academy 35-7 in the ͞Orlando Game of the Week͟. This cross-town rival and battle of the unbeaten was worth the hype! Both teams entered the game touting high-powered offenses and stingy defenses. Senior QB Kai Patterson stepped up to showcase his athleticism and talent with a 7-0 lead after he broke off a 45-yard run on a Run Pass Option play. Short-
ly after, Kai connected with Senior Captain Mason Russell for a 4-yard TD pass. The Lakers held a 14-0 lead at halftime. The Laker Offensive line of Tyler Kousaie, Jared Blount, Jonah Best, Hunter Smallback, and
Watson McBride held two of the nation’s statistical sack leaders in check all night! Following halftime, the Lakers drove the ball down the field and scored on 12-yard pass from Kai Patterson to Pittsburgh Commit Khadry Jackson. Foundation Academy then responded with a 19-yard TD pass making the game 21-7. Just as it
looked like the Foundation Lions were getting back in the game, the Laker defense stole the momentum after Junior outside LB Matthew Kane picked up a fumble and took it 43 yards for a defensive score. The Lakers blitzed all night and held Foundation Academy to -22 yards rushing! Senior defensive lineman Hunter Smallback finished the game with 4 sacks was unblock-able all night, Captain Mason Russell finished the day with a 1-yard TD run, and Senior Justin Kirtland was 5/5 on extra points. Both teams should be very proud of their hard-nose fight. We expect to see both of these teams advancing towards a State Championship run. Good Luck!
Page 4 Florida Sporting News •10/19/18 - 11/2/18
Bishop Moore Girl’s Lacrosse is One Tough Team! ORLANDO - The popular proverb: ͞When the going gets tough, the tough get going,͟ is a near-perfect description of Bishop Moore’s girls’ lacrosse team this season. The Hornets’ schedule is proof of that. Heading into the final weeks of the regular season, Bishop Moore has run one of the toughest gauntlets in the nation, compiling a 7-3 record against mostly state-ranked teams. Only one of Bishop Moore’s games has been against a team with a losing record, giving the Hornets the fifth-best RPI (rating percentage index) in the country (0.73), which is based on the records of opponents and opponents’opponents. ͞As far as our schedule, the person that made it must be crazy!͟ joked Bishop Moore coach Kelly Blystone, whose team is ranked No. 3 in the Sentinel’s Super Six and seventh in the LAX Power state poll. ͞Just kidding. I made the schedule. Our philosophy is to play the best teams we can. Sure, we could create a schedule that makes it easy to end with an 18-0 record, but why? ͞Teams get better by playing against good teams, not teams you can beat 25-0,͟ Blystone said. ͞And, as a friend recently remind-
ed me, some wins can’t be seen on a scoreboard.͟One such ͞win͟ may have been a 16-12 loss to defending state runner-up Vero Beach, ranked third in the state. It was the third loss to a state power this season. Bishop Moore’s other two losses came to top-ranked Dr. Phillips 13-11, and Mill Creek of Hoschton, Ga., 16-12.
success. The Hornets have multiple players on track to score more 50 or more goals this season and almost as many assists. Alessandra Fable leads Bishop Moore with 26 goals and 15 assists. Nicole Blystone (25 goals, 18 assists) and Abby Spalding (25, 15 assists) are right behind. Defensively, the Hornets’ Jeanne Kachris has 17 takeaways. As a team, Bishop Moore has 82 takeaways and 200 ground balls. ͞One of our girls’ strengths is their coachability,͟ Blystone said. ͞They will do anything their coaches ask them to do and they go out each day, game or practice, trying to improve. One of the other qualities our girls have that I think makes them different from other teams is that they are playing for each other. No one is out there trying to be the rock star. You can see that in our stats.͟Bishop Mill Creek is ranked No. 6 in the Peach Moore’s grueling season continues Friday State. Since falling to Mill Creek, Bishwhen it hosts fifth-ranked Fort Lauderop Moore has won three of its last four dale St. Thomas Aquinas. Records as of games. ͞Our goal is always to be playing games played 1. Dr. Phillips (11-0) (1), our best lacrosse at the end of the sea2. Celebration (10-2), 3. Bishop Moore son,͟ Blystone said. ͞And, we are on track (7-3), 4. Lake Highland Prep (9-2) to do that now. We have to keep up our , 5. Hagerty (8-2), 6. Winter Park (11intensity and focus for every practice and 2). Second Six: West Orange, The First game and that helps us improve.͟Blystone Academy, Lyman, Seminole, Trinity Prep, credits the team’s balanced attack for its Lake Minneola.
