FSN 72

FOLLOW US facebook.com\FloridaSportingNews - Twitter @FSNSportingNews FloridaSportingNews.com

Volume 2 • Issue 72

November 20 - December 4

ks

an Th

FR Ou

EE

To

tis

!

er

dv

rA

s

er

Hometown Hero UCF Ranked 11 Nationally Featuring: Wekiva, Foundation, Dr. Phillips and more...

Page 2 Florida Sporting News • 11/20/18 - 12/4/18

Coach Wells and the Panthers have their Prey just where they want them DR. PHILLIPS - Dr. Phillips always knows how to win a big game and this time was no different. This is a very talented team that started out slower than expected in the beginning of the season. They are only getting better as the season moves on and now they have their eyes on the prize. Everything from their explosive offense, solid defense and underrated special teams have all stepped up to gel into a serious championship contender. Reigning 8A football champion Dr. Phillips may not boast a gaudy record, but the Panthers took another step toward defending their state title on Friday by using a strong defense and running game to knock out Vero Beach, the No. 1 seed in Class 8A, Region 2. Quarterback Brenden Cyr threw a touchdown pass to Jacquez Jones, kicker Riley Stephens made a pair of field goals, and Japerri Powell rushed for a score as the Panthers upset the previously-unbeaten Indians (11-1) in a region semifinal game at the Citrus Bowl in Vero Beach.DP was 5-5 in the regular season but is 2-0 in the playoffs. The Panthers, seeded fourth in the region, will travel again next week to face No. 3 Sarasota Riverview (9-3). In a scoreless second half and up 13-7, the Panthers regained possession with 7:01 left in the game at their 37 and ate up about five minutes with their ground attack, with Cyr converting a big fourthdown play to move the chains to the Vero 30.

Powell rushed in from 23 yards out to complete the drive with 1:35 left to seal the win and send Dr. Phillips into the regional final. Powell finished with 147 yards on 24 carries. After Dr. Phillips opened the game with an impressive drive that ended with Stephens’42-yard field goal at 5:49, Vero Beach marched to the 5, but was stuffed on fourth down when quarterback Nick Celidonio kept the ball and was tackled for a one yard loss, forcing a turnover on

downs. It wouldn’t be the last time the Indians were frustrated and failed to score inside the Panthers 10. Dr. Phillips moved the ball to the 50 on a pair of plays, but quarterback Brenden Cyr fumbled the shotgun snap and defensive back Emmanuel Anderson jumped on the ball for the Indians at the 45. On the tenth play of the series, Bryan Primus-Winston tried to score from a yard out on second, but the ball came out. Powell recovered for Dr. Phillips, and the officials discussed the controversial play, trying to decide on if the running got in for a touchdown or fumbled before breaking the plane of the goal line. The officials ruled it a fumbled, thwarting the Indians’ chance at their first lead.

Celidonio struck quickly on Vero Beach’s next possession, lobbing a 45-yard TD pass to Harris, resulting in another play for the officials to discuss. Harris and Panthers defensive back Bryan Bell-Anderson went to the ground together, but the defensive back got to his feet with the ball. The officials signaled touchdown, and Braden Dick’s PAT gave Vero Beach a 7-3 lead with 5:15 remaining in the half.

Dr. Phillips answered on its second play from scrimmage on the next series when Jones slipped behind the Vero Beach defense, caught a 20-yard pass and rambled for a 79-yard score

and a 10-7 lead. The Panthers seemingly were going to run out the clock at midfield to end the half, but Cyr scampered off the right side for 11 yards on fourth down and later completed a 23-yard pass to Ledger Hatch down to the 4. Stephens booted a 20-yard field goal for a 13-7 lead with just one second left in the half. Extra points: Panthers quarterback Brenden Cyr was sharp in the first half against top-ranked Vero Beach. The junior was 9 of 12 for 159 yards and a touchdown in the half.

He also converted a key fourth down inside of two minutes left in the half, eventually ending with Riley Stephens’20-yard field goal with just one second left for a 13-7 lead. Cyr finished 12 of 18 for 172 yards and a touchdown on the night, but his two fourth-down conversions led to nine key points and helped put the contest away late in the fourth quarter – one on a keeper off the right side, the final when he called his own number and went off the left edge. The Panthers did well at limiting the damage done by Vero Beach’s wide receiver Demarcus Harris. The senior, who is committed to play at the University of Kentucky, caught 10 passes for 119 yards – strong numbers – but he only reached the end zone on the one score and was blanketed deep all game. Dr. Phillips 19, Vero Beach 7 FIRST QUARTER DP — Riley Stephens 42 FG, 5:49 SECOND QUARTER VB — Demarcus Harris 45 pass from Nick Celidonio (Braden Dick kick), 5:15 DP — Jacquez Jones 79 pass from Brenden Cyr (Riley Stephens kick), 4:23 DP — Riley Stephens 20 FG, :01 FOURTH QUARTER DP — Japerri Powell 23 run (pass failed), 1:35

