Kickoff Classic high school football live: Apopka, Seminole, Jones among winners
Orlando area high school football scoreboard: Kickoff Classic preseason games
CHECK THE LIVE SCOREBOARD POST LISTING ALL GAMES
Weather was dreary most of the day but it cleared the way for a busy night of high school Kickoff Classics.
Follow the action here in our live report and at our live SentinelVarsity.com scoreboard. Note that Leesburg, which enters the season with a lot of hype and high hopes for a big-time turnaround, looked the part in a 47-0 win over Crystal River in one of three games played Thursday night. The Yellow Jackets made big play after big play in that rout.
Here are updates on tonight’s matchups:
Teams are listed with their 2022 win-loss record.
Lake Mary 31, Bishop Moore 17 (final)
Covered by J.C. Carnahan, Sentinel staff reporter
Lake Mary benefited from first-quarter miscues by host Bishop Moore in its preseason victory.
Junior linebacker Luke Preito set the tone with two sacks in the first half, the first of which resulted in a fumble recovered by senior John Scarelli. A 24-yard field goal from junior Luke Shale put the Rams in front for good.
“As a team we were itching to play and get it going again, and we just got loose in the first quarter and just shut it down from there,” Preito said.
Preito, who also deflected a pass at the line of scrimmage, ended the first half with a sack after the Hornets got the ball down to the 29-yard line.
Lake Mary built a 17-0 lead on a pair of touchdowns by sophomore quarterback Noah Grubbs.
Grubbs rushed for a 4-yard TD up the middle two plays after senior Logan Cook picked up 25 yards on an impressive catch in the red zone. Then on Lake Mary’s next possession, Grubbs closed out the opening quarter by throwing deep down the middle to senior Carson Hinshaw for an 81-yard score. The two linked up again early in the third quarter for a 30-yard TD to make it a 31-3 game.
Grubbs finished with 208 yards passing and four total TDs, but was intercepted twice by sophomore Trenton Gummer on back-to-back possessions in the second quarter.
The Rams made stops twice on special teams and partially blocked a punt in the first half.
After forcing Bishop Moore’s punter to scramble for yardage, he was stopped short of the first-down marker on a hard hit along the home sideline. Lake Mary snuffed out a fake field-goal attempt early in the second quarter.
Bishop Moore junior quarterback Bjorn Jurgensen started the night with six straight completions but was on the wrong end of multiple dropped passes while finishing 20-of-33 for 100 yards.
The Hornets made it a 24-3 game late in the third quarter on a 28-yard kick by Evan Scruggs after forcing a ball carrier to turn it over in the backfield in Lake Mary territory.
Bishop Moore reached the end zone with 7:17 left in the game when junior athlete Gabe Diaz took a shotgun snap and went 9 yards for a score. Diaz rushed nine times and caught five passes for 81 total yards.
These are the in-game updates:
It’s final.
Freshman Jaelyn Powell rushes for a 5-yard TD for Bishop Moore with 3:06 left as Hornets cut the Lake Mary advantage to 31-17. Rams appear to have moved some players around after scoring earlier in quarter.
Bishop Moore reached the end zone with 7:17 left on a 9-yard run by junior athlete Gabe Diaz out of the Wildcat package. Diaz has touched the ball numerous times as both a rusher and receiver. Lake Mary leads 31-10.
Noah Grubbs and Carson Hinshaw connect for the second time on a TD pass, this time from 30 yards out to give LM a 31-3 lead with 10:59 left.
Bishop Moore forced a ball carrier to turn it over in the backfield and took, over at Lake Mary’s 15-yard line. The Rams defense held up and the Hornets settled for a 28-yard FG by senior Evan Scrugg. Rams lead 24-3 at 2:35 in 3rd.
Lake Mary led 24-3 heading into the fourth quarter.
Lake Mary opened first half with a 9-play drive that goes 80 yards and ends with a 21-yard TD on a quick dump off over the middle from Noah Grubbs to junior Isaiah Thomas. Rams lead 24-0 at 8:40 in 3Q.
First half ends on a sack by Lake Mary’s Luke Preito, his second of the first half. Rams lead Bishop Moore 17-0.
Bishop Moore sophomore Trenton Gummer has intercepted Lake Mary on back-to-back possessions on deep throws along the visiting sideline. We’ve got 3:01 left in 2Q.
