08.23.18 Football Preview

2018 PREP FOOTBALL PREVIEW

LITTLE GUY, BIG GAME Windermere Prep senior quarterback Kai Patterson hasn’t let being undersized stop him from putting up eye-popping numbers. STORY ON PAGE 15.

INSIDE: Welcome to the 2018 season.......... 4 Area team profiles...................... 5-14 Cover story.......................................15 Must-see games of 2018........... 16-17

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AUGUST 2018

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AUGUST 2018

2018-19 FOUNDATION ACADEMY LIONS @OCP @Cambridge Kingdom Prep Bradenton @Northside @Deltona @Nat. Christian Windermere Prep (HC) University Jax (SR Night) @West Oaks @Carrolwood Day Kickoff at 7PM for all games.

Go Lions! @theFAlions

@FAathletics

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Observer Publisher / Dawn Willis, dwillis@ OrangeObserver.com Executive Editor / Michael Eng, meng@OrangeObserver.com Design Editor / Jessica Eng, jeng@OrangeObserver.com Senior Sports Editor / Steven Ryzewski, sryzewski@OrangeObserver.com

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SIDELINE SCENE

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AUGUST 2018

DP’s state title in 2017 adds to excitement for local teams in 2018

Associate Editor / Troy Herring, therring@OrangeObserver.com Advertising Executive / Cyndi Gustafson, advertising@OrangeObserver.com Business Development / Kim Kowske, kkowske@OrangeObserver.com Creative Services / Tony Trotti, ttrotti@OrangeObserver.com Customer Service Representatives Allison Brunelle, abrunelle@OrangeObserver.com Katie Rehm, krehm@OrangeObserver.com To Advertise, please call (407) 656-2121 or email AdvertiseNow@ OrangeObserver.com.

CONTACT US The West Orange Times & Observer and Windermere Observer are published once weekly, on Thursdays. The Winter Park/ Maitland Observer is published once weekly, on Fridays. The Observer papers can also be found free in many commercial locations.

If you wish to subscribe to the West Orange Times, Windermere or Winter Park/Maitland Observers, call (407) 656-2121 or visit our offices at 720 S. Dillard St. in Winter Garden, FL. or 180 S. Knowles in Winter Park, FL.

ON THE COVER Windermere Prep senior quarterback Kai Patterson, as photographed by Troy Herring, associate editor for the Winter Park/Maitland Observer.

STEVEN RYZEWSKI SENIOR SPORTS EDITOR

W

hen you cover a concentrated area the way we do at the Observer — between the West Orange Times & Observer and the Windermere Observer, we currently cover 10 varsity programs — a state championship can be almost as elusive for a sports reporter as it is for the coaches and players who train and compete for them.

Sure, we have programs that are consistently good in West and Southwest Orange. But there is a certain point in the state playoffs where everyone is really, really good — and anything can happen.

Before 2017, Dr. Phillips was a great example of this.

Between 2013-16, in three regional playoff games and one state final, the Panthers’ season ended in games where they lost by an average margin of 2.25 points — less than a field goal.

Then, on a chilly night at Camping World Stadium this past December, an interception and a scoop-and-score fumble recovery changed everything. Dr. Phillips won the 2017 FHSAA Class 8A State Championship.

To be sure, we’ve covered state championship teams in the four years since I arrived at the Observer. But as far as revenue, attendance and cultural significance would indicate, high-school football is at the top of the prep sports food chain. Seeing one of our local teams reach the mountaintop

File photo

The Dr. Phillips Panthers reached the top of the mountain in Florida high-school football last December when they won the FHSAA Class 8A State Championship.

in this sport so mythologized by popular culture was pretty incredible.

What’s that got to do with 2018? I don’t know — I guess I’m just excited.

And you should be, too.

A wall of sorts has come down for varsity programs in Orange County’s western half, south of Apopka (a town for which state titles are nothing new). But specifically, for West and Southwest Orange, we’ve seen a group of “our kids” be crowned best in the state in the state’s favorite sport. That should be inspiring for Warriors, Knights, Wolverines and more. No other local program has won a state title in football, but we have seen it can be done.

After all, make no mistake: These kids all know one another. They meet in offseason camps and 7-on-7 tournaments. Some work out and train together. Now, Titans, Lions and Royals can look at their peers who are Panthers and think to themselves, “Why not us? Why not now?”

Entering this season, it’s

safe to say there are no state title “favorites” here locally, but there are teams who can contend.

Dr. Phillips graduated a large senior class that defined that championship team, and there will be a learning curve for new players in new roles. But the Panthers are a strong bet to make the playoffs again as champions of District 8A-5 and once they are there, anything can happen.

The West Orange Warriors aren’t quite as star-studded as the team that made the state semifinals in 2015 — although the Warriors do have some high-profile college prospects — but West Orange is a team not to be slept on in District 8A-4.

The Warriors have a chip on their shoulder from 2017, when they were just barely left out of the playoffs in the debut season of the new points system. Salt in the wound is that, under the previous system where district runnersup made the playoffs, West Orange would have been in.

