20
WEST ORANGE TIMES & OBSERVER
|
OrangeObserver.com
THURSDAY, AUGUST 15, 2019
FOUNDATION ACADEMY LIONS W
ith the new FHSAA p l ayo f f fo r m u l a now in place, many schools coming into this season were looking to beef up their schedules. While Foundation Head Coach Brad Lord has always scheduled good teams, the playoff change motivated him to put together one of the toughest schedules in Class 2A football. “Two-A is very, very strong this year — the whole 2A statewide,” Lord said. “I checked it off the other day, and eight out of our 10 games are with ranked opponents in 2A or 3A. We have a tough schedule, and I think it’ll be good with the points system — especially with the RPIs — but I think if we stay healthy we should be able to compete with any of the teams we’ll be playing.” The schedule for the Lions is not only difficult, but also backloaded. The Lions have a stretch of five games against teams — Trinity Christian Academy, TFA, Windermere Prep, University Christian and Orangewood Christian — that all made the playoffs last season. Fortunately for Lord he returns a solid chunk of the offense that helped lead the Lions to a 9-3 record last season. All-State players like Henry Austad and Danny Stutsman will be weapons for the Lions, and will lead a potent offense that averages about 24 points per game.
15304 Tilden Road, Winter Garden | Class 2A, Region 2 Co-captain Danny Stutsmann will be one of the go-to players for coach Brad Lord.
2019 SCHEDULE All games are at 7 p.m. unless otherwise stated.
SNAPSHOT 2018 RECORD: 9-3 (2-0 in district) PLAYOFF APPEARANCE: Class 2A regional final HEAD COACH: Brad Lord KEY RETURNERS: Henry Austad, Danny Stutsman, Mykal Chan KEY LOSSES: Warren Sapp II and Andrew Johns BIG GAME(S): Windermere Prep, Orangewood Christian
Last season, Austad threw for 2,125 yards and 28 touchdowns, and rushed for 313 yards and
three touchdowns. Meanwhile, Stutsman racked up 650 receiving yards on 43 receptions and hauled in 11 touchdowns. On the defensive side of the ball, the Lions will be without two of the program’s best players in Warren Sapp II and Andrew Johns — who at the defensive end position, combined for 45 total sacks. Despite that loss, Lord isn’t concerned, because he knows the guys he has coming back can handle the pressure of a difficult schedule. “The good thing about it is we do have a veteran squad,” Lord said. “If we tackle, block and take care of the ball we should be fine.”
Aug. 16 vs. Orlando Christian Prep — Preseason Kickoff Classic Aug. 23 vs. Cambridge Christian (Tampa) Aug. 30 @ St. Petersburg Catholic (St. Petersburg) Sept. 6 @ Bradenton Christian (Bradenton) Sept. 13 vs. Northside Christian (St. Petersburg) Sept. 20 vs. Trinity Christian Academy (Deltona) Sept. 27 vs. The First Academy Oct. 4 (4:30 p.m.) @ Windermere Prep Oct. 11 (7:30 p.m.) @ University Christian (Jacksonville) Oct. 18 vs. Orangewood Christian (Maitland) Oct. 25 vs. West Oaks Academy
LEGACY EAGLES 2019 SCHEDULE
1550 E. Crown Point Road, Ocoee | Sunshine State Athletic Conference
All games are at 7 p.m. unless otherwise stated. Aug. 16 vs. Halifax Academy (Daytona Beach) — Preseason Kickoff Classic Aug. 23 @ St. Edward’s (Vero Beach) Aug. 30 @ Seven Rivers Christian (Lecanto) Sept. 6 vs. Santa Fe Catholic (Lakeland) Sept. 13 vs. Ocala Christian (Ocala) Sept. 20 @ Cornerstone Charter Academy (Belle Isle) Oct. 4 vs. First Academy Oct. 11 vs. North Florida Educational Institute (Jacksonville) Oct. 18 @ Cocoa Beach (Cocoa Beach) Nov. 1 @ Jones
SNAPSHOT 2018 RECORD: 7-3 (4-0 in district) PLAYOFF APPEARANCE: No HEAD COACH: Trent Hopper KEY RETURNERS: Jacob Worley, Trent Phillips, Elijah Post KEY LOSSES: Gabriel Chambless, Matthew Strubel BIG GAME(S): St. Edward’s
Following one of their best seasons in program history, Legacy Charter looks to turn 2019 into another successful year.
W
ith the arrival of the new season, optimism runs rampant in the Legacy Eagles’
camp. Despite a tough loss to end last season, the Eagles had one of their best years in program history, as they went 7-3 overall and
4-0 in the SSAC Florida Championship Series North — good enough for first place. “We had a good season last year,” said Trent Hopper, the team’s head coach. “Our junior class last year was the biggest class we had, so they’re all grown up now and it’s their last year —
there’s about 11 of them that can play. We are very optimistic.” Outside of a few players lost to graduation, Hopper will see key cogs of his Eagles team return for the 2019-20 season. Senior quarterback Jacob Worley will once again go under center, where he looks to build upon
last year’s success that saw him throw for 1,539 yards and 20 total touchdowns (18 passing, two rushing). Adding to the offense will be the Eagles’ No. 1 receiver in Eli Post (491 receiving yards, four touchdowns), while the offensive line will be one of the team’s most experienced units. “A lot of our offensive weapons are back, and we’re returning three offensive linemen in Noah Velazquez, Mac Long and Brody Thalmann,” Hopper said. “We’re looking real good on what we have returning offensively. We have a little bit of a building block on defense, but our offensive game should be pretty strong.” The schedule, which kicks off with a preseason game against Halifax Academy on Friday, Aug. 16, is favorable enough that the Eagles should be able to dominate and match — or best — their win total from last season. There is one team in particular that Hopper is eyeing, as far as it relates to gauging how good his team will be. “We actually have a whole lot of new faces on there that we don’t know a whole lot about,” Hopper said. “St. Edwards is always a measuring stick — it’s usually the best-coached team that we play all year.”