DarterBlue2

Walt Frazier, Carol City and George Smith, St. Thomas Aquinas?

Western is in Region 4 this year, not region 3.

Spruce Creek showed very well in the Spring Jamboree. They have a running back with an offer from Alabama and an athlete at QB that can run and pass very effectively. Their defense is more of a bend but not break kind and lacks the savagery I .like to see in my D. But it was effective against both Raines and Atlantic Coast. And while Atlantic Coast did not impress me much, Raines is still chock full of athletes. Now playing Spruce Creek with only a fifteen minute break after going two very intense quarters with Apopka may have affected their performance; however, I would make Creek coequal favorite to win district 2 right this minute.

Lake Nona, offensively, has talent. Not sure how the D will show against good competition, but given the weakness of the Region, this team could surprise more than a few in the playoffs.

First the bad news: Apopka does not have an offensive identity and must develop one over the summer or it could be a long, disappointing season ending without a playoff appearance. Now the good news: There is enough skill talent to do it. However, the offensive line must develop quickly. It would also help if the injuries get better over the summer and a few fresh, new faces show up in the freshman class. Finally, the defense was solid in all aspects of the game holding Atlantic Coast to minuscule yards (I don't think they had a first down in a half of football) and making critical sacks, a forced fumble and an interception, against an athletic, Raines offense, holding them to six points in two quarters. In fact, you could argue that it was not the D that gave up the six points as Apopka's offense fumbled away the football at about their own nine with about 40 seconds left in the game. Raines scored with 14.8 seconds left in the game, and intercepted Apopka's hail Mary to end the contest. To hold the defending state champion to six on a night when the offense could not move the ball to save it's life against them was pretty impressive. Apopka has plenty of talent. However, at this stage, its offense is the least developed of the eight teams I have seen play this spring. Now talent wise, it if far from the worst of those eight teams. An offensive identity needs to be developed or the team will struggle to score against decent teams. Lohman, who was our brightest offensive spark in the first game against Atlantic Coast, went down late in the second quarter of the second quarter of that game and was on crutches for the second game. I hope the injury is not severe as he will be needed to help spark the team come summer. On defense Jaylin Carter had a stellar night recording sacks and forcing the Raines fumble. Surprisingly, Spruce Creek, which is not usually a football power, was the best of the four teams at the jamboree winning both of their halves in impressive style. Their running back, number 4, and quarterback, number 9 are both D1 talents in my opinion. They beat Atlantic Coast 28-7 and was leading Raines 7-0 more than midway in their first quarter when I left to make the long trip home. Apopka won its half against Atlantic Coast 2-0 as the D brought Atlantic Coast down in its own end zone when they started from their own 3, and lost 0-6 against Raines. I did not see Fred Young, who was our best receiver last year on the sidelines. I don't know whether he has left school via transfer, or if he has quit football. Either way, the loss is a pity, as Fred was a very good receiver and with Apopka running more out of the spread I would have expected him to come into his own this season.

Both Lake Nona and Timber Creek looked solid. Not deep playoff threats, but teams that will compete for playoff spots and on a given night could bring down any of the better teams. So far, Lake Nona's QB impressed me the most of the ones I have seen this spring.

Is he coming back?

So, I watched the first three quarters of the Winter Park vs Dr. Phillips game tonight. I had to leave at the end of the third as I had another commitment. Both teams showed well. When I left, Winter Park held a 21-7 lead. However, the Sentinel reports that Dp. rallied to win 28-21 in the fourth quarter. Sorry I was not able to stay for the fireworks. Thoughts on the game: Both teams are solid. Dp. should have scored first as a half back pass delivered by Patti (I am guessing he is related to Nick and is the same style QB), found a wide open receiver in stride. Unfortunately, for some unknown reason, after hauling it in, he stumbled and fell. On the next play Patti threw an interception which WP proceeded to drive down field and score. DP utilized two QBs, Patti and the tall kid that transferred from West Orange last year. Patti is quite the athlete, and it is kind of like having a running back with a good arm playing QB. However, he threw two picks before leading DP to their fourth quarter comeback. For me, as of now, I would take the WO transfer as my starter, but we shall see. Winter Park looked good which they don't usually do in the spring. The have a number of very athletic kids at receiver who can make plays after the catch and the QB is capable of tucking the ball and running for decent yardage. Perhaps the most interesting thing I noted was that the WP defensive interior, which was undersized and did not look that impressive to the eye, was able to contain the DP running game well for the three quarters I saw. Look for both of these teams to make a run in 8A come fall.

