DarterBlue2

Well even though he had a bad game, he still took his talents far. For that he is to be commended!

If you look at South Florida, for example, you have a few powerhouse teams, for example 6A, 16. If all the players involved went to their zoned schools, you would still have a powerhouse or two, but also a lot of the other schools would be a bit better and the powerhouse teams a bit worse. In large, urban areas there are not the usual geographic obstacles to transfers. The same would apply to Jax, Orlando and Tampa.

Did he attend Batram Trail? I am trying to figure out the title of your topic.

Free agency leads to the best players concentrating themselves where they think their services will be "best rewarded," whatever that means. In free, totally unfettered markets, you always tend to end up with monopoly situations.

It's on the other side of the Bay. Kinda North West of downtown Tampa. Peezy 28, who is a cool guy is from near there.

181pl, you are probably wasting your time with this individual. The week of the first playoff game he was bemoaning the fact that in the third round Viera would have to travel to Lakeland since they were, unfairly, not the number 1 seed in the region. He was totally overlooking both his first round opponent and Plant in doing so, by automatically assuming Viera would get to the third round. Now don't get me wrong, Viera is a very good team. But as you and I both know you don't overlook any playoff team, as on any given night ... Anyway, the point I am making is that whatever you say will be overlooked because Viera is a victim here and no facts, fake news or real news will negate that fact ... for in his mind, Viera was the best team in 7A and winning the state title was a mere formality ...

I have not seen Riverview either. But I believe they do rely primarily on running the football. Apopka had quite a bit of success running the football against DP. I don't know whether Riverview's running game can match Apopka's, though. At its best, Wekiva would probably overwhelm WP at this stage. However, in their last 4 games they have been all over the map. I am just not sure how they will play next Friday, what with he holiday and all. I believe WP will be at its best. Both teams have experienced coaching staffs. Somehow I feel WP's staff will have its kids better prepared. Both outcomes should be interesting. At this stage the Columbus/Miami High winner is probably the favorite to represent the South bracket. I do find Western's run to be inspiring, though. So, emotionally I am rooting for them to make it to Orlando. Regardless of which two teams play in the final, at this stage the title is wide open.

So it's Regional Finals time. And, I am hoping that the Orlando area (in this case Orange County only), can make it an all Orlando Semifinal next week giving us a guaranteed state finals berth. Wekiva at Winter Park: This game will be a battle between a very, very good defense attempting to shut down a creative offense. In the first meeting earlier in the season Winter Park triumphed in a defensive battle 10-6, scoring late in the forth quarter on a Wekiva tournover. However, a lot has happened since then. Specifically, Wekiva has a different individual at quarterback and this has led to a pickup in their scoring output. Winter Park comes into the game at 11-0 while Wekiva is 11-1 with their only loss being the regular season meeting with Winter Park. Wekiva will win if: It plays at the level it did against Lake Mary and Apopka as I believe they have the ability to score enough points to make it very difficult for Winter Park to match them given their stellar defense. It minimizes turnovers. It can hold Winter Park to 17 or fewer points. Winter Park will win if: It can score more than 28. Even at its best, I don't think Wekiva's offense is good for more than 28 against Winter Park. It can force turnovers. If Wekiva plays like it did against Lake Nona (which was a very average playoff team) or in the first half against Boone. I am going to go with Winter Park by 3 or less in a hard fought game. I think home field advantage and more playoff experience will triumph over the more athletic, but less experienced team. Final score around Winter Park 21 Wekiva 20. Dr. Phillips at Sarasota Riverview: This game will be a rematch of a first round playoff game that DP won easily last year. However, based on both their regular season performance and on the win against Vero Beach this Friday, it is pretty clear that Riverview is a better team this year than last. I would rate this year's DP team as about equal to last year's with the exception that I preferred last year's defense slightly. I think this game will be a nail biter and in the end I think it comes down to DP's more recent deep playoff experience. I am going with DP by 1 to 3 points. I think the final score will be in the region of: Dr. Phillips 28 Sarasota Riverview 26. Both of the above games should be tight and it would not surprise me to see any of these four teams in the final 4 the following week.

Winter Park was one block in the back (a needless penalty as Cory Rabizinski was 20 plus yards ahead of the penalty on the way to the end zone) away from beating Palm Beach Gardens in the 2005 State Semifinal. WP ended up losing the game 10-7, as PBG kicked a field goal to break the tie as time expired. PBG went on crush Deerfield Beach the following week in the title game. I concur. Wekiva's defense is elite. Their offense is good but not elite. The winner of the Wekiva/Winter Park game has a good shot at beating the winner of DP/Riverview, and given the way the 8A South Bracket seems to be going, would probably have a decent shot in the State Title game also.

You were prescient with that call. Things seemed to have worked out exactly as you anticipated!

You said neither was any good. Not sure you used the word, suck. Wekiva actually has a great defense. WP's defense is not as good, but they have a couple offensive weapons Wekiva could use. Wekiva plus three or four WP players would win the 8A title this year. 8A is not near the strongest divisions in the state this year.

Winter Park took down Apopka 34-24 tonight. The margin and outcome were about right. WP made big plays when they had to and took advantage of this Apopka team's defensive weaknesses.

Stay warm, man!

No, he is clairvoyant!

Miami High and maybe Venice. I think all the other favorites you listed win.

Like you said, I hope she was not forced out, as I feel, based on performance, she deserved at least another year.

This is nuts! There are reasons to shoot someone. But these are few and far between. Rooting for a rival of yours is certainly not one!

It will be a close game. But Vero moves on for at least another week.

I think the Bucs have a chance!

If I were in South Florida, I would be tempted to make the Western vs Palm Beach Central game just because Western is a feel good story. I will be going to the Apopka vs Winter Park game. But I think Dr. Phillips vs Osceola is a good alternative. Edgewater vs Flemming Island is also interesting.

Your margin in the DP game looks too wide. Osceola found a way to win the KOC even if DP gave them trouble. It could happen again.

Wekiva 21 Boone 7 - Boone does not have enough offense to win Apopka 35 Winter Park 31 - Homer pick on my part. See this as a 50/50 game Osceola 28 Dr. Phillips 27 - Another 50/50 game. I give Osceola the home field edge. Vero Beach 28 Riverview 24 - Vero Beach has a lot of weapons. Riverview seems decent but I think VB wins at home.

Picks in bold

I agree. It could be more as others have posted that Rockledge's QB was playing hurt last week.

Had Jones stayed in 4a, they would have had a chance. To win a title out of Central Florida you have to be in the right class at the right time. 5A was always going to be one of the two most competitive classes and they drew the second or third toughest team in the first round.