Lake Mary forced another punt and Noah Grubbs threw deep over the middle to senior Carson Hinshaw for an 81-yard TD to end the first quarter. Rams lead 17-0.
Senior Logan Cook picked up a 25-yard gain on an impressive catch in the red zone. Rams added a TD on a 4-yard run by QB Noah Grubbs. Lake Mary leads 10-0 at 4:25 first quarter.
Lake Mary junior Luke Preito forced a fumble on a sack. The Rams settled for 24-yard FG by Luke Shale and lead 7:44 in first quarter.
The game plan for this one is varsity going the full four quarters.
Both teams made playoff runs to finish 8-4 last season and are pumped going into 2022.
Lake Mary’s Scott Perry (118-74, 19th season) and Bishop Moore’s Matt Hedrick (167-72, 22nd year) are two of the longest tenured head coaches in the area.
Apopka 16, Osceola 15 (final)
Covered by Steve Gorches, correspondent.
The outcome may have been meaningless as a preseason game, but you couldn’t tell by watching Apopka edge Osceola 16-15 in a barn-burner.
It came down to a Kowboys’ field goal attempt with 1:03 remaining that was just wide left.
The theme was youth as the Blue Darters got to see more of sophomore QB Tyson Davison, who had 103 yards rushing on 14 carries, including a 37-yard touchdown scamper.
“He did a good job, cleaning up some things and he’s going to get better,” Apopka coach Jeff Robson said. “We need to do a better job of blocking for him.”
Osceola coach Eric Pinellas has plenty of youth and inexperience, too, but he was happy with the effort, especially with No. 1 running back and UCF commit Taevion Swint out with a knee injury.
The Kowboys had three different backs carrying the load. Jeffrey Sinphat and Elijah Melendez each had 60 yards rushing with Melendez scoring on a 37-yard TD run. Elijah Hickson added 46 yards on 10 carries.
“We’re young as heck, but what we got out of it is knowing we can run the ball with Swint on the shelf,” Pinellas said. “We’re going to need those guys later in the season.”
And they will need them for the first few games as Pinellas is hoping Swint will be back for the third or fourth game of the season.
These were the in-game updates:
Osceola had a chance to take the lead, driving down to the Apopka 13 yard line, but the Kowboys missed a 30-yard field goal attempt with 1:03 remaining. Apopka clings to 16-15 lead.
Osceola gets the ball back near midfield with 5 minutes left after stopping Apopka’s offense.
Three plays later, Elijah Melendez gets his team some points on defense with a QB sack of Tyson Davison in the end on for a safety. Apopka 16, Osceola 15 with 11:21 remaining.
On the first play of the fourth quarter, Osceola closed the gap with a 37-yard TD run by junior RB Elijah Melendez. It’s Apopka 16, Osceola 13 with 11:49 to go in the game
Antwone Robinson scores on a 1-yard TD plunge for Apopka with 3:26 left in 3Q. Kick is good and Blue Darters lead 16-7.
Davison with another big run on a QB keeper for Apopka with 16 yards on 2rd and 11 to put the Darters inside the 5 yard line.
Osceola goes 3-and-out and Apopka’s first drive of the 3Q is kept alive with a roughing the punter penalty, putting the Darters in Osceola territory.
After another fourth down conversion, Apopka took the lead late in the first half on a 37-yard TD run by QB Tyson Davison. The conversion failed, so halftime score is Apopka 9, Osceola 7.
Davison had 81 yards rushing on 12 carries in the first half.
Apopka QB Tyson Davison kept a drive alive with a 14-yard run on third and 13 with 1:23 left in the half
An Osceola possession was kept alive on a roughing the passer penalty. Three plays later, junior QB Camren West threw to WR Nortorious Reynolds for 27-yard TD catch and run play. With 4:21 left in the 2Q, Osceola 7, Apopka 3.
End of 1Q, Apopka leads 3-0.
Osceola got one first down and punts. All five plays were handoffs to sophomore RB Jeffrey Sinophat, who will get lots of reps with UCF commit Taevion Swint being held out due to injury.
Osceola got a pair of first downs before stalling. Apopka took the lead on a 37-yard field goal by Hayden Kosicki. Apopka 3, Osceola 0, with 5:45 left in 1Q
The game is underway. Marcus Grant returned the opening kickoff for Apopka 45 yards to give the Darters good field position.