10/19/18 - 11/2/18 • Florida Sporting News
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Harmony Football Keeps on Pushing Forward ORLANDO - Early miscues were not enough to derail the postseason push for Harmony and Oviedo in crucial district road games during Week 8 of the high school football regular season. Harmony (7-1, 5-0) fumbled the ball away on its first possession Friday and trailed 6-0 before intercepting Lake Nona (5-2, 3-1) six times in a title-clinching 41-12 rout in Class 7A, District 5. Oviedo (6-1, 4-0) trailed 7-0 after a punt was blocked for a touchdown on its first possession Thursday in Sanford. But the Lions responded by making big defensive plays down the stretch in a 17-13 win over Seminole (5-2, 3-1) to move into first place in 8A-2.͞We say it all the time: everybody needs a signature game — this was our signature game,͟ Harmony coach Don Simon said while addressing
his team after the win. ͞This was for the district championship, and this is how it should be. Our defense played great!͟Harmony, which had lost two straight to defending champion Lake Nona, claims a district title for the first time since 2007 and home-field advantage in the first round of the playoffs. The Longhorns had interceptions returned for touchdowns by Ahmeen Dinzey and Ryan Carroll in the win. ͞This was a team effort,͟ Simon said. ͞The defense played great, the offense got first downs and scores when we needed them, and our kicking game came through like it always does.͟It appeared it would be a long night for Oviedo when they fell into a hole less than two minutes into the game. But the Lions have been in much worse positions, including last season when they pulled an improb-
able come-from-behind 50-49 win over Orange City University despite trailing by 27 points. ͞They saw then that it’s always possible,͟ Oviedo coach Matt Dixon said. ͞We coach mental toughness, grit and perseverance. When something like [the blocked punt] happens, they’re used to it because we put them in those situations in practice.͟Oviedo, which needs a win at home Friday over Lake Brantley (3-4, 2-2) or at Lyman (3-5, 2-3) the following week to clinch the district, intercepted Seminole three times in the win. The final interception was made in the closing moments in the end zone by quarterback Morgan Mitchell, who also threw for a touchdown after sitting out last week with a knee injury.
Volleyball Updates from Around the Court Foundation First Academy 3, Real Life Christian Specialty Class 8A,Positions District 5 quarterfinal. Sin- 13 to killsVictory in a 25-14, 25-13 sweep for Academy Football: Will LeadTaylor the Royals this25-12, Season 0 Anna Grace Williams had 12 kills and 14 opoli added 8 aces, 7 digs and 3 assists for Master’s (11-12). Bryce Robinson added 5 digs in a 25-21, 25-11, 25-21 victory for the Knights. Harmony 3, Melbourne 0 Britaces. First Academy 3, Jones 0 TFA swept Foundation. Maddy Seip added 12 kills and tany Landrum had 10 kills in a 25-20, 25Jones 25-9, 25-6, 25-9 in a Class 5A, Dis18 digs. Class 3A, District 3 quarterfinal. 10, 25-22 sweep for Harmony. 8A, District trict 6 quarterfinal at Windermere. The RoyLake Mary 3, Winter Springs 2 Corynne 6 quarterfinal. Windermere 3, Ocala West als advance to face Trinity Prep on Tuesday Aelker had 10 kills, 4 digs and 5 blocks Port 0 Ana Bleeker had 5 kills as Winderat 5 p.m. Montverde Academy 3, Winderto lead the Rams in a 25-17, 20-25, 17-25, mere swept West Port 25-8, 25-14, 25-9 in mere Prep 0 Montverde swept the Lakers 25-14, 15-12 win in the Class 9A, District a Class 8A, District 5 quarterfinal. East Riv- 25-21, 25-17, 25-21 in a Class 5A, District 2 quarterfinal. Avery Hall added 19 digs for er 3, Edgewater 0 Martinez had 18 kills, 13 6 quarterfinal at Windermere. The Eagles adLake Mary (11-15). East Ridge 3, Ocoee digs, 3 aces and 3 blocks in a 25-8, 25-14, vance to face Lake Highland Prep on Tues0 Naomi Cabello had 8 kills, 14 assists, 25-18 victory for East River in a Class 8A, day at 7 p.m. 5 digs, 5 aces and a block for East Ridge District 5 quarterfinal. Master’s Academy 3, (22-0) in a 25-6, 25-14, 25-13 win in the Cornerstone Academy 0 Olivia Dugan had
