Spring Football 101: What to know about your favorite West, Southwest Orange football team this spring

WEST ORANGE It may only be “the spring” — the culmination of which results in just one game — but football nevertheless is back.

Spring football practice began April 25 and the spring season will run through the end of May. Each team is afforded 20 practice sessions, including its spring game, with area teams playing games  between May 13 and May 27.

For programs around the coverage area, the spring is a chance to get a good look at how rosters are shaping up for the fall season after the departure of each program’s respective senior class.

Here is a look at each local program’s spring outlook, including date, time and opponent for the spring game.

DR. PHILLIPS PANTHERS

SPRING GAME: 7 p.m. Thursday, May 19, vs. Bishop Moore

2015 RECORD: 9-4

OUTLOOK: Even with a few unexpected departures due to transfer, the Panthers still are returning one of the strongest rosters in the state — particularly their rising senior class. Expect Dr. Phillips’ spring practices to be a place for college coaches to see and be seen as scouts from around the nation flock to take in the Panthers’ talented skill players. Consistency in offense will be something to look for in Dr. Phillips’ spring game against Bishop Moore. It is one of the most anticipated spring contests in Central Florida — the Hornets are fresh off winning the Class 5A state title last fall.

OCOEE KNIGHTS

SPRING GAME: 7 p.m. Friday, May 20, at University (Orlando)

2015 RECORD: 6-4

OUTLOOK: In coach Ben Bullock’s first season, the Knights experienced a huge turnaround and tripled their win total from 2014 (2), nearly making the playoffs in the process. Some of the players that catalyzed that turnaround were seniors who are now readying for graduation, but the Knights do have a nice young core — especially on the defensive side of the ball. Expect Ocoee to utilize speed on both sides of the ball to make up for a lack of size, with the most intriguing element of the spring being the battle at quarterback.

OLYMPIA TITANS

SPRING GAME: 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 25, vs. Wekiva

2015 RECORD: 7-4

OUTLOOK: In coach Kyle Hayes’ first season leading the Titans, the program experienced a remarkable turnaround from one win in 2014 to seven in 2015. Although there was a large senior class that played a role in this success, key players such as rising junior quarterback Joe Milton and rising senior wide receiver Bradley Dos Santos will be back, along with a number of other speedy skill players. Olympia’s offense was often stagnant in 2015, offsetting a formidable defense, so look for the Titans to improve on that side of the ball this spring.

WEST ORANGE WARRIORS

SPRING GAME: 7 p.m. Friday, May 27, vs. Gainesville

2015 RECORD: 12-2

OUTLOOK: Graduating a huge — and talented — senior class would figure to set the Warriors back after a historic season that ended in the state semifinal. Except, maybe it won’t. Wekiva transfer Trey McGee will compete for the starting job at quarterback to replace Woody Barrett, and the Warriors have a deceptive number of talented underclassmen who were waiting in the wings from 2015 — some of whom were on a junior varsity squad that played well and finished with a 5-2-1 record. One can only expect that new playmakers will emerge by spring’s end.

CFCA

SPRING GAME: Jamboree vs. TFA-Leesburg and Florida School for the Deaf

2015 RECORD: 7-3

OUTLOOK: The young men on the Eagles’ roster will, for a fourth time in as many years, be acclimating to a new head coach. Much of CFCA’s success will depend on how many returners it has from a very talented, very young roster that made a strong impression in 2015. If the eventual new hire for the Eagles can make a good impression and keep some of those talented underclassmen on campus, it could go a long way toward retaining the momentum created last season.

FOUNDATION ACADEMY LIONS

SPRING GAME: 7 p.m. Friday, May 13, vs. Seffner Christian 

2015 RECORD: 8-4

OUTLOOK: Foundation had its best season ever in 2015 and, like West Orange, seniors were a big part of that. But then again, so were several talented underclassmen, including Lester Axson and Luis Rodriguez. Foundation needs someone to emerge as a capable quarterback this spring to help facilitate getting the ball to its talented playmakers.

LEGACY CHARTER

SPRING GAME: 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 20, at Bradenton Christian

2015 RECORD: 6-4

OUTLOOK: Legacy, which operates with a thin roster in the fall, will have to make the most of an even thinner roster during the spring. On the positive side, both components of the Eagles’ dynamic dual-quarterback attack from 2015 are back in Hilton Lamprecht and Gehrig Chambless. It is always fun to observe the creative ways head coach Jarett Wiggers reinvents his team each season based on its personnel. 

WINDERMERE PREP LAKERS

SPRING GAME: 4 p.m. Thursday, May 19 vs. Berean Christian

2015 RECORD: 7-3

OUTLOOK: With the graduation of the Class of 2016, Windermere Prep has pretty much seen all of the key components of its 2014 SSAC Championship team move on — but the cupboard isn't bare. Do-it-all rising senior Mitchell Darrow will step into the starting quarterback role and rising sophomore Mason Russell will continue on as a bruising fullback for the Lakers. It will be interesting to see how coach Jacob Doss shapes the offense for the Lakers — in 2014, Windermere Prep ran the ball very well but relied heavily on passing in 2015. If the Lakers can strike more of a balance and keep opposing teams on their toes, it could lead to a return to the top of the SSAC this fall.