Both saw top-tier talent graduate but reloading the talent pool is nothing new for either.
Osceola coach Eric Pinellas was a longtime Osceola assistant, including the years in which Apopka coach Jeff Rolson was head coach for the Kowboys (2006-09). That stint included a state runner-up finish in 2007.
Seminole 16, Edgewater 7 (final)
Covered by Nate Marrero, Correspondent
Behind a dominant defensive performance and two touchdowns from junior
athlete David Parks, Sanford Seminole put on a good show at home in a duel of perennial state title contenders.
The game was only three quarters. Each team’s backup players played in
the first quarter, and the starters played in the second and third
quarters.
On the first play of the game, Parks dropped back to pass, then found
a lane and ran for a 75-yard touchdown. He also caught a 28-yard
touchdown pass from senior quarterback Karson Siquerios-Lasky with
44.2 seconds left in the first half.
“We try to tell everybody David Parks is one of the most versatile
kids in the class of 2025,“ Seminole head coach Karl Calhoun Jr. said.
“He lined up at quarterback, he lined up at running back, he
lined up at receiver. We’re trying to use him every way we can. We’re
going to use him to the best of his abilities and it showed tonight.”
Siquerios-Lasky transferred back to Seminole after playing last season
at Lake Highland Prep.
Seminole’s defense was stout after Edgewater scored on its first
offensive possession. The ‘Noles’ defense had a safety in the second
quarter that gave them a 9-7 lead. They also forced Edgewater to turn
it over on downs deep in Seminole territory on the first drive of the
third quarter.
Seminole’s defense was without four starters: Junior cornerback Juan
Berchal, senior linebacker Jordyn Perkins, senior defensive lineman
Preston Watson and senior safety Cori Smith.
“It’s next man up mentality here,“ Calhoun said. “We practice to
always be prepared and those guys were prepared.”
Calhoun said every player that was out except for Burchal will be
available for Seminole’s season-opener. They host Rockledge on Aug. 25
at 7 p.m.
The Eagles’ lone touchdown of the game came on their first offensive
possession with a 7-yard pop pass from senior quarterback Sebastian
Talma to junior receiver Tyson Carter. Sophomore quarterback Michael Clayton II saw his first action since
breaking his collarbone in Edgewater’s spring game, playing in the
second and third quarters.
Friday marked Edgewater’s first kickoff classic game since 2019. The
Covid-19 pandemic and inclement weather forced them out of preseason games in the past three years.
“That’s why you play a great team in the classic so you can see the
areas that you have to drastically improve on,“ Edgewater coach
Cameron Duke said. “You celebrate that which is good but now we’ve got
some quality tape to go and teach on Monday and have a lot of
corrections. You’re going to get exposed when you play a great
Teal. I’m excited about that”
The Eagles host Bishop Moore on Aug. 25 at 7 p.m.
These were the in-game updates:
There were zero points in the third and final quarter.
Halftime: Seminole 16, Edgewater 7.
Seminole quarterback Karson Siqueiros-Lasky throws David Parks, who played QB in the first quarter, for a 28-yard touchdown. The ‘Noles up their lead to 16-7 with 44 seconds to go in the half.
Seminole scored on a safety, tackling an Edgewater ball-carrier in the end zone to go ahead 9-7 with 9:219 to go in 2Q.
First quarter ends in 7-7 tie.
Edgewater ties the game on a 7-yard pass Sebastian Talma to Tyson Carter. 7-7 at 9:05 first quarter.
David Parks, who was a varsity starter at quarterback for Seminole last season, took the opening snap and ran 75 yards for a touchdown. ‘Noles lead 7-0 at 11:43. We’re told the first quarter will be JV and backup guys followed by varsity play for the second and third. No fourth quarter.
Edgewater continued its quest for a state title last year but was ousted by Jones in a Class 3 Metro region final after beating the Tigers in a regular season district game.
Edgewater was 12-1 last season, Seminole 9-3.
Seminole went 43-6 over the past four seasons with an 11-3 playoff record that included six postseason wins in its 2020 state championship campaign.
Seminole’s quarterback position is something to watch. Senior QB Karson Siqueiros-Lasky, a Penn commit, returned to the ‘Noles this year after playing for Lake Highland Prep last season. David Parks, who played a lot of QB as a sophomore for Seminole last season, may have to move to another position.
