- January 15, 2025
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Contrary to popular belief, other games went on this past Friday in addition to the epic throwdown between West Orange and Dr. Phillips — and, for the most part, Week Three was pretty good to area teams. Here are my five biggest takeaways from last week’s results on the gridiron:
If I told you before the season that, through three weeks, the coverage area would have two undefeated teams, that would probably have sounded reasonable. You might have surmised that one of them would be whomever won the WO-DP matchup (and you’d be correct!).
But how many people would have penciled in Legacy as the other? Coach Jarrett Wiggers is getting the most from a thin roster that has a few very talented skill players leading the way.
Having won 35-consecutive regular season games prior to last week’s Ol’ Orange Crate Game, Dr. Phillips could have set a Central Florida record for consecutive regular season wins with a victory over the Warriors — and it nearly did.
But, here’s the thing, head coach Rodney Wells and his players really aren’t concerned with the regular season; they’ve been there, done that. Although the Panthers were dejected following a heartbreaking loss to West Orange, Wells knows his team will be better for it as it prepares for what matters most — district play and the state playoffs. He schedule this way for a reason.
“The main goal is not now, it’s not the regular season … (going 10-0) has never been a goal of mine,” Wells said afterward, also complimenting the game’s atmosphere. “You get better after a loss in the playoffs but you can’t do anything about it. So, now, we got a loss in the regular season and we can go back and watch the film.”
Coach Brad Lord has faith that his boys can overcome a brutal opening stretch, but acknowledges they may not be able to do so if they don’t stop hurting themselves.
“We have to become more consistent,” Lord said following a 20-0 loss to Carrollwood Day. “We are 0-3 and have made mistakes against very good teams. We can't keep shooting ourselves in the foot.”
Foundation’s offense has moved the ball consistently in all three games, even against West Orange in Week One, and Gabe Walker rushed for 112 yards in Week Three. The problem has been converting drives to points — a problem the Lions had better solve quick with another tough test looming in St. Pete’s Northside Christian.
Olympia might be one of those rare campuses where the defensive players are more popular than the guys on offense.
Both of the Titans’ wins have been anchored by standout defensive performances — whether it was Doug Howard’s blocked punt, fumble recovery and defensive touchdown in Week Two or safety Jeff James’ three interceptions in Week Three.
What’s also encouraging is that, while Week Two’s scoring was mostly done by Olympia’s defense, the Titans did get their offense going against Colonial and hopefully can continue to build on that side of the ball ahead of district play.
West Orange coach Bob Head said it best following his team’s big win over DP on Sept. 11.
“(Ben Bollinger) had 17 tackles last week — he’s a baller,” Head said. “He’s a gamer. He’s a Division I football player that somebody needs to get on.”
Indeed, the senior safety for the Warriors is having a breakout season so far, including the win-sealing interception against the Panthers. It is important for West Orange, which now has another defensive star alongside UNC-commit Nolan DeFranco and veteran defensive back Jacquez Federick.
