- December 26, 2024
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With all 12 of the West Orange and Southwest Orange high school football teams hitting the field in Week 2 — after severe weather halted the opening week festivities of most area teams — it's safe to say the season is officially here.
The 11 games involving the area's teams gave me plenty to dive into when cooking up the second edition of the Friday Night Five, but the game played in College Park stood above the rest from the Week 2 slate: The First Academy tops Edgewater.
Let's get into it.
No. 1: TFA's statement win not a surprise
For those not paying close attention to The First Academy this offseason, its 28-24 comeback win on the road over perineal Central Florida powerhouse Edgewater High was shocking, earth-shaking even. But if you've followed along with what the months following coach Jeff Conaway's first season in charge of Royals football have been like, this is hardly a surprise.
Simply put, there are not many rosters in the country with the type of talent on the Royals' team — conservatively, there are at least 20 college-level players scattered across this team.
The offensive line alone, when it's all said and done, could see five to seven players end up playing in college, while the secondary has at least three, the front seven has another four to six and the weapons on offense could see another four to five end up playing in college.
Sure, Edgewater hadn't lost a regular season game since 2021, but this TFA team winning this game — if you really looked at what Conaway and his staff have been building over the course of this offseason — it wouldn't have been a surprise to you.
No. 2: West Orange's all-around win promising for 2024 season
When I say the West Orange Warriors had an all-around performance in its 32-14 win over Wekiva High, this is what I mean: They had three interceptions, one returned for a touchdown, one forced fumble, six sacks, 8.5 tackles for a loss, 407 total yards gained on offense — 282 on the ground and 125 in the air — and four offensive TDs (two rushing and two passing).
To me, this signifies one thing: This team can win in multiple ways and ultimately that's what makes a team dangerous late in the season. 2024 could be a special season for the Warriors.
No. 3: Windermere's special start continues
98-3. That's how much the Wolverines of Windermere High have outscored its opponents — if you include its 35-0 win over Gateway High to start the season. No matter how you slice it, what Windermere coach Riki Smith and his team are doing in Year 3 of his tenure is impressive.
On offense, the Wolverines have been balanced in its two regular-season games throwing the rock 48 times compared to 46 rushes for a combined 817 yards with nine touchdowns. While the defense has stifled its opposition, recording nine sacks, 16 tackles for a loss and forcing four fumbles.
All signs point to Windermere continuing this type of performance this week, as the Wolverines travel to Colonial for its last road game before opening its new on-campus stadium in Week 4.
No. 4: Ocoee's run game helping young QB's development
Following a 10-0 loss to Apopka High, the Ocoee Knights' offense bounced back big time in a 53-10 win over Olympia High thanks in large part to its sensational running game. Led by Jamarian Robinson, who rushed for 79 yards with two TDs, the Knights ran for a total of four touchdowns and 121 total yards.
Ocoee's ability to establish the run early and often helped its sophomore quarterback have a big game in his second start for the Knights. Onrique Archie threw for 230 yards on 13-of-22 passing with three touchdowns on the night.
According to Knights coach Buck Gurley, the offense goes through the running backs and when they play well, it opens up the passing game like those in attendance saw against the Titans.
No. 5: Dr. Phillips wins big, sets up big Apopka matchup
Dr. Phillips High winning big on the road at University High isn't a surprise. It's exactly what most of us thought the Panthers were capable of, even what is expected of coach Rodney Wells' bunch.
This confirmation doesn't really teach me anything new, it does, however, justify my excitement for DP's matchup this week against an undefeated Apopka High team that shut down what we saw in Week 2 is a potent Ocoee offense.
Will the Blue Darters do the same to an experienced Panthers' offense or will DP QB Stanley Anderson-Lofton and Co. be able to score points on the vaunted Apopka defense?
