West, Southwest Orange's Week 11 high school football schedule

What was originally set to be the final week of regular season games for the area's eight FHSAA schools, Week 11 is now the penultimate slate of the 2024 regular season games, with the SSAA teams starting their postseason play.

To get you set for the Nov. 1 games, Orange Observer Sports Editor Sam Albuquerque gives you a few notes from each matchup to watch out for. 

Let's get into it. 

Game of the Week: Windermere (9-0) at Horizon (1-8)

The 2024 edition of the Battle of the Groves is for far more than just the Smudge Pot trophy. Windermere High football has a perfect season on the line and the chance to beat its rival Horizon High for the first time in program history. 

For the Wolverines, keep an eye on its effective pass game led by senior quarterback Jack Reilly. He's thrown for 1,912 yards with 23 touchdowns through nine games, often finding his plethora of receivers — Bryce Speed, Lane Frost, Shawn Falahpour and Jaylen Davis. In the run game watch for senior Octavio Ulloa, who has been effective filling in at tailback these past few weeks. 

On the Horizon side, the Hawks will run the ball often. Watch for senior Emmanuel Blackwell to be a focal point of their offensive attack, as he led the rushing attack in Horizon's Week 10 game. 

Week 11

FRIDAY, NOV. 1
7 p.m. kickoffs

Dr. Phillips (7-1) vs. West Orange (8-1)

In one of the oldest rivalry games in West, Southwest Orange County — the Ole Orange Crate game — these two area powers will face off in a proper measuring stick game and us, the fans, will learn a little bit more about just how good these two teams are. 

Watch for the Panthers' defense against West Orange's mobile quarterback Brian Dillard. The do-it-all sophomore can hurt the opposition with his legs. On offense for DP, the Panthers should try to establish the run by leaning on their experienced offensive line and stable of running backs. 

The First Academy (8-1) at Calvary Christian (5-2)

In its final game of the regular season, the area's top-ranked team will look to continue to build a head of steam for the Class 1A playoffs. 

Royals quarterback Salomon Georges Jr. leads the TFA passing attack with 2,205 yards and 20 TDs, while running back Dane Thompkins has rushed for 802 yards with 15 touchdowns. 

That balanced offensive attack will be huge in this game. 

No. 1 Foundation Academy (4-4) vs. No. 4 Bishop Snyder (5-4)
First round of SSAA 5A Playoffs

After a season of growth for this young Lions team, Foundation has won three of its last four games and earned the No. 1 seed in the playoffs. 

The Lions will look to establish the run with sophomore running back Sam Wood, while quarterback Braydon Marks is coming off his best passing performance of the season — throwing three touchdowns with 157 passing yards. 

Foundation's defense will look to slow down the Cardinals' passing game led by senior QB John Bishop, who has thrown for 17 touchdowns this season.

Lake Buena Vista (2-6) at Liberty (2-6)

The Vipers' defense has played extremely well in the past three weeks, holding their opponents to an average of 12 points a game. Watch for senior defensive lineman Cameron Whitten, who leads Lake Buena Vista in tackles for loss, to be in the Liberty High backfield all night. 

Ocoee (5-4) vs. Jones (8-0)

The Knights welcome one of the best teams in the state to its home in Week 11. The Jones Tigers are led by QB Dereon Coleman, a Miami commit; and receivers Vernell Brown III, a Florida commit, and former West Orange High player Larry Miles. 

Olympia (4-5) vs. Winter Park (5-3)

The Titans will look to continue their momentum from a big district win last week in their last game of the regular season. Led by two-star Ja'Cari Jackson on the outside at cornerback and receiver, and its run game on the inside, Olympia has a chance to finish a season where it lost 21 of 22 starters from the prior season with a .500 record.