DarterBlue2

I am not surprised and that sucks. Personally, while I have no problem with the points system for the other four spots in a tied district, I think the best way to settle things is to have a tiebreaker shoot out. At least that way things are settled on the field. Anyway, it is all the more important Apopka beats West Orange on Friday. Not sure how this will affect tonight's game.

I have watched a lot of VB video this year (from Youtube). This year's VB team has a great chance of making the semifinal game. DP and Osceola are VB's greatest threats. However, I think they are even money against either. From what I have seem VB is a fundamentally sound team with a very good, North/South running back, capable receivers, and a QB that is adequate. On defense, they seem to be the proverbial bend but don't break kind of D, that will give up some points to athletic teams.

For the second week in a row, we have Monday night games in the greater Orlando area. This one is another make up game that was postponed due to Irma. The game has lost a little of its luster due to both teams playing their second game after only two and three days off for Apopka and DP, respectively. To add to that, both schools have important district games this Friday and in the case of Apopka it is homecoming week. Despite all of this, it is still, by far, the biggest game in the area this evening. Apopka comes into it off a facile victory over Mandarin. However, the team is somewhat banged up from both the Mandarin and Evans games, and several key pieces of the offense are doubtful for this evening. To add to this, the West Orange game this Friday presents a much bigger challenge for Apopka than the Freedom game presents for DP. And, while all games now count, clearly winning the district is of paramount importance for the Darters. Should they lose to WO, then they would. in all likelihood need a win against Wekiva to force a three way tie for District champion (I am assuming that the old rules for determining DC still apply and that points at the end of the season would not automatically determine the champ; I could be wrong as I have not checked). With all of the above in mind, there is some incentive for Apopka to be conservative in this game. My overall take on the game is this. I have pretty good knowledge of what Apopka will bring on offense. With regards DP, their overall defense seems a little down from the past two years. In particular, in the OC University game, they seems susceptible to both the intermediate and deep pass. However, Apopka, aside from the Lakeland game, has not passed much. So I assume it will follow its tradition and rely on its running game. DP's run stop defense is very solid (not as down as its secondary). It shut down Linguard in the University game, which was no small feat. It also kept Wekiva in check for most of Thursday's game (not as great an accomplishment). However, with that said, Apopka has a better, more varied rushing attack than either OC University or Wekiva. So, it should be able to get some decent rushing yards against DP. The question is will it be enough. My take is that Apopka will need 28 to 35 points to beat DP. While its defense is decent overall, it does not seem to be outstanding. This goes for both the secondary and front 7. On the other hand, I don't think DP's offense is dynamic enough on offense to score more than mid 20s on the current Apopka defense. I expect this to be an interesting game that could have a replay in the state semis, though both teams will have to go through some tough competition to get there (DP against Osceola, Vero Beach and perhaps Ridge or Riverview), (Apopka against Winter Park, Seminole and probably Wekiva and Spruce Creek). I am going to go out on a limb and in the spirit of the last two years predict a close game with Apopka prevailing 28 - 24. Hope I am right, but would not be surprised if I am wrong.

No doubt that on paper this is probably the game of the week in the State. If i were going to be in SF, I would be going to see it.

Miami South Ridge destroyed Palmetto a week ago. Not sure Palmetto should be in the 8A top 10. Also, Columbus should be higher. They are perhaps the best team in 8A.

Or AM scored and Panther is ticked off?!

Commentary?

Carol City's route of South Ridge, 44-0 with a running clock in the second half. This is the second big loss for the Spartans, Cardinal Gibbons being the first. For a team that returned a number of its State Championship pieces, this does not bode well. 8A is a huge puzzle this year. Perhaps this may end up being the year of a well coached, consistent team. Right now, from a distance, the Columbus Explorers look like the best bet to represent the South bracket in Orlando. In the North, there is really no clear favorite at this time.

I did not know that.

This one shocked me! Oviedo seemed like a .500 ball club. I would have lost the house if I were a betting man.

Sounds about right. This would have been a much better game last year. Mainland is decent but not the high quality team of the last several years.

Osceola 35 Tampa Jesuit 0 in the fourth. Seminole now leads Lyman 22-19 in the fourth. OC University hanging on to a 41 - 34 lead over Oviedo.

Viera looks good!!

Final score Apopka 55-12 over Mandarin.

A second Mandarin player, No 2 leaving the game. 4:55 left in the game. Apopka leads 55-12. Ball at the 2. First and goal Apopka. Apopka takes a knee. Game over!! Clock kept running through the craziness. Facile victory for Apopka. Poor end to the game. Mandarin clearly had all kinds of trouble defending the single wing of Apopka.

Flag on the play and fight on the field. Apopka player gets body slammed! Sea of flags on the field. Ball at the Mandarin 2 yard line waiting for the ruling of the officials. Mandarin's 81 ejected. Ball at the Mandarin 2.

First and 10 Apopka at midfield. Sibley gets tackled in the backfield. Second and plenty. Darlington pass to Massey down to the 35. First down Apopka. First down Apopka at Mandarin 35. Darlington takes off down to the 17. First down Apopka. Apopka now inside the 10 on a Sibley run. Second and short. Time out for mandatory water break middle of fourth.

Mandarin punt is low line drive goes out of bounds at midfield.

End of third period. Apopka up 55-12. Mandarin has no defense. Apopka to kickoff to begin the final quarter with a running clock. ' Mandarin first and 10 from own 25. Pickup of 3 by Mandarin second and 7. Third and 7. QB sacked. Fourth down. Mandarin to punt.

First and 10 Apopka. Massey takes it for 7. Darlington takes it down to the Mandarin 16 for a first down. Sibley gets it down to the seven yard line. Second and one. Darlington takes it up the middle to the 4. first and goal. Snap to Massey, touchdown Apopka. Apopka 55 Mandarin 12. Kick is good. 1:12 left in the third.

Pass incomplete on first down by Mandarin. Good pass defense by Bush. Second and 10 Mandarin. Hand off to running back. Picks up two or three. Third down Mandarin. Third and 8 Mandarin from the 37. Intercepted by Apopka. Barber makes it and takes it to the Mandarin 38.

Apopka to kickoff. Running clock is now on. Kick out of bounds. Mandarin gets it at the 35. First down Mandarin at the 35.

First down at Mandarin 45. Good run by Massey. Second down at the 39. Williams picks up the first down to the 30. But there is a flag. Late hit by Mandarin. Tack on another 15. Ball at the Mandarin 13, first down Apopka. Darlington takes it up the middle for two. Second down and 8 at the 13. Williams takes it inside the five third down and short. Movement five yard penalty. Snap to Darlington. Touchdown Darlington. 48 to 12. Apopka as the kick is good.

First and 10 Apopka at their own 41. Sibley fumbles the ball after getting first down yardage and Mandarin recovers. This was Sibley's first carry of the night. Mandarin first and 10 at 48. Pass incomplete, broken up by Yermyah. Second down Mandarin. Fumble Mandarin. Apopka recovers. First and 10 Apopka at Mandarin's 45.

Complete pass by Mandarin. Gain of 6. Second and 4 at the 35. Pass rush forces hasty throw. Third and 4 Mandarin. Bad snap. QB falls on it at the 20. Fourth down. Mandarin to punt. Short punt but rolls to the Apopka 41.