11/20/18 - 12/4/18 • Florida Sporting News

Page 3

UCF Football Takes the Number 11 spot and extended the Nation’s longest win streak to 23 Games ORLANDO - UCF took center stage this weekend when it hosted ESPN’s College GameDay and ABC’s Saturday night football. The move appears to have paid off for ESPN/ABC, with the network reporting Sunday it drew big television ratings for both shows. According to ESPN, its College GameDay show from Memory Mall on campus, drew a 1.4 overnight rating, which was up 8 percent from last year’s show at this time. In Orlando, the show earned a 3.9 overnight rating, tying the market’s best rating for the pre-game show since 2010.

ABC’s broadcast of the No. 11 UCF versus No. 24 Cincinnati game from Spectrum Stadium was the highest rated primetime college football game of the week, delivering a 2.3 overnight television rating. According to tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com, the game delivered more than 3 million viewers. For example, the Kansas-Oklahoma game on Fox Sports at the same time drew just 2.6 million viewers.

As expected, the top two markets for the Knights’38-13 win were Orlando and Cincinnati, respectively. In Orlando, the game drew the market’s best numbers for an ESPN/ABC game this season. In Cincinnati, the numbers surpassed the ratings for the Ohio State game against Maryland earlier in the day. No. 11 UCF made the most of the national spotlight, earning a 38-13 win over No. 24 Cincinnati Saturday night at Spectrum Stadium. Check out the top three things we learned from the Knights’ victory that extended the nation’s longest win streak to 23 games. 1. Defense emerges, delivers strong performance For weeks, people have been asking what’s wrong with UCF’s defense — especially after the Knights gave up nearly 700 yards against Temple a few weeks ago.

The defensive players have heard the criticism and responded with one of the best performances of the season, holding Cincinnati to just 13 points and less than 400 yards. ͞They say we don’t really read that kind of stuff, but we see it out there and we use that as motivation,͟said defensive lineman Joey Connors, who recorded

a sack, blocked a field goal and recovered a fumble Saturday night. ͞We came out here and we did what we had to do.͟UCF senior defensive lineman Titus Davis, who had a career-high three sacks against the Bearcats, added, ͞Last week, we gave up a lot of yards and I feel our fire was hot from the get-go this week. Just having that chip on our shoulder this whole week, in the meeting rooms we just talked it

out and said this is all we got, we’re going to give it all we got and we’re going to handle business and we did that tonight.͟ 2. While the running game struggled, the offense still managed to put up points UCF came into this weekend’s contest against Cincinnati averaging just over 270 yards per game on the ground. But the Knights weren’t able to get their rushing attack in sync against the Bearcats.

The team managed a season-low 134 yards rushing, led by Taj McGowan’s 50 yards. ͞It says a lot that we’re just not a one-dimensional team,͟ said Adrian Killins, who finished with 27 rushing yards on five carries. ͞We could do multiple things and we have a lot of weapons on this team. So you can’t just scheme and set your defense up to just try and contain McKenzie because we’ve got a lot of athletes on this team

that can get the ball in their hands and makes a lot of plays. ͞Just playing in this offense is great and it’s phenomenal.͟Killins did finish with a team-high 82 receiving yards, including a career-best two touchdown performance. One of those scores came on a nifty shovel pass from Milton that the dynamic back was able to turn into a 42-yard touchdown. ͞I love making plays and help my team win,͟ the junior said with a smile. Despite the struggles on the ground, UCF managed to score at least 30 points for the 23rd consecutive game. The Knights also managed to amass more than 400 yards of total offense for the 10th straight game this season. McKenzie Milton leads No. 11 UCF to 38-13 win over No. 24 Cincinnati on national stage 3. Knights appreciate the raucous crowd at Spectrum Stadium It was a monumental weekend for the UCF football program, with ESPN’s College GameDay broadcasting from the Knights’ campus and a near-record crowd in attendance for Saturday’s game. Many of the players said they were able to feed off the energy of the announced crowd of 47,795 in attendance at Spectrum Stadium. ͞Knight Nation was unreal,͟ Connors said. ͞That was the loudest ... even away games, when we were at Michigan or South Carolina ... that was the loudest stadium I’ve ever been in. ͞That was why they [Cincinnati] get six or seven false starts [penalties] and that’s all credit to them.

They couldn’t hear. I’m right there next to the center and they’re yelling at each other. They don’t know what’s going on. I give so much credit to them.͟Killins, added ͞Starting off the game, they got a lot of penalties for us and I’m pretty sure the defense loved that ... so shout out to Knight Nation. We love you and we’re going to keep this ball rolling.͟Quarterback McKenzie Milton said the crowd helped energize the offense as well. ͞There’s a lot of energy and in that stadium, tonight and I’m very thankful for Knight Nation, a sold-out crowd. It was electric there,͟ he added.