Page 6 Florida Sporting News •10/19/18 - 11/2/18
The FHSAA Footbal FLORIDA - Class
5A’s Bishop Moore and 7A’s Lake Nona still have plenty to play in their quests to make a postseason push over the final three weeks of the high school football regular season. Despite missing out on district titles this season, the both remains in the thick of playoff races entering Week 9 based on this week’s FHSAA playoff power rankings. The road is a little bumpier for Class 8A teams Lake Mary, Seminole and West Orange after all three suffered losses last week, although not all is lost. FHSAA Week 8 football playoff power rankings Eight teams make the playoffs per region in Class 5A through 8A. The top four spots go to district champions and the other four spots are awarded and seeded based on the playoff point system. In opening round matchups No. 8 travels to the No. 1 seed; No. 7 is at No. 2; No. 6 plays at No. 3; and No. 5 is at No. 4. The six region playoff spots in Classes 1A through 4A are soley based on the FHSAA power rankings with the top two seeds earning byes in the first round. No. 6 plays at No. 3 and No. 5 is at No. 4 to open postseason play in those four brackets. Below is an updated snapshot of what the playoff seeding would look like based on the new FHSAA rankings, which were released this Tuesday. Teams are listed as district champions or wild cards based on their current point totals. The district number for each team is noted in parenthesis — followed by an asterisk if a district title has already been won — and their playoff point total entering Week 9.
Class 8A, Region 1
District champs 1. Wekiva (D-4) 42.6 2. Flagler Palm Coast (D-1), 41 3. Winter Park (D-3), 40.1 4. Oviedo (D-2), 39.6 Wild cards 5. Jacksonville Mandarin (D-1), 41 6. Apopka (D-4), 40.8 7. DeLand (D-1), 40 8. Lake Mary (D-2), 39.1
In contention: Seminole (D-2), 38.7; West Orange (D-4), 38.5; Jacksonville Sandalwood (D-1), 37.14;
Boone (D-3), 37.14; Colonial (D-3), 36.5. There’s m pions and wild cards, although both Winter Park (7-1 four with wins this week. DeLand (6-1), up one spo week in a crucial matchup as Mandarin (4-3) remain ly defeating the Bulldogs. Wekiva (6-1) and Apopka great interest to West Orange after falling from the N It could be an intriguing point’s race down the stretc the Warriors (5-3) as much may rely upon how well season.
Class 8A, Region 2
District champ 40.9 3. Manatee (D-6), 37.14. Dr. Phillips 40 6. Centennial (D-8), 39.6 7. Gateway ( contention: Lakeland George Jenkins (D-7), munity (D-7), 35; Alonso (D-6), 34.1; Oak a strong hold on the No. 2 spot as the se over Olympia (2-5) this week to secure no worse than the fourth spot and home field vantage in the first round. Despite last wee loss to Osceola, Gateway (4-3) is holding steady at No. 7 with games upcoming aga Ridge Community (2-5), Astronaut (6-1) an Mount Dora (3-4). Sarasota Riverview is n to the playoff picture this week at No. 8. Vero Beach is the champion in District 8.
Class 7A, Region 1
District champ 1. Lake City Columbia (D-2), 44.7 2. Gain ville Buchholz (D-3), 40.7 3. Edgewater (D 4), 39.1 4. Tallahassee Lincoln (D-1*), 39 Wild cards 5. Robert E. Lee (D-2), 41 6. Oakleaf (D-3), 39.3 7. First Coast (D-2), 3 8. Fletcher (D-2), 37.3 In contention: Chile (D-1), 36.9; Bartram Trail (D-3), 36.3; Atla tic Coast (D-2), 35.3. Edgewater (7-0) is u one spot to No. 3 this week and is closin on Buchholz with a chance for quality poi against East Ridge (2-5), Hagerty (4-3) and Boone (5-2) while rounding out its schedu Buchholz is slightly better off though with two games against Category 3 teams (Oakl Santa Fe) and another against a Cat-2 team (Bartram Trail). Lincoln is the champion in District 1.
