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

Here's all of the Week Four high school football action happening in West Orange and Southwest Orange County. Starting with the Orange Observer Game of the Week: The Panthers of Dr. Phillips High host the Ocoee Knights.

Game of the Week: Dr. Phillips (2-0) vs. Ocoee (2-1)

In just week four of the high school football season, this matchup between two area powerhouse programs could be the game of the year when it's all said and done. 

With stars at every level for both teams, this is going be a strength-on-strength type of matchup throughout the night and should give us all a gauge of how good either team is, as we approach the mid-way point of the regular season. 

The most interesting matchup to keep an eye on will be the DP passing attack, led by QB Stanley Anderson-Lofton and his arsenal of weapons, against the Ocoee secondary/pass rush. The Knights' defensive back group is littered with college-level talent and its pass rush, with West Florida commit Diego De Pina and 2023 Orange Observer Player of the Year Michael McClenton leading the way, is one of the most disruptive in the area. 

Will the experienced Panthers' line be able to give Anderson-Lofton enough time to find his playmakers and will its versatile playmaker group be able to create the space needed against the lockdown Ocoee defensive backfield? 

This will be a must-watch game. 

Week Four

Friday, Sept. 13

All games start at 7 p.m.

The First Academy (3-0) at Melbourne Central Catholic (2-0)

After a big win in a shortened home opener last week, the Royals again will be on the road against another tough opponent in Melbourne Central Catholic. TFA wide receiver Demetrice McCray should again be a big factor in this game, as QB Salomon Georges Jr.'s favorite target — He's caught 14 passes for 362 yards with five touchdowns so far this season.

Horizon (0-3) at Forest (0-3)

The Hawks of Horizon High will travel to Forest High for their first Class 6A, District 6 matchup of the season — and the second of four consecutive road games. It's no secret what the Hawks will try to do on the field, look for running back Kaio Oliveira to lead its rushing attack.

Lake Buena Vista (0-1) at Oak Ridge (2-1)

With its Week Three game suspended in the third quarter and Week One game postponed to October, the Lake Buena Vista Vipers have only played one complete game this season — a Week Two loss at Colonial High. At this point, the biggest thing to hope for in this road game at Oak Ridge High is just for a non-weather-effected game for the young Vipers team to get that game experience that's been taken away this season. 

Legacy Charter (0-4) vs. Trinity Prep (0-2)

The Eagles host Trinity Prep for its Week Four game, following a tough loss last week to Cornerstone Charter. Look for Legacy linebacker Jake Threadgill to lead the defense, he has 18 tackles (three for a loss) and three sacks on the season. 

Olympia (1-2) vs. Timber Creek (1-2)

Following a pair of difficult losses, the Titans will look to bounce back against visiting Timber Creek High in this Week Four matchup. Olympia's front seven, led by linebacker Aiden Harris, will look to slow down the Wolves' balanced offensive attack (62 rush attempts to 59 passes on the season), while Titans receiver Ja'Cari Jackson will look to build on his flashes of brilliance so far this season.

West Orange (2-0) vs. Boone (2-1)

Coming off of an emotional comeback win at Titusville High, the Warriors of West Orange High will look to move to 3-0 as they host the Braves of Boone High. The matchup to watch will be the West Orange secondary against Boone receiver and Arizona commit Isaiah Mizell. No matter who lines up against Mizell — whether it's Michigan commit Ivan Taylor, Ball State commit Donovan Lanier, three-star Devonte Anderson (who has offers from Florida, Michigan State and others) or Chakai Scott (who has an offer from UMass) — expect to see a Saturday football type matchup in the passing game.

Windermere (3-0) vs. University (0-2)

With its stadium-opening matchup postponed, Windermere will host University High in its first game of the 2024 season as the home team, but at Ocoee High's home field. The excitement surrounding the first on-campus home game will surely have led to some disappointment from the Wolverines and their fanbase but with coach Riki Smith's "keep the main thing the main thing" mentality, expect Windermere to be ready to play.

Saturday, Sept. 14

CFCA (0-2) vs. Marco Island (1-1) — Kick-off set for 5 p.m.

After the Eagles of Central Florida Christian Academy almost pulled off the Week Three win at Berean Christian, they come back home for a rare Saturday game to face Marco Island Academy. Look for athlete Mason Mathis — who leads the team with 283 total yards — to do it all for the Eagles on offense and receiver Davy Murphy to be the top target for both CFCA QBs, Mathis and Dominic McCrory.