Harvey Leads Edgewater to a needed Victory to Advance ORLANDO - This has been an exciting ride for Edgewater football this season. Coach Duke͛s has been preparing this team for greatness and this Friday showed their hard work. Football is played by a team but sometimes a player or two can make the difference. Edgewater quarterback R.J. Harvey ran for three touchdowns as the Eagles rallied to a 35-14 road victory over Tallahassee Lincoln in a Class 7A, Region 1 football semifinal at Gene Cox Stadium in Tallahassee on Friday night. After giving up one fumble and two interceptions while falling behind 14-0 in the first half, Edgewater (11-1) rattled off 35 unanswered points to punch its ticket to the regional championship game. ͚͞We͛ re lax, we͛re okay,͛͟ Edgewater head coach Cameron Duke said, referring to his halftime speech to the players. ͞We did some things in the first half, some turnovers that we usually don͛t do. There was no need to panic. We just had to regroup, get coached up and go out and battle in the second half.͟The rally began and ended with Eagles quarterback RJ Harvey. Christian Leary͛s 13-yard catch and Harvey͛s 25-yard touchdown run put the Eagles on the board 14-7.͞He͛s a special player,͟ Duke said of Harvey. ͞He͛ s going to the University of Virginia. He͛s one of the best athletes I͛ ve ever coached. Phenomenal quarterback, but he͛s even a better young man. He didn͛t flinch. He came back and battled like crazy in the second half.͟Lincoln quarterback Chris Beard fumbled on the ensuing drive and the ball was recovered by the Eagles in the end zone, tying the score 14-14. The rejuvenating sequence inspired two more touchdown drives.

Harvey sped through a handful of defenders for an 83-yard touchdown run to put the Eagles ahead 21-14, securing the team͛s first lead of the game. Edgewater built on the momentum with another 26-yard touchdown run by Harvey and defensive back Eric Doctor͛ s deafening pick-six, coasting to a defining road win. The Eagles, the No. 7 seed in the region based on FHSAA power points, will travel again next week to face No. 5 Jacksonville Lee (10-1), which edged top-seeded Lake City Columbia, 31-27.͞[Jacksonville] is going to be a great team,͟ Duke said. ͞We͛ ve got to focus on getting better and correct our mistakes from tonight.”

Page 4 Florida Sporting News • 11/20/18 - 12/4/18

Orlando Christian Prep Win the SSAC State Championship ORLANDO - The Orlando Christian Prep

(OCP) Warriors can finally call themselves state champions in football, thanks to a tenacious defense and 175 yards passing and four touchdowns from Connor Edel. OCP (9-2) forced four turnovers and got three touchdown passes from Edel to Xavier Weaver to beat two-time defending champ Bradenton-Saint Stephen’s Episcopal 35-14 Saturday night in the Sunshine State Athletic Conference Florida Bowl at The Master’s Academy. In finishing the season with an eight-game win streak, OCP (9-2) also got 127 yards and a touchdown from Jalen Carr and seven catches for 151 yards from Weaver. The Warriors had finished SSAC runner-up in both 2013 and 2014. ͞This means a lot to our football program and school,͟ said Edel. ͞We’ve been working for this for five years now.͟OCP is the first Sentinel-area team to win the SSAC title since Master’s Academy in 2012. ͞We played as good of a football game as you could possibly play, our staff is so proud of these young men͟ said OCP Coach Guerschom Demosthenes said. ͞Our kids did extremely

well. St. Stephen’s is a pretty tough football team. We knew we’d have our hands full, but we executed and got some turnovers

down the stretch.͟The Warriors reeled off 21 unanswered points to take a 28-7 lead before Saint Stephen’s (10-2) got an 11-yard TD run from DJ Clark midway through the fourth quarter. But OCP answered again when Weaver hauled in an 11-yard TD pass on a fade play. The schools slugged it out defensively in the first half. But Saint Stephen’s was its own worst enemy with three interceptions stopping drives, including its

first two series, and nine penalties for 80 yards. OCP took advantage of Saint Stephen’s second interception – both by Monroe Sanderson – when Carr zigzagged 4 yards into the end zone with 3 minutes, 52 seconds left in the first quarter.

Saint Stephen’s countered on its next series when Clark raced 37 yards up the middle for a TD, capping a three-play, 46yard drive with 2:16 remaining in the first quarter. Two series later, Saint Stephen’s looked poised to take the lead when it took the ball at its own 20yard line and marched to the OCP 17-yard line. But a 15yard penalty and an incomplete pass forced the Falcons to punt the ball away. OCP then took a 14-7 lead when Edel threw a short pass to Weaver, who weaved in and out of traffic for a 23-yard TD with 6:23 left in the first half. Saint Stephen’s then put together another impressive drive, powering to the OCP 6-yard line. The Falcons took advantage of three 15-yard penalties by OCP. But the drive stalled when Saint Stephen’s was called for offensive pass interference in the end zone on a touchdown pass to Ty Barker with 56 seconds left in the half, and BJ Wagner intercepted Xavier Williams three plays later. Despite the loss, Clark had a strong performance with 141 yards rushing and two touchdowns. Williams passed for 102 yards, and Barker caught seven passes for 107 yards.