In the smaller school ranks,

Foundation Academy boasts a well-rounded team with college prospects and plenty of grit. The First Academy has not lost a regular-season game in two seasons.

In the Sunshine State Athletic Conference, Windermere Prep came within a game of a championship in 2017, and both Legacy Charter and CFCA expect to show great improvement this fall.

Teams such as Ocoee, Olympia and Windermere — all of which have new coaching staffs — will be more focused on improving than making the playoffs, but stranger things have happened.

Part of the beauty of highschool sports — particularly high-school football — is even reporters who spend every fall Friday at games have no idea what will happen.

It’s why we play the games — and there sure are some exciting games on the schedule for this fall.

We hope you’ll join us for the ride.

DR. PHILLIPS PANTHERS 6500 Turkey Lake Road, Orlando | Class 8A, District 5 (Region 2)

All games at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted.

Aug. 25 at Lee County (Georgia), 11 a.m.

Aug. 31 vs. Timber Creek Sept. 7 vs. West Orange Sept. 14 at Apopka Sept. 21 at Mainland Sept. 28 vs. Oak Ridge* Oct. 5 vs. Wekiva Oct. 12 vs. Freedom* Oct. 19 at Olympia* Oct. 25 at Cypress Creek* Nov. 2 BYE *denotes district game 2017 RECORD 13-2 (4-0 district) Won the 2017 FHSAA Class 8A State Championship

“It’s their turn to lead, their turn to be seniors, and they’re just as hungry as the last group. They’ve been in the state (title) game for the last two years, and they don’t want to be the group to end the streak.”

— Rodney Wells (eighth year), on the leadership of his senior class

TWEET-LENGTH OUTLOOK There are several new faces at important positions — and added responsibilities for returning starters — but the expectation doesn’t change for the Panthers. A schedule with its toughest games on the front end should help Dr. Phillips find out what it

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NO. NAME GRADE 1 Japerri Powell 12 3 Devon Buckhanon 12 4 Nivon Holland 11 5 Jaquarri Powell 12 6 Brandon Fields 11 7 Brenden Cyr 11 9 Bryan Bell-Anderson 12 10 Jacquez Jones 11 11 Arron Edwards 11 12 Trey Schyck 11 13 Shi Gaskin 11 14 Jadai Smith 10 15 Cameron Williams 12 16 Christopher Fulse 10 17 Tarvon Young 12 18 Isaiah Givens 11 19 Canaan Mobley 10 20 Reggie Webb 11 21 Jalen Moore 10 22 Dante Johnson 11 23 Jalen Washington 10 24 Tevin Griffey 11 25 Joshua Gabbidon 12 26 Nikkem Reynolds 11 27 Jaelen Jackson 10 28 Kameryn Metcalf 9 29 Stephen Dix 11 30 Jeremiah Grandison 12 31 Antone Alexander 12 32 Steve Julssaint 11 33 Devon Charitable 12 34 Gerald Rice 12 35 Riley Stephens 11 36 Jayden Ellis 12 37 Kemaal McMillan 10 38 Kovsky Timothee 11 39 Cameron Stone 12 40 Myles Wiley 10 41 Cornelius Johnson 9 42 Shemar Williams 11 43 Frank Maciejczyk 12 44 Alberto Guzman 10 45 Gerald Greaves 10 46 Noah Aucoin 11 50 Christopher Liriano-Jimenez 12 51 Malik Carson 11 52 Emanuel Noboa 12 53 Justin Corneille 11 54 Ronnie Hayes 10 54 Miguel Ortiz 12 56 Austin Purpura 10 57 Jefferson Garcon 10 64 Michael Maisonet 9 73 Kyjuan Phillips 10 75 Christian Przybysz 12 77 Derek Haupt 11 81 Jackson Hodor 11 82 Joanes Fortilien 9 83 Matthew Messina 11 N/A Deshilo Brown 12 N/A Mario Lockhart 12

is made of early.

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OCOEE KNIGHTS 2018 SCHEDULE

1925 Ocoee Crown Point Parkway, Ocoee | Class 7A, District 4 (Region 1)

All games at 7 p.m.

Aug. 24 at Apopka Aug. 31 vs. Olympia Sept. 7 at Boone Sept. 14 vs. Edgewater* Sept. 21 at East Ridge* Sept. 28 at Hagerty* Oct. 5 at West Port* Oct. 12 vs. Lake Howell* Oct. 19 BYE Oct. 25 vs. Lake Minneola* Nov. 2 at West Orange *denotes district game 2017 RECORD 1-9 (1-5 district)

“(The kids) were highenergy when I got here, to be honest. They’ve got a lot of soul and a lot of spirit — energy wasn’t the issue. It’s the discipline and getting them to be gritty. Grinding things out. That’s what we’ve worked on the most.”

— Aaron Sheppard (first year)

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AUGUST 2018

TWEET-LENGTH OUTLOOK In 2018, the Knights allowed close games and small deficits to escalate into one-sided losses — something Coach Aaron Sheppard and his staff are hopeful to avoid this fall. Schematically, Sheppard plans on leaning into his roster’s speed and having a disciplined approach.

