FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL: All the area's Week Three high school football action

Here's all of the Week Three action happening in West Orange and Southwest Orange County. Starting off with the Orange Observer Game of the Week: Foundation Academy hosting Bronson High.

Game of the Week: Foundation Academy (0-2) vs. Bronson High (0-2)

Following a tough loss to open the season against SSAC defending state champions, the Lions of Foundation Academy suffered a heartbreaking loss in Week 3 to Lake Highland Prep, 23-21, on a five-yard touchdown pass as time expired. 

Still, there have been plenty of positives across the Lions two games this season, like a three-touchdown outing from running back Sam Wood against the Highlanders and the emergence of star linebacker Aiden Cubero — who's racked up 21 tackles, one for a loss — and dynamic athlete Daniel Stills — who's averaged 29.7 yards per kick return and caught a touchdown pass. 

Against the Eagles of Bronson High, expect the Lions to try and establish their ground game, not only because they've leaned more on the run this season — 43 carries for 195 yards vs. 32 pass attempts for 165 yards — but because Bronson has allowed 604 total rushing yards and an average 55 points in its first two games.

On defense, keep an eye for Foundation's playmakers  — Cubero, Stills at safety next to Cole Huntley, Stephen Ford on the defensive line and defensive back Steven Grecco.

Read more on Foundation football: Next-man-up mentality leading to emerging stars

Week Three

FRIDAY, SEPT. 6
All games start at 7 p.m.

CFCA (0-1) at Berean Christian (0-3)
Kickoff is set for 4 p.m.

Following a tough loss to an undefeated club last week, the Eagles of Central Florida Christian Academy will look to bounce back as they travel to West Palm Beach to face winless Berean Christian Bulldogs.

Windermere Prep (0-1) at Orangewood Christian (0-3)
Kickoff is set for 4:30 p.m.

Following a tough road loss to Glades Day in Week Two, the Lakers will again be on the road this week as they face off against Orangewood Christian. Expect the Windermere Prep offense to try and take a step forward this week with athlete Peyton Hollern leading the way against a Rams defense that has allowed an average of 44.33 points over its first three games.

Dr. Phillips (1-0) at Apopka (2-0)

After a 54-0 destruction of University High in Week Two, the Panthers will travel to North Orange County to face the undefeated Apopka Blue Darters. Week One saw Apopka hold the Ocoee High offense to zero points — the same Knights offense that put up 53 points on Olympia last week. Watch for DP QB and Middle Tennessee commit Stanley Anderson-Lofton and his arsenal of weapons against this stout Blue Darters defense. 

The First Academy (2-0) vs. Treasure Coast (0-2)

After back-to-back road tests, the Royals come home to Warden Stadium for the first time this season and face a solid Treasure Coast Titans team. The balanced TFA offense — which has run the ball 49 times and thrown it 50 times — will be key against the Titans, who have held their opponents to 15 points per game. 

Look for the Orange Observer's preseason offensive player of the year, WR Demetrice McCray to build on his stellar start to the 2024 season. 

Horizon (0-2) at Wekiva (0-2)

The Hawks of Horizon High will head to North Orange County in search of their first win of the 2024 season against another winless team, the Mustangs of Wekiva High. Look for Horizon to try and establish the run and take a few chances in the passing game, Wekiva gave up 282 yards rushing in Week Two at West Orange. 

One more note, which may favor the Hawks, because the severe weather delays from Week One postponed Wekiva's opening week game against Edgewater, the Mustangs made that game up on Tuesday, Sept. 3. 

Lake Buena Vista (0-1) vs. University (0-2)

The Lake Buena Vista Vipers host the winless University High Cougars — who were shut out last week by fellow Southwest Orange team Dr. Phillips, 54-0 — in their 2024 home opener. Following a tough loss at Colonial High in Week Two, LBV will look to limit turnovers on offense after a pick-six last week ended the Vipers comeback attempt.

Legacy Charter (0-3) at Cornerstone Charter (1-2)

The Eagles of Legacy Charter will look to bounce back after a 42-0 loss to Faith Christian in Week Two, as they travel to Belle Isle to face a Cornerstone Charter team that beat Faith Christian in Week Zero, 37-34. 

Ocoee (1-1) vs. Lake Nona (1-0)

Coming off of a 53-10 home win over Olympia High, the Knights of Ocoee High will host the Lake Nona Lions, who are coming off a big win of their own — 28-3 over Horizon High. Ocoee will look to bring their balanced offense and ferocious defense out again for this Week Three matchup. 

Look for do-it-all athlete and Pitt commit Joshua Guerrier in every phase of the game — receiver, defensive back, linebacker, kick returner and punt returner — and linebacker Michael McClenton to make their imprint on this game.

Keep an eye out on the Knights run game, led by Jamarian Robinson, and how it sets up sophomore quarterback Onrique Archie and the passing game. 

Olympia (1-1) vs. Boone (1-1)

After two road games to start the 2024 season, the Olympia Titans host the Boone Braves for their first home game of the regular season. Despite a tough loss in Week Two, Olympia football showed flashes of the high level of talent its roster has, the key now is to put it all together against a solid Boone High team. 

Look for the Titans' dynamic receiver and return man Ja'Cari Jackson to break a few big plays, while Olympia's long and athletic defensive front seven should give the Braves O-Line all it can handle. 

West Orange (1-0) at Titusville (0-1)

Turnovers, touchdowns and teamwork are the three T's that showed up in the Warriors' dominant 32-14 win over Wekiva High in Week Two. 

This week, West Orange travels east to Titusville to face a winless Terriers team that fell to defending state champions Cocoa High in their opening game of the season. 

The Warriors will lean on its phenomenal offensive line to lead its attack with quarterback Brian Dillard under center and Nehemiah Burgess in the backfield. 

On defense, West Orange's dominant defensive back group led by Ivan Taylor, a Michigan commit, Donovan Lanier, Chakai Scott and Devonte Anderson will be looking to snatch up any passes that come their way. 

Windermere (2-0) at Colonial (1-1)

In their third consecutive road game, the Wolverines of Windermere High will look to continue their dream start to the 2024 season led by quarterback Jack Reilly — who's thrown for six touchdowns — and defensive lineman Daniel Bradley — who's sacked the QB five times and has three tackles for loss.