Jones 38, Tampa Jesuit 18 (final)
Covered by Jeff Gardenour, correspondent
Sophomore quarterback Dereon Coleman threw for more than 200 yards and five touchdowns to lead Jones in the 2023 Legacy Classic at Camping World Stadium.
Coleman split quarterback snaps with senior Trever Jackson, a transfer from West Orange, and the duo combined for more than 260 yards and six TDs in the preseason game. The Tigers broke open a tight 13-10 game by scoring 25 unanswered points spanning the latter stages of the second quarter to finish.
Vernell Brown, a transfer from Wildwood, had almost 100 yards in receptions and two TD catches for Jones. Five players in all caught TD passes for Jones, which went 11-3 and advanced to the Class 3 Metro state semifinals last year.
“It was a great team win,” Brown said. “It felt good to come out and compete for the first time with a new team. It was a good win but we have a lot of things to work on.”
Jesuit quarterback Will Griffin, one of the nation’s highly recruited quarterbacks, threw for more than 130 yards and one TD, but was intercepted twice. He led Jesuit to a 9-5 record and the 3M state semifinals last year.
These were the in-game updates:
Jones sophomore QB Dereon Coleman throws fifth touchdown pass. This one for 15 yards to Walki Ambroise. Jones rolling, leading Tampa Jesuit 32-10 with 27 seconds left in third quarter.
Jones sophomore QB Dereon Coleman going wild. He completed a 68-yard catch-and-run TD pass to Jacquez Varner. That is 4 TD passes now for Coleman. Jones missed PAT kick attempt. Tigers lead Jesuit 26-10 with 5:20 to go in 3Q.
The Jones secondary clamps down, forces 3-and-out to start second half.
Jones QB Dereon Coleman passed for 100 yards and 3 TDs in the first half. Jesuit star QB thriew for 92 yards and one score. Jones leads 20-10 at the break.
Jones sophomore QB Dereon Coleman does it again. This time a 37-yard TD pass to Jaylen Smith with 8 seconds to go in the first half. Smith splits two defenders and races to the end zone. Jones 20, Jesuit 10.
Tampa Jesuit senior quarterback Will Griffin laced a perfect 10-yard strike to S.J. Green for a touchdown. Jones lead is trimmed to 13-10 with 48 seconds left in first half. Griffin is slicing up Jones secondary.
Jones DL D’Antre Robinson is stuffing the run.
Jones strikes again. Sophomore Dereron Coleman throws 22-yard TD pass to Vernell Brown — their second combo of the night. Jones leads Jesuit 13-0 at 9:25 of 2Q.
End of first quarter.: Jones 7, Tampa Jesuit 0. Jones is on the move again.
Jones defense forced 3-and-out. The Tigers drove to the Jesuit 5-yard line but Trever Jackson’s fourth-down pass fell incomplete pass in the end zone.
Jones sophomore QB Dereon Coleman threw perfect 19-yard strike to Vernell Brown to open the scoring. Coleman completed 2 passes for 64 yards in 5-play, 75-yard drive. Tigers lead 7-0 with 9:39 to go in first quarter.
Tussle of two teams named Tigers in a big game at Orlando’s biggest venue, Camping World Stadium. Both were in the 3 Metro Final four last season and both have high hopes again.
Jones, 71-15 in seven seasons under the direction of coach Elijah Williams, gained an electrifying quarterback in Trever Jackson and has the receivers to take advantage of his big arm. The running game is also there with Jerrian Parker, who rushed for 877 yards as a junior.
Jesuit was an unbeaten state title team in 2021 and has 4-star sophomore quarterback prospect Will Griffin. He threw 30 TD passes as an eighth grader for Northside Christian and 18 as a Jesuit ninth grader.
Lake Minneola 27, Dr. Phillips 21 (final)
Covered by Chris Martucci, correspondent
Lake Minneola held off a late charge from Dr. Phillips after a dominant first half. The Hawks led 27-7 at the break.
After DP drove to the 29-yard line in the final seconds, the Hawks intercepted Panthers quarterback Stanley Anderson at the 22 to seal the victory.
“We played a good first half, but we were lax in the second half. I’ll take the blame
for that,” said Hawks head coach Walter Banks. “In the first half, we did a lot of
things right on offense; we gave them trouble with our tempo, our special teams
were big and our defense was flying around. We’ve got to put it all together for four
quarters.”