“Regardless of what happened tonight, we’ve got to look back at a 10-2 season and feel good about the things we did accomplish,” Saint Stephen’s coach Tod Creneti said. “It’s easy to focus on what went wrong. We want to focus on what went right. We’re proud of our kids.

They battled against a very good team.” Orlando Christian Prep 35, Saint Stephen’s Episcopal School 14 At The Master’s Academy, Oviedo FIRST QUARTER OCP: Jalen Carr 5-yard run (Eldon Lin kick), 3:52. SSE: DJ Clark 37-yard run (Noah LaBelle kick), 2:16. SECOND QUARTER OCP: Xavier Weaver 23-yard pass from Connor Edel (Lin kick), 6:23. THIRD QUARTER OCP: Weaver 19-yard pass from Edel (Lin kick), 9:10.

FOURTH QUARTER OCP: BJ Wagner 11-yard pass from Edel (kick failed), 9:20. SSE: Clark 11-yard run (LaBelle kick), 5:20.

OCP: Weaver 11-yard pass from Edel (Weaver run), 3:41.

11/20/18 - 12/4/18 • Florida Sporting News

Page 5

Boy’s and Girl’s Swimming Results ORLANDO - Boys swimming Class 2A state meet at Sailfish Splashpark Aquatic Athletics Center, Stuart Individuals and relays (winners and local placers): Diving: 1. Jonathan Geraghty, Lincoln Park, 524.29; 200 medley relay: 1. Tampa Jesuit, 1:36.91; 7. Tavares, 1:40.32; 200 free: 1. Lucas Kravchenko, Merritt Island, 1:40.57; 5. Zachary Brewer, Bishop Moore, 1:43.29; 200 IM: 1. Tyler Watson, Paxon, 1:49.11; 50 free: 1. Patryk Pilkowski, Land O’Lakes, 20.87; 14. Jacob White, Tavares, 22.22; 100 fly: 1. Tyler Watson, 48.82; 100 free: 1. Reese Branzell, Dreyfoos, 45.53; 11. Jacob White, Tavares, 48.97; 500 free: 1. Brendan Driscoll, Tampa Jesuit, 4:32.29; 3. Zachary Brewer, Bishop Moore, 4:35.29; 200 free relay: 1. Land O’Lakes, 1:25.68; 14. Tavares, 1:31.61; 100 back: 1. Lucas Kravchenko, Merritt Island, 50.14; 15. Zachary Floyd, Tavares, 56.04; 100 breast: 1.

Spencer Sehlhorst, Lynn Haven Mosley, 57.56; 7. Daniel Westgate, Bishop Moore, 59.62; 400 free relay: 1. Land O’Lakes, 3:11.39; Girls swimming Class 2A state meet at Sailfish Splashpark Aquatic Athletics Center, Stuart Individuals and re-

lays (winners and local placers): Diving: 1. Blair Isenhour, Bishop Moore, 375.05; 200 medley relay: 1. Gulliver Prep, 1:46.03; 12. Bishop Moore, 1:54.58; 16.

Tavares, DQ; 200 free: Ryley Ober, Bayshore, 1:48.93; 200 IM: 1. Nicole Rodriguez, Cape Coral, 2:06.43; 3. Naomi Filkin, Tavares, 2:07.86; 50 free: 1.

Chloe Hernandez, Gulliver Prep, 23.90; 100 fly: 1. Sara Stotler, Clay, 54.82; 6. Mia Yeo, Eus-

tis, 58.49; 15. Theresa Owens, Bishop Moore, 1:01.27; 100 free: 1. Ryley Ober, Bayshore, 51.00; 500 free: 1. Taylor Ward, Land O’Lakes, 4:57.21; 200 free relay: 1. Gulliver Prep, 1:37.56; 100 back: 1. Emily Cordovi, Gulliver Prep, 56.59; 2. Naomi Filkin, Tavares, 56.89; 100 breast: 1.

Cali Wilson, Gulf Breeze, 1:04.92; 400 free relay: 1. Suncoast, 3:36.09; 13.

Bishop Moore, 3:44.81 Boys soccer The Master’s Academy 3, Cornerstone Charter 0 Vince Lopez, Jacob Buchanan and Sebastian Ortega scored for the The Master’s Academy (1-11).

