DarterBlue2

Given the country's past, I stridently disagree with Nolebull's take.

IT is the right decision.

Based on how you have just bashed them, that one is hard to believe, LOL!

I will participate.

The majority of Edgewater's talented skill players were juniors and sophomores last year. They did lose some experienced linemen on both sides of the ball and a very good kicker. The kicker has been replaced, so that is not an issue. I believe both Edgewater receivers of merit will be back.

I think it's worth asking Josh, which I will. Thanks for the suggestion.

I was hoping to attend the Jones/Bishop Moore game. But based on the fan limits to two admissions per player, it seems I cannot make it.

I hope all players, coaches and fans throughout the state, stay safe and virus free. Coach Allen's decision must have been a very difficult one. I commend him for doing what is right for his high risk daughter.

Frankly, I think Florida Tech was, how can I put this, slightly addled, based on a few private conversations I had with him. He needs help and I hope he gets it.

Tommy was a very, very good possession receiver. The first time I saw him live against Miami Central at the old Orange Bowl, shortly before it was demolished I knew he had NFL talent then and there. Funnily enough, though, I though Aldarius Johnson had even more potential, but issues (off field??) caused his college career to stall. That MNW team had as much offensive talent as I have seen on any one high school team.

I hope this is not the end of a true, state championship series in Florida. That's all I have to say on this topic.

He elected DROP, so their hands were tied so as to speak.

Old School was right about East Ridge, though. In the fist part of the first decade of this century, they were very good. I remember them spanking Apopka at Apopka in either 2004 or 2005. That was the first and only time, I ever saw Apopka quit in a game. I realize that East Ridge was the better team, but to this day I am still pissed at and embarrassed by that Apopka team. To lose to a better team is fine. To quit is not acceptable. Things changed rapidly when Lake Minneola opened up and siphoned off many of the better East Ridge kids.

Old School was just being Old School! My first sporting event occurred at 8 years old. It was a cricket game that I found incredibly boring. Kind of funny as I ended up playing the sport in high school, mostly because I could not make the soccer team. Go figure ...

That last paragraph is fake news. However, if it proves true, I doubt very much that our respected colleague was the guilty party!

I am in agreement with you. It does not make any sense.

Osceola should have won that game up in the Panhandle.

I will give an unauthorized answer for Badbird. The 300 club is better. With that said, Badbird was an excellent coach and I understand why he feels the way he does. One stinging loss was in the third round of the 2003 (or was it 2004, I could be off a year) playoffs against Edgewater. Apopka was coming off a big win over Sandalwood and the fans were feeling we had a chance. Unfortunately, Apopka was plagued with unforced errors in the game and dropped a reasonably close one at College Park. Bobby Raugh put the nail in the coffin with a touchdown catch in the fourth quarter. Edgewater went on to lose the title game against a Miami team.

Than he must have been real good. Not many coaches can boast of being rocket scientists!

It's a game I will never forget. The momentum went back and forth between two evenly matched teams. And, like I said, it was as cold as ice. A neighborhood kid that lived four doors down from me at the time, Jarrick Thomas, was a two way starter for that Edgewater team. He had attended Middle School with both my sons at Piedmont Lakes Middle, and in the evenings they would often play some street basketball with him. He blocked a Norland extra point and had several good tackles. Jarrick got a football scholarship but blew out his knee in his sophomore year.

Miami Norland vs Orlando Edgewater. Edgewater made what looked like a game winning drive ending in a touchdown when the running back took it in on a draw play. The drive was highlighted by some spectacular catches by Mike Walker of Edgewater, including one where he dived laterally to catch the ball full stretch. Unfortunately, for Edgewater, despite having a good kicker, they elected to pooch the ball to prevent a long return, giving Norland the ball at about their 40. This Norland team had too big time receivers including Dwayne Bowe who would star at LSU and have a very good NFL career. However, Robert Spence elected instead, to throw the ball to a receiver who had not scored a touchdown the entire season. He collected the ball between Kenny Ingram and another Edgewater receiver and dived into the endzone, scoring with about 20 seconds on the clock. Edgewater got the ball back but was unable to bring off a second miracle. That night was the coldest night I ever watched a game live. I watched the game on the Norland side because my niece was a Norland Junior. I was the sole Edgewater fan on that side and took a lot of grief after the game.

He must be a 1970s or 1980s guy. He looks so small (not short) and athletic for an O Line.

Hey, Columbus had a few big time recruits. And while you are right about Apopka, a smart coach would have had a chance to grab an outstanding, under recruited Apopka player named Jacquan Lowman. Appalachian state just got a gem, I might add.

Hagerty High Jeff Driscol (sp) Lost to Lakeland Above is just a guess, but I do know Jeff starred in a losing effort in the playoffs at Lakeland. Jeff is one kid I though would star in college and go on to do well in the NFL. He was a man among boys in high school, but things just did not work out.

Hey, maybe they could even arrange a match in January (post season) to determine which of the two is best, if conditions are safe to do so.