Hawks senior quarterback Jackson Hughes threw for two touchdowns – a 54-yard
bomb to receiver Braylon Knauth and a 43-yard pass to Ky’Mani Fils-Amie. He
finished the night with nearly 200 yards passing.
Lake Minneola is coming off a 10-2 2023 season that saw them lose in the Class 4
state playoffs to Lakeland.
These were the in-game updates:
Lake Minneola intercepted a Stanley Anderson pass to halt a promising drive in its tracks. Lake Minneola took over on its 22-yard line and sealed the deal.
DP defense holds strong, stopping the Hawks on fourth down. The Panthers take possession with a chance to take the lead.
A TD screen pass from Stanley Anderson to Amari Major put Dr. Phillips within striking distance of Lake Minneola. That was Major’s third touchdown of the game, first as a receiver. Panthers now trail 27-21 in the fourth quarter.
Amari Major scampered for a 30-yard run from the DP 40 to the Lake Minneola 30. Panthers threatening to score as they enter the red zone.
Third time proved to be the charm for Amari Major as he punched it in on his third straight run for a Dr. Phillips touchdown. Extra point is good. DP trails 27-14 in the third quarter. Time is being kept on the field.
Stanley Anderson made another big run to set Dr. Phillips up in a goal to go situation, stampeding 15 yards on third down. First and goal for the Panthers on the Lake Minneola 10-yard-line. Time out for an injury.
We are just about to get underway in the second half here at Bill Spoone Stadium at Dr. Phillips High School. DP starts with the ball trailing 27-7 to Lake Minneola.
Halftime. Lake Minneola: 27 – Dr. Phillips: 7.
Lake Minneola quarterback Jackson Hughes connected with Ky’Mani Fils-Amie for a 43-yard touchdown. Kania’s second TD throw of the night. Extra point is good. Lake Minneola leads 27-7 in the second quarter. Time is being kept on the field as the scoreboard clock is not functioning.
Lake Minneola blocked Dr. Phillips’ field goal attempt and take over at the 39-yard line.
After converting a fourth down, Lake Minneola fumbled and Dr. Phillips recovered to take over on the 34-yard line.
Dr. Phillips scored on a short plunge Amari Major on the second try after Stanley Anderson’s 35-yard run. Extra point was good. Lake Minneola leads 20-7 with 32 seconds left in the first quarter.
DP finally crossed midfield after a 19-yard pass from Stanley Anderson to Mykel Calixte. Panthers are threatening.
Lake Minneola scores again on a 54-yard deep touchdown pass from Jackson Hughes to Braylon Knauth. Hawks lead up to 20-0 with 2:47 left in the first quarter.
Another drive stalled out from Dr. Phillips as they punted away to Lake Minneola. Panthers have not crossed the 50 yard line with 3:30 remaining in the first quarter.
Lake Minneola’s Anthony Franklin broke through and blocked Taylor Harris’s punt, and then returned it for a touchdown. Hawks lead 13-0 with 5:19 left in the first quarter.
Stanley Anderson’s pass bounces off Cameran Dixon’s hands and was picked off by Lake Minneola. That set up the game’s first score. Dane Thompkins punched it in for a touchdown two play later. Hawks lead 6-0 after the kick was blocked by Maliki Wright.
DP is looking to bounce back after missing the playoffs with 4-6 seasons the past two years. That ended a 15-year playoff appearance streak (2006-20) that included 12 consecutive district championships.
Lake Minneola was 10-2 last season. The Hawks went 36-12 with three district titles in the past four years.
Olympia 14, Boone 0 (final)
Covered by Max Gamarra, Correspondent
Senior RB Romelo Ware, a newcomer, was pretty much the entire offense for Olympia in its shutout victory vs. visiting Boone.
“When you have an exceptional talent like Romelo, you give him the ball,” Olympia head coach Travis Gabriel said. “And that’s what we did tonight.”
Ware, a transfer from Lake Highland Prep, was active in the first quarter, breaking off touchdown runs of 34 and 56 yards. Olympia led 14-0 at the end of the first quarter, and the score stayed that way until the final whistle sounded.
Boone was unable to get anything going on offense, turning the ball over twice and failing to convert multiple fourth downs.
“I think it just goes down to my defensive coordinator,” Gabriel said, referring to Vernon Mitchell. “I would tell anybody, I got one of the best coaches. He does it all, he’s a student of the game.”
