Monday Morning QB: Five things we learned about West Orange-area teams, Sept. 1, 2023

West Orange- and Southwest Orange-area teams had varying degrees of success Friday, Sept. 1. Here's what we learned from Week Two of the 2023 football season.

1. PANTHERS DEFENSE POSES STRONG FRONT
 Dr. Phillips  defeated the Timber Creek  17-7 Friday, Sept. 1. The Panthers defense held a strong front against the Wolves, accumulating 55 tackles during the game. Senior middle linebacker Alfred Thomas completed 10 total tackles — five  solo tackles and five assisted tackles — while senior middle linebacker Jerard Smith completed nine total tackles — five solo tackles and four assisted tackles. Overall, Dr. Phillips completed three quarterback sacks during the game. 

2. WOLVERINES RUSHING GAME CONTINUES TO IMPRESS
Windermere pummeled St. Joseph Academy Friday, Sept. 1, with a 41-0 win. Senior athlete Isaiah Nell carried the ball seven times for 163 yards (averaging 23.3 yards per carry). In total, the Wolverines carried the ball 14 times for 254 yards. Junior quarterback Bryce Speed went 8-for-17 for 162 yards. On the defensive side of the ball, Windermere completed 54 total tackles, 18 of which were tackle-for-loss. 

3. LIONS REMAIN A THREAT
The Foundation Academy football team defeated Cocoa Beach 57-0 Friday, Sept. 1. Quarterback Michael Dove went 8-for-14 for 160 yards to assist with three touchdowns and carried the ball eight times for 64 yards while scoring two touchdowns. Senior running back J.T. Bronaugh carried the ball six times for 140 yards and scored three touchdowns. On his receiving game, Bronaugh accumulated 75 yards for two touchdown receptions and completed an interception from the safety position. On the defensive side of the ball, linebacker Cole West led the team with 10 tackles — three of which were tackle-for-loss — while kicker Braedyn White went 7-for-8 on P.A.T.s. 

4. ROYALS REMAIN STRONG
The First Academy football team defeated South Lake 21-20 Friday, Sept. 1. Sophomore quarterback Jack McKissock went 12-for-16 for 167 yards. Sophomore running back Ryon Smith carried the ball 16 times for 111 yards. 

5. KNIGHTS DEFENSE GAME EXCELS
Ocoee defeated Wekiva 13-6 Friday, Sept. 1. The Knights defensive game astonished spectators for a second time this season, accumulating 90 total tackles during the game, with sophomore Michael McClenton completing 20 tackles — 17 solo tackles, three assisted tackles and seven tackle-for-loss. Ocoee also completed 11 quarterback sacks during the game, with McClenton completing seven of them and seniors Wadson Dieudonne and Justin Wilson completing two sacks each.