Class 7A, Region 2 District champs 1. L land (D-7), 42.9 2. Tampa Plant (D-8), 40 3. Viera (D-6*), 39.8 4. Harmony (D-5*), 39.7 Wild cards 5. Wiregrass Ranch (D-8), 39.1 6. Sickles (D-8), 38.4 7. Lake Nona (D-5), 38.1 8. Winter Haven (D-7), 37.3 In contention: Gaither (D-8), 36.5; Kathleen ( 7), 36.1; Liberty (D-5), 36. Harmony (7-1) wrapped up the District 5 title with a win Lake Nona last week but will be hard-pres to earn more points in an effort to move past the No. 4 spot against Category 4 tea (Celebration,
10/19/18 - 11/2/18 • Florida Sporting News
Page 7
ll Points Standings
much to be decided when it comes to district cham1) and Oviedo (6-1) can secure a spot in the top ot from No. 8, is at Flagler Palm Coast (7-1) this ns unbeaten with FPC in the district after previous(6-2) settle things next week, which will be of No. 8 spot via Friday’s loss to the Blue Darters. ch between Lake Mary (4-3), Seminole (5-2) and l opponents of those teams do the remainder of the
ps 1. Vero Beach (D-8*), 47.3 2. Osceola (D-7), (D-5), 37 Wild cards 5. Treasure Coast (D-8), (D-7), 37.9 8. Sarasota Riverview (D-6), 36.1 In , 35.6; Olympia (D-5), 35; Davenport Ridge Comk Ridge (D-5), 34. Osceola (6-1) appears to have eason winds down. Dr. Phillips (3-5) needs a win o adek’s
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Satellite) the next two weeks. Lake Nona (5-2), which dropped from sixth to seventh, has intriguing matchups the final three weeks against East River (4-3), Liberty (5-2) and Wekiva (6-1). Those games should help the Lions secure a wild card spot. Wiregrass Ranch is up two spots to No. 5 this week. Viera is the champion in District 6.
Class 5A, Region 4
District champs 1. Rockledge (D-14), 43.6 2. Jones (D-13), 43.3 3. Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons (D-16), 41 4. Fort Pierce Westwood (D-15*), 36.6 Wild cards 5. Plantation American Heritage (D-16), 40.3 6. Space Coast (D-14), 39 7. Bishop Moore (D-13), 38.6 8. Merritt Island (D-14), 37.9 In contention: Coconut Creek (D-16), 37.1; Hallandale (D-16), 36.6; Palm Bay (D-14), 36.3. Bishop Moore (4-3) appears to be rounding the corner this week in pursuit of the postseason while moving up one spot to No. 7. The Hornets should earn quality points over the final three weeks against Centennial (6-1), Eustis (4-3) and Seminole (5-2). Jones (6-1) continues to inch closer to Rockledge for the top seed as the rest of the field remains more than two points back. The Tigers play Category 3 (Eustis) and Cat-4 (Tavares) teams over the next two weeks. Rockledge (6-1) has already played six Cat-2 teams. Cardinal Gibbons and American Heritage swapped spots this week with their District 16 showdown still to come. Westwood is the champion in District 15.
Class 3A, Region 2 Playoff teams 1. The First Academy, 40.2 2. Kings Academy, 37.6 3. Daytona Beach father Lopez, 36.4 4. West Palm Beach Cardinal Newman, 36.3 5. Melbourne Central Catholic, 34.1 6. Pierson Taylor, 34. The rest: Holy Trinity, 33.2; Trinity Prep, 31.4. The First Academy (6-0) continues to roll and it would likely take a loss or two to keep the Royals from wrapping up the No. 1 seed. Wins have come against one Category 2 team, three Cat-3 teams and two Cat-4 teams. Daytona Beach Father Lopez is up one spot to No. 3 in the rankings but remains in a close heat with Cardinal Newman. Class 2A, Region 2 The rest: Holy Trinity, 33.2; Trinity Prep, 31.4. The First Academy (6-0) continues to roll and it would likely take a loss or two to keep the Royals from wrapping up the No. 1 seed. Wins have come against one Category 2 team, three Cat-3 teams and two Cat-4 teams. Daytona Beach Father Lopez is up one spot to No. 3 in the rankings but remains in a close heat with Cardinal Newman. Class 2A, Region 2 Playoff teams 1. Lakeland Victory Christian, 39.6 2. Foundation Academy, 37.1 3. Zephyrhills Christian, 35.1 4. Deltona Trinity Christian, 34.8 5. Gainesville Oak Hall, 34.7 6. Gainesville St. Francis Catholic, 33.6 The rest: Kingdom Prep, 30.7; Daytona Beach Halifax, 30; South Daytona Warner Christian, 29.3; Cornerstone Charter, 29.1; Merritt Island Christian, 27.7. Foundation Academy (6-2) could be able to catch Victory Christian for the top spot based on strength of schedule, but a first round bye as the No. 2 seed seems all but locked up.
