While the opening round of ‘Drive To December’ saw many results go as projected, there were a few results that were not what most people would have seen coming. Here is a look at the three biggest upsets from the first round.
1. Timber Creek 40, Apopka 39
Pinkos Forecast: Apopka by 21
FloridaHSFootball.com Prediction: Apopka over Timber Creek
Won By: Timber Creek won by 1
This was a tough one here to swallow. For the first time since 2011, Apopka is not advancing to the second round of the playoffs. What is even crazier behind this is that Apopka was undefeated coming into this game and appeared to have the upper hand, so we thought. Big mistake thinking that. In turn, Timber Creek had a big night and got off to a 14-0 lead on the Blue Darters. In the end, Timber Creek quarterback Brandon Garcia stymied the Blue Darters defense with 376 yards passing and four touchdowns, according to the Orlando Sentinel. The Wolves picked off two passes, in the end, to seal the deal for the upset victory over the No. 1 team in the AP rankings and the No. 2 in Joe Pinkos’ rankings.
2. Treasure Coast 28, Kissimmee Osceola 27
Pinkos Forecast: Osceola by 7
FloridaHSFootball.com Prediction: Osceola over Treasure Coast
Won By: Treasure Coast won by 1
Another game that was decided by one-point and equally another upset as well. To see Osceola go down after reaching the state finals the past two consecutive years tells you that 2016 is not the year of normal. While the Kowboys had gone 10-0 in the regular season, it was not to be to try to make a third straight trip to Camping World Stadium next month. Instead, Treasure Coast came and established some tempo that worked. Combined that with special teams miscues as the TC Palm reported, then it could lead to your team being on the wrong side of the scoreboard. What might be even more surprising? Osceola out-gaining Treasure Coast on yardage as well as first downs. Treasure Coast had nine first downs in the game compared to Osceola’s 13, something most teams would not be able to get away with and win. Combine that with four takeaways by Treasure Coast, that spells out a recipe for an upset.
3. West Gadsden 49, Port St. Joe 40
Pinkos Forecast:Port St. Joe by 9
FloridaHSFootball.com Prediction: Port St. Joe over West Gadsden
Won By: West Gadsden won by 9
Talk about the biggest surprise in Class 1A, this would be it. We had thought that Port St. Joe would be able to at least reach the second round of the playoffs this season after two defeats to Blountstown in district play and the tiebreaker shootout. Instead, we found Port St. Joe one-and-done after West Gadsden played what could have been its toughest game all season. It was the momentum of West Gadsden quarterback Dentarrius Yon and the passing attack that has proved lethal all season for most opponents, according to the Panama City News Herald. That sent Port St. Joe packing, denying the Tiger Sharks a chance to reach Camping World Stadium for the third straight season to compete for the Class 1A state championship.
POLL: Which upset surprised you the most?