Olympia will host Wekiva next Friday. Boone will be away at Timber Creek on the same night.
Here are the in-game feeds:
After a three-and-out, Boone took over in Olympia territory. But the Braves didn’t hold on to the ball for long, with a fumble that Olympia recovered with 1:06 to go.
Boone faced a fourth-and-15 from the Olympia 40-yard line. Senior QB Mercer St. John was unable to find anyone to convert the first down. Olympia took over up 14-0 with 3:16 left in the 4th.
Olympia fumbled away a hand-off in the red zone after a long drive. Boone recovered and took possession on its own 18-yard line. Olympia 14, Boone 0, with 6:15 left in the 4th.
End of third quarter: Olympia 14, Boone 0.
Olympia QB Juan Gainous connected with WR Camren McClendon-Ware for a 56-yard touchdown pass, however it was called back due to a holding penalty on the offense. Olympia 14, Boone 0, 1:14 left in the 3Q.
Boone’s first drive to open the second half stalled at the Olympia 31-yard line. Boone QB Sam Johnson’s pass flew through the hands of sophomore WR LJ Wilson on fourth-and-6. Olympia took possession up 14-0 with 5:17 left in the 3Q..
Halftime: Olympia 14, Boone 0.
Boone RB Laggarius Marshell broke off a 42-yard run for the first sign of life from the Braves’ offense. With the run, Boone crossed the 50-yard line for the first time in the game with 6:33 left in the second quarter.
At the end of the first quarter, Olympia 14, Boone 0.
Olympia RB Romelo Ware found the end zone for the second time, breaking into open field for a 56-yard rushing touchdown. Titans senior QB Juan Gainous found the end zone on a QB sneak for the two-point conversion. Olympia leads 14-0 with 1:04 left in the first quarter.
Ware opened the scoring with a 34-yard tackle-breaking touchdown run. Boone was able to block the extra point, Titans lead 6-0 with 3:53 in the first.
Both teams advanced to 4 Metro regional play last season.
Olympia (6-5) has high hopes with a number of transfers adding talent to a stockpile that included one of the area’s leading returning passers, senior quarterback Juan Gainous (1,575 yards, 23 TDs, 3 interceptions in the regular season) and a strong receiving corps. Senior DB Jalon Thompson leads a strong Olympia defense.
Let’s see how speedster brothers Romelo Ware and Camren Ware, transfers from Lake Highland Prep, fit into the Olympia attack.
Boone has running back Laggarius Marshell, who was the area’s No. 2 regular season rusher as a junior.
Other big games
DeLand 42, West Orange 21 (final)
DeLand leads 42-21 with 6:23 to go.
The Bulldogs leads 35-14 after scoring again in the second minute of the final quarter.
Halftime: DeLand 27, West Orange 14.
DeLand goes up 27-7 and Javon Ross has scored all four touchdowns for the Bulldogs.
DeLand leads 12-7 in the second quarter after the teams trade long TD plays. The Daytona Beach News-Journal reported that Javon Ross took a screen pass 57 yards for his second touchdown of the night. Avis Brown then ran 63 yards to put West Orange on the board.
This is a game matching two 2022 playoff teams match up at Spec Martin Stadium.
DeLand (6-5 in 2022) is back in the hunt with a strong senior class for coach Rick Darlington, the mastermind of Apopka’s three state title teams. The Bulldogs offense includes quarterback TJ Moore, who ran and passed for more than 1,000 yards, and versatile Javon Ross.
West Orange (7-5), a district champion the past three seasons, returns the majority of its starters, including stellar senior wideout Jordyn Bridgewater.
Ocoee 27, Oak Ridge 13 (final)
Ocoee led 27-13 in the fourth quarter. The Knights took a 13-0 first quarter lead and were up 13-6 at halftime.
Ocoee, coming off a historic 4 Metro state semifinal showing, promoted former assistant Sheddrick “Buck” Gurley to head coach in hopes of maintaining momentum. He’s said the Knights (9-5 in 2022) still have the talent to continue their winning ways.
Oak Ridge also has a new coach in Andrew Anderson, who has tasted plenty of success as an assistant to Elijah WIlliams at Oak Ridge and Jones.
This game figures to answer some questions about programs.