Page 6 Florida Sporting News • 11/20/18 - 12/4/18

Windermere Prep Wins Golf State Championship WINDERMERE - The Boys Golf team is officially the 2018 State Champion! The Lakers started the season with the intention of bringing home another state championship, and the hard work and preparation through this season allowed their goal to come to fruition. The State Tournament was played over two days at Mission Inn Resort, which is one of the most difficult courses played all year. The first day did not start as the Lakers had hoped, but the resiliency of the team was on full display as everyone finished their first round strong after tough starts. The Lakers held a small lead at the conclusion of the first day, but no lead is safe on a demanding golf course like Mission Inn. The team’s inspiration before the final round came from alumni Patrick Wu, who played on the last State Championship Winning team two years ago. He reminded the team to “keep your composure out there.” Tiago Barni saved his lowest round of the sea-

son for when it counted most shooting three under par 69. Artem Yalovenko birdied his final 2 holes of his high school career to shoot even par for the day

solid round of 73. Kenny Nguyen played solid both days finishing 28th overall. Eric Berggren fittingly finished his fourth year of Varsity golf by making the winning putt for the team. This has been an incredible group of Lakers to be around this season. They all pushed each other to get better and came together as a team when it counted. Congrats to the State Champion Boys Golf Team! We thank you all for the support this season! Way to go, Lakers! Windermere Prep 302 –289 —591Tiago Barni 79 – 69 —148Artem Yalovenko 74 –72 —146Danny Nguyen 88 –73 —161Eric Berggren 72 –75 —147Kenny Nguyen 77 – 78 —155

and finish t8 overall individually. Danny Nguyen improved his score the most on day 2 shooting a

DP’s Joey Hodges Wins the Bay Hill Junior Club Championship for the fourth time in the past five years

Joey Hodges, a senior at Dr. Phillips High can recall, for instance, observing the course’s signature Arnold Palmer Invitational in 2013- the last time that Tiger Woods won the event. ͞It’s pretty cool to be a winner here (at Bay Hill),͟ Hodges said. Hodges navigated the links at one of Central Florida’s signature courses — as well as some disagreeable weather — to win the one-day event once again. ͞I played well, but I left some shots out there,͟ Hodges said. ͞There was bad weather, which caused a very long round of delays, so that probably threw me off my game a little. But I dealt with it.͟For Hodges, whose full name is Joey Hodges III, golf has been a part of his life for as long as he can remember — and it always has been a family affair. ͞I think I’ve had a club in my hand since I was born, just because of my dad (Joey Hodges Jr.),͟ Hodges said. ͞I’ve been actually playing since I was 5 or so.͟A member at Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club and Lodge since he was 6, Hodges has spent plenty of time watching golf at the highest level — often by the sport’s most famous competitor. ͞To see how dominant (Tiger Woods) was in person was something,͟ Hodges said. ͞That atmosphere (when Woods plays) is a lot different than it usually is for a golf event. It’s more crowded; it’s louder.͟Of course, Hodges has done more than watch golf over the years. He has played Top 50 Junior Tour events and is in his second season as a captain of the boy’s golf team at Dr. Phillips High. There, he helps to lead a team that is having a strong fall — and a roster that is loaded with dynamic young players. ͞They’re probably better than me,͟ Hodges said of the talented freshmen and sophomores on the team. ͞But some of them look up to me just because I’m older and I’m a leader.͟The team, which placed second at the Metro West Conference Championship, has a 9-1 record in match play heading into district and regional competition. Hodges said he is enjoying the final stretch of his varsity career. Although he would like to continue his career at the college level, he is mentally prepared to go to college in a purely academic role and to continue playing the game he loves on the side. Wherever he should enroll, he hopes to study sports business management.

11/20/18 - 12/4/18 • Florida Sporting News

Page 7

Florida Sporting News Super 15 are in Full Force A district rematch between rivals ranked in the top five of the Florida Sporting New (FSN) Super 15 plays out this week in the FHSAA Class 8A region semifinal round. Top-ranked Wekiva hosts No. 5 Apopka for the second time this season on Friday at 7:30 p.m. The Blue Darters moved up four spots in the rankings after rushing for 268 yards and passing for 257 yards last week in a 35-28 win at Oviedo. Wekiva rolled to a 35-0 win over Apopka in the first meeting on Oct. 26. Varsity Football Round 1 Rewind: Home-field advantage comes in handy for Wekiva Winter Park and Edgewater benefitted from Osceola’s region quarterfinal loss to Bradenton Manatee, as each moved up one spot in the rankings to No. 3 and No. 4, respectively.

The Kowboys dropped three spots to No. 6. Jones remains at No. 2 while defending Class 8A state champion Dr. Phillips holds steady at No. 14 after winning at home in overtime vs. Port St. Lucie Centennial.

The FSN Super 15 consists of teams in Orange, Seminole, Osceola, Lake and southwest Volusia counties. Team record and upcoming opponents are included in rankings with last week’s ranking, if different, noted in parenthesis.