Page 8 Florida Sporting News •10/19/18 - 11/2/18
Boy’s Golf Class 3A District 8 at Celebration GC Team scores: (top 3 teams advance to region) 1. Lake Nona 287, 2. Celebration 344, 3. Freedom 375 At-large individual qualifiers: Cameron Nathan (ER), Kaleb Palm (CY), Brendan Englehardt (CY) Class 3A District 5 at Red Tail Team scores: (top 3 teams advance to region) 1. Lake Mary 317, 2. Lyman 351, 3. Lake Brantley 360, 4. Oviedo 363, 5. Apopka 370, 6. Winter Springs 407, Wekiva NTS, Seminole NTS. Top individuals: 1. Joshua Stewart (OV) 71; 2. Nick Zarillo (LY) 76; 3. Matthew Exum (LM) 77; 4. Dehan Van Staden (LM) 78; 5. (tie) Macon Kinder (OV), Coleman Barnes (LM) and Ariihau Faana (LM), 81; 8. (tie) Cade Tjornsland (SE) and Jackson Holmes (LY), 83. At-large individual qualifiers: Stewart, Kinder, Tjornsland Class 2A District 10 at Dubsdread Team scores: (top 3 teams advance to region) 1. Bishop Moore 303, 2. Seabreeze 329, 3. Atlantic 348, 4. Edgewater
350, 5. Deltona 486, Mainland NTS, Pine Ridge NTS Top individuals: 1. Chase Gullikson (BM) 70; 2. Jacob Schaaf (AT) 75; 3. Sean Vacula (PR) 76; 4. Nick Aragona (BM)
77; 5. Tyler Reese (MA) 77; 6. Jacob Hair (BM) 77; 7. (tie) Will Spurlin (ED) and Jack Lovely (BM), 81. At-large individual qualifiers: Vacula, Reese, Spurlin Class 1A District 10 at West Orange CC Team scores: (top 3 teams advance to region) 1. First Academy 294*; 2. Windermere Prep 294,
3. Foundation Academy 347; 4. Montverde Academy 427. Top individuals: 1. John Dubois (FA) 68; 2. Kenny Nguyen (WP) 70; 3. Sampson Zheng (FA) 71; 4. Artem Valovenko (WP) 73. At-large individual qualifiers: Zen Kracklau (MA), Quinton Barnhill (MA), Andrew Megler (MA) Class 1A District 11 at Deer Run Team scores: (top 3 teams advance to region) 1. Circle Christian 301, 2. Lake Highland Prep 315, 3. Master’s Academy 359, 4. Trinity Prep 369, 5. Geneva School 428, 6. Orangewood 432. Top individuals: 1. Canon Claycomb (CC) 70; 2. Evan Sun (CC) 73; 3. Gabriel Zhang (TP) 75; 4. Leo Goosen (LHP) 76; 5. Zach Bonyage (LHP) 78; 6. Johnny Wright (CC) 80. At-large individual qualifiers: Zhang, John Allen (GS), Gabe Parke (OR)
Girl’s Golf Class 2A District 10 at Dubsdread Team scores: (top 3 teams advance to region) 1. Bishop Moore 348, 2. Edgewater 438, 3. Seabreeze 633, Mainland NTS, Atlantic NTS. Top individuals: 1. Ainsley Mann (BM) 70; 2. Danielle Owens (BM) 73; 3. Jada McCallum (ED) 77; 4. Tylar Whiting (AT) 77; 5. Erica Darcy (AT) 81 At-large individual qualifiers: Whiting, Darcy, Jordan Elder (MA) Claire Jeon Claire Jeon from Montverde Academy tees off during the Class 1A, District 8 boys and
girls golf torunament at West Orange Country Club. on Monday, October 15, 2018. (Jacob Langston / Orlando Sentinel) Class 1A District 10 at West Orange CC Team scores: (all 3 teams advance to region) 1. First Academy 302, 2. Montverde Academy 378, 3. Windermere Prep 400. Top individuals: 1. Claire Jeon (MA) 72; 2. Ariel Yu (FA) 73; 3. Meiyi Yan (FA) 74. Class 1A District 11 at Deer Run Team scores: (top 3 teams advance to region) 1. Circle Christian
316, 2. Lake Highland Prep 347, 3. Trinity Prep 423, 4. Orangewood 475, Master’s Academy NTS Top individuals: 1. Kaitlin Chao (MA) 70; 2. Alex Crafton (CC) 72; 3. (tie) Sammy Chao (MA) and Sarah Scott (CC), 78; 5. Kaley Amuso (CC) 79. At-large individual qualifiers: Kaitlin Chao, Sammy Chao, Faith Ayers (OR)
10/19/18 - 11/2/18 • Florida Sporting News
