Central Florida schools ready for big district battle

WINTER PARK, FLORIDA – A lot will be on the line Thursday and Friday nights when Central Florida football teams go head-to-head in big district battles.

Things get really interesting in Class 4M (Metro), the biggest of the classes in the Florida High School Athletic Association. Winter Park will be looking to clinch a district championship, while Timber Creek, West Orange, Olympia, Ocoee and Apopka look to either force a tie for first or move into title contention with victories.

Smaller-class schools like Bishop Moore also will be looking to win district titles this week.

Here is a sneak peek at some of the area’s biggest games:

GAME OF THE WEEK

Timber Creek (4-4, 2-1) at Winter Park (7-1, 3-0), Thursday, 7 pm

The Wolves face a daunting task at Winter Park, a loaded team that can win the District 3 title with a victory. But they have beaten the Wildcats before in big games. Timber Creek has won two of the last three showdowns, including 9-7 last year. If the Wolves win, they force a three-way tie for the district title with Hagerty and improve their chances for a top 8 finish in the FHSAA Power Rankings, which determine postseason placement.

Four district champions and four at-large qualifiers from each region earn berths to the playoffs, which begin in November.

“They are very good on both sides of the ball and are well-coached,” said Timber Creek coach Jim Buckridge. “We would have to play error-free football to beat them. Their skill kids are some of the best in the Central Florida area.”

Winter Park is led by quarterback Aidan Warner (1,094 yards, 15 touchdowns), wide receiver Izaiah Jean-Baptiste (456 yards, seven TDs), running back Amaris Shaw (612 yards, six TDs), linebacker Parker Clem (45 tackles) and defensive backs Torian Roberts and Hudson Gibbs (two interceptions each).

“(Thursday) is a big game for us,” said Roberts. “After taking a tough loss last year to this team in the championship, it really did something to us and now we are going to have to play with more of an edge.

“We don’t plan on making it a close game at all,” Roberts said, “but we are going to have to show it.”

Timber Creek likes to throw it all over the yard with quarterback Aaron Williams (1,238 yards passing, 12 TDs) and wide receiver Marcus Kral (481 yards, five TDs). Running back Nathaniel Hull (302 yards rushing, 3 TDs) and defensive back Alejandro Bello (two interceptions) also are playing well for the Wolves.

“I think it’s going to be a great game,” Kral said. “I’m pretty excited. We just had a bye week, so we’ve had some extra time to recover and clean up on some mistakes. I think if we come ready to play and everybody is locked in with some energy, then we can do some things out there.”

Winter Park certainly is not taking Timber Creek for granted as the Wolves have played the likes of Boone, Oviedo and Edgewater, all of whom have won district championships this season.

“They’re a lot better than their record indicates,” said Winter Park assistant coach Chris Hoats. “They have great skill players, always well-coached. They also have one of the best running backs in the area and a defense that plays really hard. We’re gonna have to be sharp on our end,”

Olympia (5-3, 2-1) at West Orange (4-3, 2-0), Thursday, 7 pm

This all-Orlando battle pits two schools fighting for a playoff berth out of Class 4M-5 and for the white picket fence, a trophy given to the winner of this annual game known as the “Backyard Bowl.”

‘This trophy started back in 2001 when Olympia was built as a relief school off of West Orange and DP (Dr. Phillips),” said West Orange coach and alum Geno Thompson. “DP was the first school built to relieve West Orange and that trophy is called the “Ole Orange Crate” because the only thing separating the two schools was orange groves.

“I actually played in the “Backyard Bowl” in 2001 and 2002 because when (West Orange) was split, you ended up playing against former teammates/brothers who shared the field with you the previous year; not as common as it is today,” Thompson said.

West Orange can set itself up for a district title with a win against the Titans, who have won three in a row. The Warriors still have to play Ocoee (6-2, 2-0) on Monday in what likely will be for the district championship but need a win to get them there.

The Warriors are led by wide receiver Jordyn Bridgewater (317 yards receiving, four TDs), running back Jessie Shannon, linebacker Noah Nixon, defensive tackle Chris Ficka, and defensive back Jordan Castell, a Florida commit.

Olympia is led by quarterback Josh Gainous (832 yards passing, 10 TDs), wide receiver Xavier Tucker, running back Shazarr Roberts, and defensive backs Joey Evans and Jalon Thompson.

“Honestly, we are just focusing on getting better every week,” said Gainous, “no matter who the opponent is. We’ve practiced hard, our coaches push us and we know it will pay off.

“(Thursday) is a big game and I know me and my brothers are ready to go out there and perform,” Gainous said. “I’ve been looking forward to this game all season and it should be a great game.”

Thompson said Olympia is another quality opponent for West Orange this season.

“Their quarterback has an impressive arm and they have some top-notch receivers to do some damage,” Thompson said. “Their defense has some playmakers, as well.

“We hope to limit our mistakes and be physical up front on both sides of the ball,” Thompson said. “We got to get the ball in our playmakers’ hands and let them do what they do best. Olympia is a great program. We are looking forward to Thursday night.”

Ocoee (6-2, 2-0) at Dr. Phillips (3-5, 1-2), Thursday, 7 pm

The Knights have won six of their last seven games and appear poised to play West Orange for the 4M-5 title on Halloween, but they face a DP team that is accustomed to big games and championships.