FSN Super 15 1. Wekiva (10-1): Larry Preston rushed for a score and tossed a touchdown pass to Renardo Green in the second quarter during 16-0 win vs. then-No. 8 West Orange (7-4). Next: Friday vs. No. 5 Apopka (83). 2. Jones (10-1): Avarius Sparrow rushed for 116 yards and two touchdowns in 14-7 win vs. then-No. 12 Bishop Moore (6-5). Next: Friday at Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons (9-2). 3. (4) Winter Park (10-1): Marcus Clarke caught six passes for 137 yards and two scores and returned an interception 38 yards for a touchdown in 34-7 win vs.

Flagler Palm Coast (7-4). Next: Friday vs. Jacksonville Mandarin (7-4). 4. (5) Edgewater (10-1): Cobe Stribling caught three passes for 100 yards and two touchdowns in 65-21 win at Gainesville Buchholz (7-4).

Next: Friday at Tallahassee Lincoln (7-4). 5. (9) Apopka (8-3): Eric Wright rushed for 213 yards and a TD and Jackson Darlington threw for 257 yards and two touchdowns in 35-28 win at then-No. 11 Oviedo (8-3). Next: Friday at No. 1 Wekiva (10-1). 6. (3) Osceola (9-2): Dwayne McGee and Colton Weismore scored touchdowns in the second half of 28-17 loss to Bradenton Manatee (7-4). Next: Season complete. 7. (8) West Orange (7-4): Russell Robinson and Caleb Danner each broke up four passes in 16-0 loss at No. 1 Wekiva (10-1). Next: Season complete.

8. (6) DeLand (8-3): Bulldogs were held to less than 100 yards of offense in 35-0 loss at Jacksonville Mandarin (7-4).

Next: Season complete. 9. (11) Oviedo (8-3): Keonte Coffie rushed for two touchdowns and Morgan Mitchell threw for 235

yards in 35-28 loss to then-No. 9 Apopka (8-3).

Next: Season complete. 10. (7) Seminole (8-2): Seminoles did not qualify for Class 8A playoffs.

Next: Season complete. 11. (12) Bishop Moore (6-5): Dale Thomas tossed a 25-yard touchdown pass to Janiero Crankfield in the fourth quarter of 14-7 loss at No. 2 Jones (10-1). Next: Season complete. 12. (10) Harmony (9-2): Elijah

Gunn tallied 15 total tackles and had one of the Longhorns’ three interceptions in 13-6 loss to Lakeland Kathleen (6-5). Next: Season complete.

13. Liberty (9-2): La’Randy Swint caught six passes for 111 yards and two touchdowns and Sterly Saint-Felix finished with 10.5 tackles in 36-22 win vs. Ocoee (5-6) in Gergley Bowl. Next: Season complete. 14. Dr. Phillips (6-5): Cameron Williams and Alberto Guzman intercepted passes and Japerri Powell rushed for four TDs in 34-28 overtime win against Centennial (7-3). Next: Friday at Vero Beach (11-0). 15. Lake Mary (5-5): Rams did not qualify for Class 8A playoffs. Next: Season complete.

Page 8 Florida Sporting News • 11/20/18 - 12/4/18

Brad Lord’s Foundation is on FIRE! WINTER GARDEN - Coach Brad Lord is an amazing coach who always gets the most out of his players. This season is no different. Lord has created pride and tradition to a program that is limited supported. His players are dedicated and are focused to win.

This is one of the feel good story of the year, seeing this coach and his team rise from all the doubters. Most local football programs did not give a ͞Snowballs chance in Hell!͟to Foundation Academy.

This team is playing great football and we expect them to continue their winning tradition. Foundation Academy quarterback Henry Austad connected on three touchdown passes to receiver Grayson Wagner as the Lions rolled to a 42-12 home win over Zephyrhills Christian to advance to the Class 2A, Region 2 football final. The second-seeded Lions (9-2) advance to state quarterfinal round for the second time in three seasons and will play top-seeded Victory Christian in Lakeland in a rematch of the regional final from 2016.

The Storm (10-1) shut out Deltona Trinity Christian 35-0 on Friday. Victory won the 2016 region game in overtime, giving a little extra motivation for the Lions as they practice this week. ͞We’ll be ready, this is a new year with a new team. ͟ Foundation Academy head coach Brad Lord said. The Lions got on the board on the opening drive when Warren Sapp II recovered a botched punt snap in the end zone. That was one of two touchdowns Foundation scored on special team’s mishaps, with the other coming when Danny Stutsman recovered a fumbled punt return in the end

zone. Austad passed for 212 yards in total and also ran for 53 yards and a touchdown.

Wagner was on the receiving end of 200 of those passing yards, spanning five receptions. ͞They were playing a lot of man (coverage),͟ Austad said. ͞I knew that I had Grayson --

my No. 1 target pretty much all year -- and they had the linebacker on him all night.͟Javion Hanner and Tommy Scott scored the two touchdowns for Zephyrhills Christian on runs of 68 yards and 8 yards, respectively. Extra points: The win for Foundation Academy means a pair of firsts for the school’s football program, according to head coach Brad Lord.

