DarterBlue2

It's actually 0-15. In 2003, VB lost to Deerfield Beach in the third round. DB got waxed by Edgewater the following week who lost to Carol City in the title game.

First, there are, as you imply, too many classes and probably too many teams making the playoffs. But this is only part of the problem with respect to competitiveness. Equally important, is the rise of the "super team." This had already been a serious trend over the past decade where, in addition to a few select private schools, some of the public schools in larger metro areas had begun to assemble talent within a ten to twenty mile radius, "borrowing" heavily from other, less successful programs. With the relaxing of student transfer rules by the State's legislature, this trend will only continue. If the goal is to put together a few teams that can compete effectively on a National Stage in out of state match ups, then this works. However, if the goal is to have competitive playoffs in state, it defeats it, and, to a degree this has impacted attendance at the playoffs all the way through the title games. Fans don't want to pay their hard earned money (which has not grown in real terms in decades) to watch their local team get blown out in Orlando or elsewhere. In a sense, high school football is just a microcosm of what has, and continues to happen, in wider American society. For the successful, I am sure this is a great thing. For the rest, probably not so much.

Vero seems to have trouble with really physical teams. You can't win an 8A title or even go deep if that is the case.

Fort Pierce Central was state caliber when the staff you were a part of was there. But for a play here or there, over a two (or was it three) year period, FPC could have made it to the state title game.

Apopka came up short losing 28-7. Despite the score, the defense played a lot better but got worn down in the second half. Unfortunately, the offense did not have enough spark to move the ball consistently against the strong Wekiva defense. This put the defense in bad positions most of the night. Good win by Wekiva. If they can get by Mandarin the day after Thanksgiving, and this is by no means a certainty, they should make the State Title game. We will see what happens.

The truth is that Vero Beach was probably just a decent 8A school. It seems Treasure Coast and Centennial just seemed better than they were because VB was not as good as it seemed on paper. Vero's only really good win this year was against Venice. Perhaps Venice started the season slow, or the match up just suited VB. While DP has probably improved going into the playoffs, I have a hard time believing that they are state caliber this year. Too many losses against teams that were not state caliber. That Vero lost to them, bad officiating or not, is strong evidence that Vero was probably overrated going into the playoffs.

I was not a high school football fan back then. I started watching the game in 1998, the year before my older son began high school. Not debating your argument though. I am sure those were bitter losses for Apopka fans.

Curious data. But is the data really indicative of a trend, though? Yes, 25.27 is a new high. However, we were at 24.07 back in 2013, and reverted to points well within the range over the next two years. Indeed, the 24.76 does not appear aberrant. However, I will agree that the 25.27 does seem like at least an expansion of the range. Perhaps, some team, particularly the ones with tough districts, have "gambled" on the conservative side in their scheduling rather than scheduling tougher competition. Sometimes new regimes produce unanticipated results. On another note, LAZ, sure hope you can make some of the State Title games this year. I feel it would not be the same without your presence.

David Hogg is a dude you need to pay attention to. Will probably be running for President before I croak! Mark my word.

Kind of does not even make sense, either, as if you live in Orlando and are really interested you can go to the game.

Or maybe more. If you assume the LM/Godby game was not a fluke. I personally believe Columbia would put a running clock on Lake Mary if they played at their best.

I think Godby was probably overrated. Exhibit A was their 15-12 (or something like that) win over Lake Mary. Well either the week after or two weeks after, I forget and am too lazy to look it up, Lake Mary struggled mightily to beat an average Lyman team 21-14 (I was at that game and aside from the LM freshman QB, I though the team was very average). Right there, despite Godby's impressive other wins on paper, I had this burning question in the back of my head: how good is Godby, really? My guess is not as good as most thought, and they got exposed for what they were. Look for TC to beat Bolles easily next week.

This game is over. If the score hold up to half time, the running clock will put Palmetto out of its misery early. The great start by Columbus was obviously too much to overcome.

Peter Hayes-Patrick is playing his senior season at Winter Park High.

For one of the first times in recent memory Apopka goes into a game an overwhelming underdog. No we are not always the favorite, but even when not favored, we are usually a live underdog. Well in this game, Apopka is not given much of a chance by those knowledgeable of Florida High School Football. I wish I could say, that they were all wrong, but must admit they are right, at least based on recent form over the latter half of the season, and on the dominant way Wekiva won the first outing a few weeks ago, Wekiva deserves to be the big favorite. Even I must admit that Apopka's paths to victory are limited. However, they are not nonexistent. I believe there is a way. To win this game, certain obvious things will need to happen. Paramount among them are the need to minimize mistakes, and get the running game in gear early. However, to win, I feel Apopka will have to do more. Unless we can find (on our bench) one of: Steve Baylark/Chandler Cox/ or perhaps, Tom Smith, as well as two of, Jeremy Gallon, Jacoryan Davis-Hamilton, Jeremy Wright, Tamaki Jackson, Alan Abrams, Jevric Blocker or Antwan Coley, the team will have to establish a consistent passing game in addition to running the football. For, we don't currently have the explosiveness nor an offensive line complete enough to do it on the ground alone. With that said, I think Jackson Darlington will have to have the game of his career. He will have to find open men consistently whether via slants, pitches or deeper balls. He will have to show enough dexterity and fleetness of foot to keep drives alive when the line breaks down. Absent that, I really don't see Apopka being able to score at least the 21 points they will need to have a shot at winning. On the defensive side of the ball, the front seven will need to have a West Orange equivalent game. They cannot allow the Wekiva QB to have a lot of time to find his receivers and they must stop the running backs at the line of scrimmage early and often. Can this be done? Yes, but it is asking a lot. All I can realistically ask of this Darters team is that the fight from the very beginning to the end of the game. In the fist effort against Wekiva, particularly in the second half, effort was missing. That loss stung mostly because it was right up there with the other two worst losses to my way of thinking in the 20 seasons I have been a fan, namely, a 2003 loss against East Ridge when the kids quit in the second half, and the 2011 playoff loss against Timber Creek. A loss Friday is digestible if the Apopka team fights to the end. Another loss similar to the regular season one, is not reflective of what it is to be a Blue Darter. Remember the team motto: Hoka Hey!!

181p travels, though. I have met him in Orlando and if I remember correctly, you and he were at the Apopka/Manatee semifinal in Apopka.

True. Plant traveled well the first time they won. Not so well after. I find it surprising as I have been to Dad's twice and both times the stands were packed!

I am not complaining. I have no travel costs as the Stadium is about 15 miles from my home!

He would probably be disruptive if anything. Not sure coach J would tolerate his presence!

Funny you say that about Plant City. They brought a "huge" crowd (for soccer in the USA), to Seminole High School for their third round match with the Noles last year. They ended up winning a very close game on their way to the State Title.

It should be interesting. This is the moment of truth for VB.

What?? So the classrooms were filled with football players!?

The Bulls are the historically black high school, together with BTW in Miami Dade. I think this has something to do with the fan base as it goes back to the days of segregation when it was the only option. So, today, there is probably a certain pride in being a bull in Miami. Regarding Armwood, though like Apopka, they are in a large Metro County, like Apopka they are kind of on the outskirts. So, my initial reaction is they should have a larger base, but they don't. Not sure why.

You bet, I would invest heavily in it. I appreciate kicking as Jamaicans love soccer!

Yup, you got that totally right. If I coached, I would not want to replace Rick Darlington at Apopka.