FRIDAY NIGHT ROUNDUP: Everything you need to know from Week Five of high school football

Here's a roundup of Week Five's action from around West Orange and Southwest Orange County. Starting off with the Orange Observer Game of the Week: The West Orange Warriors traveled to Lake Buena Vista High to face the Vipers.

Week Five

Game of the Week: West Orange wins at Lake Buena Vista, 35-7

For the first time since 2014, the West Orange Warriors have started a season by winning their first four games, topping fellow area team Lake Buena Vista High, 35-7.

West Orange was led by its balanced offensive attack, which saw two running backs rush for touchdowns and two quarterbacks throw for touchdowns to three different receivers. Still, Warriors coach Geno Thompson didn't think his team played its best game. 

"I thought we looked very sloppy," he said. "It's hard to motivate yourself when you underestimate someone and I think that's what we did tonight.”

For the Vipers, after coming out of the half down 27-0, they didn’t give up and scored their lone touchdown of the night on a short QB keeper by Stoly Cenemat. Despite the tough loss, LBV coach Brant Peddy thought his players fought hard. 

"When we were down a half, 27-0, we could have quit, but we didn't," Peddy said. "We kept fighting against a really, really good West Orange team”

Find the full game recap and photos here: West Orange football tops Lake Buena Vista, 35-7

UP NEXT: Coming up for the Warriors will be a big Class 7A, District 5 matchup against Apopka High Sept. 27, while the Vipers will travel to Windermere High for its Week Six matchup. 

THURSDAY, SEPT. 19

Windermere Prep (1-2), 18

Trinity Prep (0-4), 14

HIGHLIGHTS: After going into the half down 14-12, the Windermere Prep Lakers took the lead in the third and never looked back; taking home its first win of the 2024 season and first-year coach James Hamilton's first win ever.

UP NEXT: The Lakers will be home again in Week Six as they host Faith Christian at 4 p.m., Sept. 27 

FRIDAY, SEPT. 20

CFCA (2-2), 27

Father Lopez (0-4), 20

HIGHLIGHTS: Central Florida Christian Academy football makes it back-to-back wins under second-year coach Kevin Blackman.

UP NEXT: Next up, the Eagles of Central Florida Christian will be on the road at P.K. Yonge Sept. 27.

Dr. Phillips (4-0), 26

Lake Mary (2-2), 21

HIGHLIGHTS: In a battle of two of the best offenses in Central Florida, it was the Panthers senior quarterback Stanley Anderson-Lofton who led the way for the Dr. Phillips High win by throwing two touchdowns — including a long bomb to receiver Mykel Calixte to take the lead — and running for another. He finished with almost 300 total yards.

On the other side, the young Dr. Phillips defense stepped up big time against Lake Mary’s offense led by Notre Dame commit QB Noah Grubbs. Maliki Wright and Calixte both picked Grubbs off on the Rams' last two possessions to end the game and keep the Panthers undefeated.

UP NEXT: Dr. Phillips travels down the road to face its biggest rivals, the Olympia Titans in Week Six. 

Foundation Academy (1-3), 0

Melbourne Central Catholic (3-1), 44

HIGHLIGHTS: Coming off a win in Week Three and a bye in Week Four, the Lions of Foundation Academy fell to a tough Melbourne Central Catholic team that was led by its QB Brogan McNab.

UP NEXT: The Lions will look to bounce back on the road in Week Six, as they face Holy Trinity Episcopal Sept. 27.

Photo by CHYNNA PACHECO PHOTOGRAPHY LLC

The First Academy (5-0), 41

Atlantic (4-1), 28

HIGHLIGHTS: On the back of a seven-turnover night by its defense, The First Academy added another statement win to its impressive 2024 resume. 

“That is a very explosive offense and I thought our defense did a great job of causing those turnovers,” TFA coach Jeff Conaway said. “We invited a lot of those turnovers, but when they threw them to us and when we forced those fumbles, (it was) huge.”

UP NEXT: The Royals will host its second Class 1A, District 6 matchup of the season as Orlando Christian Prep heads to Warden Stadium Sept. 27. 

Horizon (0-5), 3

Evans (2-2), 50

HIGHLIGHTS: The Hawks fell big on the road — for the third consecutive game — to the Evans High Trojans and remain winless on the season

UP NEXT: Horizon High will be on the road once again, the last of its four consecutive road games, as it heads to Seminole County to face the Winter Springs Bears Sept. 27. 

Ocoee (3-2), 35

Boone (2-3), 31

HIGHLIGHTS: Led by running back Jamarian Robinson, who ran for 237 yards on 24 carries with three touchdowns, the Ocoee Knights squeezed by the Boone Braves and returned to its winning ways after a Week Four loss to Dr. Phillips. Ocoee receiver Joshua Guerrier was another big contributor for the Ocoee offense with eight catches on the night for 123 yards. On defense, linebacker Michael McClenton showed his usual dominance, racking up 17 total tackles with four being for a loss, while Kellen Cidel and Dylan Hoskins both caught an interception in the win.

UP NEXT: The Knights of Ocoee High will head back home to host West Port High Sept. 27 in a Class 7A, District 5 matchup. 

Olympia (2-3), 13

Lake Nona (2-2), 34

HIGHLIGHTS: After a big overtime win over Timber Creek High in Week Four, the young Titans team fell on the road to the Lions of Lake Nona High. 

UP NEXT: Week Six will bring a big bounce-back opportunity for Olympia High, as the Titans welcome undefeated rivals Dr. Phillips High to its home field Sept. 27.

Windermere (5-0), 47

East River (2-3), 6

HIGHLIGHTS: For the fifth consecutive time — sixth, if you include the kickoff classic — the Windermere Wolverines have won a game on the road. Beyond win, Windermere has continued to be dominant in the 2024 season on both sides of the ball, outscoring its opponents by a combined 153 points (181 points score, 28 points allowed).

“(I’m) proud of the players and how they have handled themselves,” coach Riki Smith said. “Adversity builds character and toughness. I told them I love them and we are back to work on Sunday.”

Wolverines quarterback Jack Reilly continued his great start to the season with another four touchdown passes — bringing him up to 14 on the season. Three of those touchdown throws were to do-it-all athlete Bryce Speed. On the other side of the ball, junior defensive back CJ Bronaugh, who’s working his way back into the lineup after missing the early portion of the season due to injury, added to the points total by returning an interception 80 yards for a touchdown. 

UP NEXT: After playing a second game on the road, despite being the home team, Windermere High is finally set to come home to its new on-campus stadium as it hosts Lake Buena Vista for its homecoming game.