For the first time, the Lions will practice on Thanksgiving week. Also, nine wins sets a school record. Bailey Trinder, a junior for the Foundation football team who was severely injured in an automobile accident earlier this fall, was on the sideline for the game. ͞It’s awesome just to see him here with a smile

on his face, supporting us,͟ junior quarterback Henry Austad said. Zephyrhills Christian had trouble moving the ball for most of the night, with its running game having modest success. Javion Hanner rushed for 99 yards and one touchdown on the game, while Tommy Scott rushed for 68 yards and one touchdown on just six carries.

Austad’s third touchdown pass to Wagner came with 9:34 remaining in the game and extended Foundation Academy’s lead to 42-6 at the time, enacting a running clock. Foundation’s pass coverage was a highlight for its defense, as the Lions held Zephyrhills Christian quarterback Jacoby Braxton to just 5-of-17 passing for 39 yards on the game. Foundation Academy 42, Zephyrhills Christian 12 FIRST QUARTER: FA: Warren Sapp II recovered fumble in end zone (Mykal Chan kick), 9:42 ZCA: Javion Hanner 68 yard run (Kollin Eckel kick failed), 3:31 FA: Grayson Wagner 80 yard pass from Henry Austad (Chan kick), 2:42 SECOND QUARTER: FA: Austad 5 yard run (Chan kick), 11:00 FA: Wagner 52 yard pass from Austad (Chan kick), 1:06 THIRD QUARTER: FA: Danny Stutsman recovered fumble in end zone (Chan kick), 6:29 FOURTH QUARTER: FA: Wagner 25 yard pass from Austad (Ian Garcia kick), 9:34 ZCA: Tommy Scott 8 yard run (Run failed), 6:00

11/20/18 - 12/4/18 • Florida Sporting News

Page 9

Winter Park’s Geneva Wins State Championship in Volleyball ORLANDO - Geneva of Winter Park Wins

the sun and sand is hard, especially when State Championship in Volleyball Hollie you have two people on the court,͟Renfrow Benjumea, you just led The Geneva School’s said. ͞You build a lot of endurance.͟She said volleyball team to a third consecutive state that endurance will be vital against Harvest, final. What are you going to do? ͞I’m hoping which has two strong outside hitters in Reto win a state title and I’m ready to have bekah Wilcox (360 kills) and Kylie Vining a baby; that’s the story,͟ said the Geneva (301 kills). Renfrow said they hit cross-court coach, who is due to have a boy on Dec. shots at a deep angle, forcing Geneva’s libe18. If the fairy tale script works out perfect- ro to cover the corners. However, Geneva ly, first her Knights club will take home the has the experience of playing in the state first state championship in school history in any sport. To do so, the Knights (17-6) must beat Jacksonville Harvest Community (23-9) in Thursday afternoon’s FHSAA Class 2A girls volleyball state final at Suncoast Credit Union Arena in Fort Myers. Start time is 1 p.m. A Geneva team missing three starters beat Harvest 25-12, 25-23 on Sept. 22 in a Sarasota tournament.

College visits took away Junior Emmalise Dunnavan and senior setter Maggie Segarra while an ankle injury sidelined junior middle blocker Lily Weir. Benjumea said several young players made a jump in level and shined in that tournament.Unity has carried the Knights all year. ͞We’re definitely more of a team this year,͟ said Segarra, who finals. The Knights were state runners-up the has a team-high 400 assists. ͞All the girls past two years and now occupy the role of have good relationships with each other. In favorite. Geneva is ranked No 1 in 2A by our outside lives, we’re good friends. That MaxPreps. makes it easier to play with each other.͟That unity has helped the squad overcome injuries ͞It’s been a blessing even though we’ve lost valuable seniors over the years that we’ve and illness. Dunnavan, who has 183 kills, said that a flu bug hit Geneva School before been able to make it back,͟ Dunnavan said.

Benjumea said that a big arena won’t scare the playoffs, but the team bounced back. her Knights. ͞For most of our starters, it’s Benjumea and several players said Geneva their second or third time going to the reaped the benefits of playing spring beach state finals,͟ she said. ͞They’re more calm volleyball. Junior outside hitter Connelly Renfrow has benefited the most, tallying 204 and relaxed about the procedure and decokills, 120 assists and 126 digs. ͞Being out in rum.͟Benjumea has split her focus this year

between her volleyball team and carrying her baby boy. She is nearly 36 weeks into her pregnancy but to this point does not have a name. She said that the team unity has helped her handle her pregnancy. The Geneva coach sensed a little hesitancy when she told her team about her second pregnancy. But she has impressed her team with the dual focus. ͞We’re very excited for her,͟ said middle blocker Rylee Thomas, who has a team-high 84 blocks. ͞It’s crazy that she’s able to raise a kid and able to coach.͟Dunnavan had seen this script before when Benjumea gave birth to daughter Cassia nearly three years ago. ͞It was such a roller coaster having her coach us while she was pregnant,͟ Dunnavan said. ͞She didn’t let being pregnant get in the way of her coaching. It was super fun that we got an inside look at her family. I’m excited to meet the little one and have that dynamic this year.͟When asked about a backup plan should the baby boy make an early arrival, Benjumea did not have one. Segarra guessed that JV coach Tiffany Downs might lead the team should Benjumea go into labor. Benjumea, however, said that regardless of who is coaching at that point, the players must write the perfect ending. ͞These girls know what they’re doing,͟ Benjumea said. ͞It’s not a whole lot about me. I think they’d be fine.