Is he going to be a Sophomore or a true Freshman? He has the makings of a good QB. Certainly more upside potential than his older brother.

Those would be some good matchups. You would think someone would make it happen.

That would be a good thing. We are adjoining counties and there is no real barrier that should prevent scheduling some good matchups.

Me, too! Rockledge came up to Apopka for the KOC in 2002 and put a beating on the Darters!

Then I expect the Raiders to have a good season again. Back when I started watching high school football, Rockledge and Palm Bay were the best teams in East Central Florida.

Well you got to admit, there's not much difference between a Raider and a Pirate. So, I am sure the former pirates are comfortable in their new home.

I am not surprised. The ease with which he won the 9:98 hundred was the reason I was certain that at this stage of his career he would do well in Jamaica, my home country. Believe me that's the highest compliment I could give a high school sprinter, for the Jamaican school boy/girl circuit is about the most competitive in the world. It does not always have the best high school sprinter(s), but in terms of depth, I can't think of another country or region within a country with more potential olympian sprinters in the 17-19 age group.

Going by stars, the data are misleading. There are some huge differences among the teams listed above that will manifest themselves in short order.

Dillard has a tough schedule. If they are as good as last year, I think they go 2-2.

Tonight I went to watch Lake Nona at Timber Creek. As a North West Orange County guy, this was way over on the other side of town. But I had a suspicion it would be a good game and I was not disappointed. The score when I left with 2:40 remaining in the 4th was TC 16 Nona 14. I left because a decent crowd was there and I wanted to beat the traffic given I had an hours drive to get home. On offense Nona had three athletes 18, 4 and 9,who impressed me. 18 was their QB who has a good arm, maintains his composure well, and though not a dual threat, is able to evade defenders well buying a second or so to get rid of the ball. No 4 is a tall rangy receiver who reminds me size wise of Harding at West Orange last year. He lacks the athleticism of Hardin, but makes up for it with his ability to go up and get the ball and his safe hands and good route running. No 9 lined up mostly in the slot and made several good plays. He also played corner and performed well on the defensive side too. On offense TC displayed an undersized QB, no 5, Tanner who has a decent arm for his size and makes good decisions. I was somewhat disappointed with their line play but the offensive line is bound to improve under coach Z's capable hands. My sense is that both of these teams, though neither is a state contender at this stage, had solid chances of making the playoffs and could win a game or two in the post season. I thought LN utilized the game better in terms of giving more guys touches particularly in the second half. Despite the rather long trip, I don't regret making this game, and when Apopka has a soft opponent I could see myself going to watch either of these teams during the regular season.

Don't let Rab bug you too much. He is just a professional troll.

Probably a big part of that is perception and stereotyping others. On another post here, it features a white sprinter 18 years old that ran a wind aided 9.98 hundred meter sprint in a Texas meet. At the same time he did this, in the Jamaica National School Champs, the class 1, 100 was won in a time of 10:19. Now it is difficult to draw a direct comparison from that as different circumstances yield different times. But I would have to think that at this stage this kid would do well even in Jamaican schoolboy sprinting. It is noticeable that aside from me, no one else commented on this kid in response to Old School Lion's post. Perhaps they don't want to for whatever reason as such a kid is not supposed to be a sprinter. It should be interesting to see what events they guide this kid into in college to say the least.

The Muck ain't getting the love it did when Glades and Pahokee were winning state titles regularly. Back then multiple kids from the area were going D1 and at one time except for maybe St. Thomas, Glades had the most former graduates in the NFL.

That is very true. I have seen many first hand experiences in metro Orlando.

They are small, young, slow and weak :)! Just kidding. Trinity will be a hand full for any team next season. This should be a good match up.

White lightening! That was a very impressive win. Let's see if he can take this to the next level. I assume he is a senior.

Pasco County has one title, Pasco High School.