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Apopka and West Orange Play Classic Thriller West Orange- Apopka’s 27-21 district football victory over long-time rival West Orange on Friday night started as an offensive shootout, changed to a defensive slugfest, and eventually ended with a thrilling finish. Both teams scored most of their points in the first period before each scored once in the fourth and it ended with No. 9 West Orange (5-3, 1-1 district) driving to the Apopka 23-yard line before the No. 8 Blue Darters (6-2, 2-0) held to wrap up the victory. Each team coughed the ball up three times. Apopka fumbled on the first play of the game and the Warriors immediately took advantage as quarterback Elijah Stimmell found Darrell Harding for a 37-yard scoring strike. It was the first of three times the two hooked up for scoring plays. Harding also caught touchdown passes of 52 yards and 14 yards. The Blue Darters scored twice on the ground and twice through the air. Akeem Brown scored from 18 yards
and Cornelius Williams tallied on a 40-yard run. Jackson Darlington had scoring tosses of 12 yards and 16 yards, both to tight end Fred Young.
and all three scores. Darlington, son of Apopka’s head coach Rick Darlington, was 7-of 11 for 126 yards and two touchdowns. Young caught five passes for 68 yards and both scores. West Orange had two field goal tries, the first of which was wide left. The second was blocked by Apopka’s Yirmyah. Both teams were coming off a loss last week, Apopka 21-7 to Jacksonville Mandarin and West Orange 41-31 Jones. West Orange plays at Evans FIRST QUARTER WO: Darrell Harding 37-yard pass from Elijah Stimmell (Colton Scharfield kick) A: Akeem Brown 18-yard run (Titus Vandiver kick) A: Cornelius Williams 40-yard run (TiApopka rushed for 265 yards. Brown tus Vandiver kick)A: Fred Young 12led the way with 157 yards on 29 yard pass from Jackson Darlington carries. Williams added 49 yards for (Titus Vandiver kick) WO: Harding the Blue Darters. Stimmell’s arm got 52-yard pass from Stimmell (Colton a workout as he threw 49 times, Scharfield kick) FOURTH QUARTER WO: Harding 14-yard pass from Stimcompleting 22 for 261 yards and three touchdowns. Harding hauled in mell (Colton Scharfield kick) A: Young 11 of those receptions for 154 yards 16 pass from Darlington (kick failed)
Page 10 Florida Sporting News •10/19/18 - 11/2/18
Wekiva and Apopka: A Match Made In Football Heaven?
ORLANDO - The toughest district in the Florida Sporting News coverage area is still undecided after Apopka (6-2, 2-0) stopped West Orange (5-3, 1-1) at the 23-yard line on its final drive to narrowly escape with a 27-21 win. Jackson Darlington and Fred Young hooked up for a
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pair of touchdowns and the Blue Darters tallied 265 yards and two more scores on the ground. Elijah Stimmell and Darrell Harding Jr. connected for three scores through the air for West Orange, which missed on a field-goal try and had another blocked in the loss. Class 8A, Dis-
trict 4 will come down to an Oct. 26 showdown between Apopka and host Wekiva (6-1, 1-1) in a winner-take-all scenario. Wekiva, which lost to West Orange 3029 two weeks ago, is in line to benefit from a district tiebreaker should the Mustangs win and all three teams finish with 2-1 marks. Wekiva entered the week leading 8A, Region 1 in points (43.8) based on the FHSAA playoff power rankings. Apopka (39.7) and West Orange (39.3) were projected as the sixth and seventh playoff seeds, respectively. The Blue Darters would claim the title outright with a win against Wekiva.
10/19/18 - 11/2/18 • Florida Sporting News
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