Gainesville Buchholz 28, Wekiva 27 (final)
Buchholz (10-3 in 2022) took a 28-6 lead but Wekiva (5-6) pulled to within 28-27 in the second half. The Mustangs went for two in hopes of taking the lead after a touchdown, but failed.
The Mustangs, under third-year coach Jeremiah Rodriguez-Schwartz, were a threat to every team they played last season. A key this year is how new starters develop around senior defensive stalwart Sincere Edwards and senior quarterback Tyray Davis (1,892 total yards, 15 TDs). Buchholz won region titles to reach state semifinals the past two seasons.
Deltona (7-3) at Oviedo (10-2)
Oviedo led 35-0 at the half.
Oviedo enjoyed a 3 Metro regional semifinal appearance in Year 2 for coach Greg Odierno and the Lions look like a district favorite again. Senior QB Jackson Latour threw for 2,176 yards in 2022.
Gainesville (0-10) at Winter Park (10-2), 7 pm
The host Wildcats begin Year 17 for head coach Tim Shifflet (123-55) at Showalter Field. Winter Park was a 4M region semifinalist in 2022.
Timber Creek 14, Tohopekaliga 14 (final)
Timber Creek led 7-0 at the half and 14-7 going into the fourth quarter before the Tigers tied the score.
Tohopekaliga’s sophomore quarterback, Sabby Measick was credited with 291 completions good for 3,044 yards and 38 touchdowns as a ninth grader.
The First Academy (8-3) at Lakeland Christian (9-2)
TFA scores off a blocked field goal and trails 25-20 with 1:04 to go in the third quarter.
Lakeland scores to up lead to 16-6 at 2:31 of the second quarter.
Lakeland Christian pins TFA back and scores a safety for a 16-6 lead at 4:40 of the second quarter. The Vikings scored at 7:54 of the second quarter to up their lead to 14-6.
Royals who made the 1M playoffs last season under longtime coach Leroy Kinard make their first showing for their new coach Jeff Conoway, who was highly successful in the Arkansas private school ranks.
Orlando Christian Prep (6-5) at Freedom (4-6), 7 pm
OCP led 15-0 at 2:56 of the 1Q.
Class 1M district champ OCP (6-5) has some huge lineman as it takes on a large-class public school.
Hagerty 21, Lake Nona 17 (final)
Hagerty (8-3 in 2022) started 5-0 for the first time in program history last year, then upped that to 6-0 before losing to playoff teams Winter Park, Oviedo and Lake Mary.
MORE GAMES
Check our live scoreboard for results on these games
Horizon (7-3) at Eustis (5-6), 7
Colonial (0-10) at Lyman (7-3), 7
Cypress Creek (7-3*) at Lake Howell (6-4), 7
Lake Brantley (5-6) at Melbourne (9-3), 7
Orlando University (2-8) at Evans (3-7), 7
Titusville Astronaut (2-8) at East River (5-5), 7
Windermere High (2-8) at Tavares (0-10), 7
Hialeah American (2-8) at Harmony (6-5), 7
Liberty (0-10) at Lake Buena Vista (1-9), 7
Haines City (4-4) at St. Cloud (7-3)
Space Coast (1-9) at Winter Springs (0-10), 7
Pine Ridge (0-10) at Celebration (1-9), 7:30
Gateway (2-7) at Wesley Chapel (0-10), 7
Auburndale (5-5) at Orange City University (3-7), 7
Avon Park (5-6) at Poinciana (8-2), 7
Clermont East Ridge (3-7) at Lakeland Tenoroc (1-8), 7
South Lake (0-10) at Lecanto (8-4), 7
Windermere Prep (6-3) at The Master’s Academy (5-4), 7
Bell Creek (2-7) at Foundation Academy (6-3), 7
Cocoa Beach (6-3) at Orangewood Christian (2-8), 7
Daytona Beach Halifax (2-8) at Umatilla (5-5), 7
Gainesville Oak Hall (8-0*) at Mount Dora Christian (6-4*), 7:30
Legacy Charter (6-4) at Vero Beach St. Edward’s (4-4*), 7
Mount Dora (6-4) at Palatka (7-4), 7
Pierson Taylor (1-9) at Cornerstone Charter (5-5), 7
Trinity Prep (1-9) at Lecanto Seven Rivers (7-3), 7
Varsity Content Editor Buddy Collings can be reached by email at bcollings@orlandosentinel.com.
