DarterBlue2

Some video of the half played between Norland and Apopka. It covers all highlights and most of the game. The ending, of course, was unsatisfactory; I wish it had been completed.

I agree. I am not overly impressed with IMG either. For all the resources they put into their starting lineup, they are beatable!

For the kids on the iMG first team, particularly the starters, the tuition is little to nothing. It is used as a way to attract students who pay the full ride. I know for sure that the parents of Diondre Francois (FSU's starting QB), could not have afforded IMG. Those that pay the full ride are very rich parents of sports crazed parents (usually dads ) who have a lot of money to burn and are willing to cater to the dreams of their children or themselves. It is one of many reasons I could never root for IMG.

Is the remainder of the game going to be played or does the 24-7 stand as a MNW victory?

Very true. Once the inevitability of winning is exposed as a myth, confidence can evaporate like fresh dew in the Florida summer sun!

I think DB chokes in some big games. Way back in 2003, an 10-3 Orlando Edgewater came to a 13-0 DB and beat them. Although the final score was close, Edgewater at one stage opened up a big lead and coasted into the end. That DB team was loaded and had a great High School QB, Brent Shaffer leading their offense. On paper, they were certainly better than that Edgewater team which lost the following week to Carol City 13-0 in the state title game.

After holding Carol City to 2, I though DB's defense was very solid. Is SJR that good?

Central has a shot at this game.

I don't think so. Cocoa is state caliber.

If true, it would have had to come either first hand or second hand from an administrator or coach at the school.

If that is the case, then Apopka should win by forfeit since a half was completed. If Norland intended to make a Disney trip of their road game, then there is no excuse for not finishing the game last night. They could have called the hotel and to confirm their reservations. And, if they thought the field was not game worthy last night, they could have finished it this morning and then gone on to Disney right after.

Good. University Orange City is a solid team and would be a good pickup for any team short a game that was looking for a good test.

I saw a really good half of football between two quality teams. No, it was not a perfect half. Both teams made mistakes and combined, committed a fair number of penalties. However, it was a very competitive game between two good teams. Apopka's defense held Norland in the red zone three out of the four times Norland got there, including a forced Norland fumble at the two yard line. Norland failed to hold Apopka in the red zone the two times they got there. That, right there was the difference in the game. The score at the half was Apopka 14 Norland 6. Then the rain, thunder and lightening came. It was about 8:30 when this happened. By the time it cleared up to the point where the game could have been resumed, it was close to 10:30. I don't know this for sure (thus I could be wrong), but I believe Norland declined to resume at that time. While I was disappointed, I can totally understand as if they had, the game would have probably ended close to midnight. To hit the road for North Dade County that late would have meant getting back to the school after 3 am. Given that this is a team of high school students, many of whom are under 18, I can totally understand why Norland's staff may have declined. As of now, I believe they are going to try and work on getting the second half of football in sometime in the future. Not sure if this will happen given the distance involved. I suppose if both teams have the same bye week it would be feasible. It's a pity, though. This was the best half of high school football, in terms of competitiveness, I have seen live since the state series last December, where a few of the games were quite competitive and entertaining. Norland's quarterback is a good runner. Not particularly fast, but he is a load to bring down and on one play faked the perfect hand off, but kept the ball for a 45+ yard run before being brought down at the Apopka 5. Aside from him burning us with his legs, the Norland running game was non existent as the running backs had negative yards. In the air their QB completed a couple good passes, but other pass plays were defended very well by the Apopka secondary. Apopka's Jacoryan Davis-Hamilton had a very good half rushing for over 100 yards and accounting for both Apopka touchdowns. I think he is justifying the Miami offer made to him on the basis of the spring game. I am not predicting that Norland will beat the big three in 6A 16. However, I would be surprised if they are not competitive against them. If they are not, then MC, MNW and CC are truly on another level.

They used to archive the games for up to a year. But this year they have not done so, at least not yet. So the answer is probably no. They may put them up at some stage during the season. One option may be to check in periodically over the three hours to see what's going on. Coverage begins at 7 pm and should run through about 10, assuming the weather cooperates.

Link to an internet broadcast of Norland/Apopka: http://1520wbzw.com/ To go to the internet broadcast, go to the upper right hand corner of the webpage and click on the listen live button.

Okay. I respect her fighting spirit. Still have reservations about her playing tackle football due to her size and gender. But I do admit her story is one of a gritty human being. I wish her success!

I looked at some of the Western/South Broward video. Western is not as small or as slow as you say. However, I will stand by my pick that Dillard should beat them. Western is not anywhere near the caliber of either BTW or St. Thomas, and Dillard has shown me that they belong on the same field (even though they lost) with both those teams when they are playing their best football.

If Dillard loses to Western it is because they find a way to give it away. I have a hard time believing Western is as talented.

It is a real concern. And if it were to storm heavily the week of the Apopka game, that would be a concern for both Lakeland and Apopka. It would have to be played regardless of inconvenience!

From following your posts, Central seems to give up way too many penalties. Aside from that, they are as advertised. Close game. It also lends support to Dillard being on the up holding BTW to zero in the second half.

For real! Expect more of this with the new transfer rules.

Not surprised. Based on Broward Handicapper's reporting, there was a mass exit from Flanagan. It will take them years, if ever, to be elite again.

It sounds like Central is the real deal. But the game is still early.

The forecast is for thunderstorms. You are right that they will not call the game until after a few delays. But given Norland travels 3.5 hours, they may do it more quickly than usual.

Consistent with this time of year, there is a 60% chance of thunderstorms in the area tomorrow through 8 pm. With respect to the Apopka/Norland game, the odds are 70% that there will be thunderstorms at kickoff. Really hope the weatherman is wrong, as if this game is rained out it will probably not be made up. I was looking forward to it as Norland is supposed to be pretty good and is in a district with some of the best teams in Florida and, arguably, the entire nation. Thus, this game would have provided a decent benchmark of how Central Florida's better teams would likely stack up against South Florida powers. Weather forecasts are, at best, a crap shoot, especially this time of year in Florida. So, I am hoping that they are wrong and that if it is to rain it will have come and gone before at least an hour or more before kickoff.