Ocoee is led by star quarterback Darien Wharton (1,246 yards, 17 TDs), running back Keyondray Jones (949 yards, eight TDs), wide receiver Asaad Waseem (766 yards, 10 TDs), defensive end Calvin Smith, and defensive back Acetron Ealey (four interceptions).

“My thoughts on the DP game are we need to work hard mentally and physically and do what coach has been telling us to do all week during practice,” Wharton said. “We have to set the tone early so that these DP boys know that we are not playing.

“Also, we can’t come out sloppy because this team is just not gonna come in this game and lay down for us,” Wharton said. “Ocoee got to go all gas, no brakes. We are working every day!”

Seminole (7-1, 2-0) at Lake Mary (5-2, 1-2), Friday, 7 pm

This Class 4M-2 showdown should bring in one of the biggest crowds of the season. Both schools are jockeying for playoff position in the FHSAA Power Rankings.

Lake Mary has the most to lose in this game as Seminole can still fall in this game and win the district championship next week with a win against Apopka. District champions earn automatic berths to the playoffs.

Seminole has received stellar play from starting quarterback Luke Rucker, a Florida Atlantic commit; sophomore backup quarterback David Parks; wide receivers Michael Key and Goldie Lawrence, the latter of whom is an FSU commit; running back Rory Thomas; and a stingy defense.

Lake Mary has rising star freshman quarterback Noah Grubbs, running back Manquez Lang, wide receiver Caden Harshbarger, and a tough defense.

Evans (2-6, 1-2) at Apopka (5-2, 2-0), Friday, 7 pm

Apopka coach Jeff Rolson has the Blue Darters right where he wants them heading into the final weeks of the regular season.

A win in this Class 4M-2 game puts Apopka into a district title showdown with state power Seminole next week.

The Blue Darters are led by running back Zeldrick Roberts and defensive star Rashad Watson. Evans is led by fleet-footed dual-threat quarterback Chris Peterson.

Bishop Moore (5-3, 0-0) at Lake Buena Vista (0-8, 0-0), Thursday, 7 pm

The red-hot Hornets can win the Class 2M-4 title with a win against Lake Buena Vista as they are the only two teams in the district. But Bishop Moore, which has won three straight, faces a Lake Buena Vista team that has played in five games decided by seven points or less.

Bishop Moore is led by quarterback Riley Willis, running back Heath Hedrick, and star linebacker Drew Spinogatti.

Mount Dora (6-2, 2-0) at Eustis (3-4, 1-0), Friday, 7 pm

The Hurricanes on a roll with a six-game win streak and can capture the Class 2S (Suburban), District 10 title with a victory. They are led by star running back Dante Johnson-Turner, who has rushed for more than 1,500 yards and 23 TDs.

Fort Myers-Canterbury (5-1) at Lake Highland Prep (7-0), Friday, 7 pm

The red-hot Highlanders, who have won 18 straight and are the defending Sunshine State Athletic Conference (SSAC) Class AAAA state champions, open postseason play in the South Division bracket.

Lake Highland is led by running back Romelo Ware and defensive back Nicholas Collins.

Week 10 Central Florida Football schedule

All games start at 7 pm unless otherwise indicated

Thursday, Oct. 27

Timber Creek at Winter Park

Ocoee at Dr. Phillips

Olympia at West Orange

Lake Howell at East River

Evans at Apopka

DeLand at New Smyrna Beach

Cypress Creek at Freedom

Colonial at Orlando University

Bishop Moore at Lake Buena Vista

Friday, Oct. 28

Seminole at Lake Mary

Mount Dora at Eustis

Horizon at Jones

Tohopekaliga at Kissimmee Osceola

Oviedo at Winter Springs

Hagerty at Port Orange Spruce Creek

Port St. Lucie Centennial at Lake Brantley

Boone at Oak Ridge

Orlando Christian Prep at Trinity Prep

Groveland South Lake at Clermont East Ridge

Celebration at St. Cloud

Deltona Pine Ridge at Deltona

West Oaks at Foundation Academy

Windermere Prep at Orangewood Christian

The Villages at Umatilla

Palm Bay Heritage at Harmony

Winter Haven Akelynn’s Angels at The First Academy

Winter Haven Ambassadors Christian at Poinciana

Lake Nona at Winter Haven

Kissimmee Gateway at Davenport

Tavares at Belleview

Kissimmee Liberty at Eagle Lake-Lake Region

First Academy-Leesburg at West Palm Beach Berean

Deltona Trinity at Cornerstone Charter

Faith Christian at Jacksonville Eagle’s View

Clermont Real Life Christian Academy at Sarasota Christian

Legacy Charter at Jacksonville Bishop Snyder

Gainesville Oak Hall at Central Florida Christian

Mount Dora Christian at The Master’s Academy, Oviedo

Fort Myers Canterbury at Lake Highland Prep

Titusville at Astronaut (Titusville)

Jensen Beach at Bayside

Cocoa at Palm Bay

Eau Gallie at Rockledge

Palm Bay-Heritage at Harmony

Holy Trinity Episcopal at Melbourne Central Catholic

Viera at Melbourne

Satellite at Merritt Island

Cocoa Beach at Jacksonville Paxson

Merritt Island Christian at Kissimmee City of Life Christian

Lake Mary Prep at West Melbourne Calvary Chapel

Port St. Lucie Treasure Coast at Vero Beach

Vero Beach-St. Edward’s at Sarasota Out-of-Door Academy, 6 pm

Clearwater American Collegiate Academy at Sebastian River

Eastland Christian at The Master’s Academy-Vero Beach