Page 10 Florida Sporting News • 11/20/18 - 12/4/18

Wekiva Dominates Apopka to Advance to State Playoffs ORLANDO - Wekiva’s defense was again too much for rival Apopka as the Mustangs took another step forward in their bid for a football state championship on Friday night.

Junior quarterback Larry Preston threw three touchdown passes and ran for Wekiva’s fourth score in a 28-7 homefield victory over crosstown rival Apopka in a Class 8A, Region 1 semifinal.

The Mustangs (111), as top seeds in the region, will be at home for the third straight playoff round and fifth time in six weeks as host for a state quarterfinal game next Friday night. Wekiva will play Jacksonville Mandarin (8-4), which won 41-8 at Winter Park (10-2).

Wekiva, also No. 1 in the Sentinel Super 16 area rankings, is on a seven-game winning streak and

had posted five consecutive shutouts before Friday night. Fifth seed Apopka snapped that streak with a TD pass in the first minute of the fourth quarter. Preston threw for 196 yards, tossing TD passes of 47 and 62 yards to Terrence Moore.

He also ran 25 yard for a score.

Apopka’s defense kept the game scoreless until the second quarter

The Mustangs only loss was a 3029 setback against West Orange in September in which they let a late lead slip away. Wekiva 28, Apopka 7 SECOND QUARTER: W: Terrence Moore 47-yard pass from Larry Preston (Bryan Wilson kick), 10:47. W: Wilson 31-yard FG, 4:54. THIRD QUARTER: W: Preston 25-yard run (kick failed), 7:08.

W: Tyler Davis 23-yard pass from Preston (kick failed), 4:29.

FOURTH QUARTER: A: Eric Wright 31yard pass from Jackson Darlington (Titus Vandiver kick), when Preston threw a TD pass to 11:36. W: Moore 62-yard pass from Moore and Bryan Wilson boomed a Preston (run failed), 11:16.

31-yard field goal to give Wekiva a 10-0 halftime lead. Akeem Brown had 52 yards rushing for the Blue Darters, who lost to Wekiva 35-0 in a regular seasond district game.

11/20/18 - 12/4/18 • Florida Sporting News

Page 11

The First Academy Advances to the next level ORLANDO - The First Academy raced out to an early lead in front of its home crowd and never looked back in a 40-20 win over Daytona Beach Father Lopez in a 3A, Region 2 football final on Friday night. Running back Rolous Frazier led the way for the Royals rushing for 279 yards on 22 carries and scored four touchdowns.

Frazier opened the game with a 74-yard touchdown run on the second play from scrimmage. The Green Wave cut the lead to 14-7 on a 37-yard run

by Nathan Braswell that capped the opening drive of the third quarter. After Frazier’s third score of the game the ensuing kickoff was returned 73 yards by Eddie Whipple and TFA had a 20-14 advantage. TFA will travel to West Palm Beach King’s Academy (10-1) next week. Extra points: Fans braved weather in the 40s

and were treated to a game with lots of offensive fireworks.

TFA got interceptions from Nathan Edwards and Lake Ellis that stopped promising drives for Father Lopez. Ellis caught a 45 yard pass from quarterback Matt Edwards. Royals running back Owen Pifer added 96 yards on 13 carries and a three yard

touchdown to give his team a 27-14 lead in the third quarter.

TFA 40, Father Lopez 20 FIRST QUARTER: FA: Rolous Frazier

74 yard run (Everett Simpson kick), 11:07 FA: Frazier 11 yard run (Simpson kick), 8:07 THIRD QUARTER: FL: Nathan Braswell 37 yard run (Parker Koch kick), 10:01 FA: Frazier 2 yard run (kick failed), 5:53 FL: Eddie Whipple 73 yard kickoff return (Koch kick), 5:41 FA: Owen Pifer 3 yard run (Simpson kick), 2:12 FOURTH QUARTER: FA: Frazier 49 yard run (Simpson kick), 10:23 FA: Lake Ellis 45 yard pass from Matt Edwards (kick failed), 8:30 FL: Katavion Scott 3 yard run (kick failed), 4:25

Page 12 Florida Sporting News • 11/20/18 - 12/4/18