NO. NAME GRADE 1 Lovie Jenkins 11 2 Dexter Rentz 11 3 Kendall Bohler 12 4 Jeremiah Fails 12 5 Tyree Glover 12 6 Zoren Tobe 10 7 Santwaun Blue 12 8 Tyrese Taylor 11 9 Corey Jackson 11 10 David McKenzie 12 11 Chester Geffrard 12 12 Quillon Conway 12 13 Tavion Wood 11 14 Nicholas Wright 11 15 Elijah Jones 12 17 Lentz Napoleon 12 20 Tyler Nelson 10 21 Talik Johnson 11 21 Jules Hall 12 23 Duane Goode 11 24 Malik Harp 10 25 Reginald Hicks 12 27 Bernie Hendricks 10 28 Cody Hansen 12 30 Jakovi Bryant 10 33 Rock Predestin 10 34 Victor Suarez 11 39 Tavares Rogers 11 40 Cadeau Abraham 10 42 Dajsean Rodriguez 11 44 Deangelo Wilson 11 45 Roberto Reyes 11 50 Dylan Gregory 10 51 Markel Howard 11 52 Kade Molner 12 54 Lorenzo Wright 10 56 Shemar Brown 12 57 Caleb Richards 9 58 Mahki Love 10 59 Damion Reed 12 60 Matt Hogan 12 61 Dominick Zaccaro 9 62 William Fletcher 12 63 Christian Providence 9 65 Aldwin Ware 11 66 Alston Watts 10 67 Hung Hoang 12 72 Jason Williams 11 73 Hudson Sanon 12 77 Justin Williams 12 78 Jessiah Tisdale-Robinson 10 79 Joshua Morgan 9 80 Miguel Colon 11 81 David Clerjuste 11 83 Sage Limon 9 84 Jermel Meriweather 11 85 D’Andre Brutus 9 88 Julian Simmons 11 89 Trevian Williams 11 90 Korey Karbowsky 11 95 Eric Gilreath 9

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OLYMPIA TITANS 2018 SCHEDULE

4301 South Apopka-Vineland Road, Orlando|Class 8A, District 5 (Region 2)

All games at 7 p.m.

Aug. 24 vs. West Orange Aug. 31 at Ocoee Sept. 7 vs. Edgewater Sept. 14 vs. Cypress Creek* Sept. 21 at Wekiva Sept. 28 at Freedom* Oct. 5 at Winter Park Oct. 12 BYE Oct. 19 vs. Dr. Phillips* Oct. 25 at Oak Ridge* Nov. 2 at Windermere * denotes district game 2017 RECORD 6-5 (3-1 district) Made FHSAA Class 8A Playoffs, defeated in regional quarterfinals.

“It’s not necessarily a rebuild. I don’t believe you rebuild in high-school football — I believe you’re always building. You get incoming freshman and younger kids and it’s our job as coaches to build them. We’re young, but we’re not going to use that as an excuse to not go out there and compete.”

TWEET-LENGTH OUTLOOK Week-to-week improvement will be the focus for a young team with a new coaching staff navigating a tough schedule. On offense, the Titans will run the spread but also play to what the defense gives. On

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NO. NAME GRADE 1 Tealson Jean 12 2 Derrick Mays 12 3 Amari Kindred 12 4 Jamari Kindred 12 6 Bryant Casteel 11 7 Donrick Means 11 8 Ashton Payne-Tonge 11 9 Eddie Nelson 12 10 Nicholas Keith 12 11 Maurice Booker 11 12 Artavious Quaterman 11 13 Jake Hagmaier 12 14 Kye Rivers 10 15 Garrett Velin 11 16 Joshua Hughes 11 17 Djim Rene 12 18 Victor Jones Jr. 9 20 Bar’tavious Kinsler 11 21 Darrian Hawkins 10 22 Osmond Havens 10 23 Hudson Bialosuknia 11 24 Dante Clark 12 25 Tyrese Rodriguez 10 26 Micah Hurst 12 27 Keyon Grimes 12 28 Latrell Pryor 12 30 Isaiah Exil 11 32 Gary Grady 12 33 Mark Caillouet 12 34 Clay Adams 12 40 Gerby Belus 12 42 Isaiah Davis 10 44 Trey Bridges 12 45 Kelin Shill 12 47 A’alijah Fuller 12 51 Bryce Turner 10 52 Jack Lipinski 11 53 Tristian Smith 12 54 Levonte Bryant 10 55 Jaden Phillips 12 56 Michael Houser 11 57 Jordan Phillips 9 58 Donovan Hicks 10 60 Jonathan Russo 12 66 Jarski Galliotte 11 70 Jordan Thomas 10 71 Amripaul Singh 12 73 Bryan Donald 12 74 Rickenson Jeantihomme 12 75 Jakari Ross 12 76 Steven Eubank 11 77 Caleb Morrow 12 79 De’Andre Robinson 10 80 Ben New 12 84 Kimaan Seigler 12 88 Treyvan Clarke 11 90 K.J. Griffin 12 99 Kolby Kitner 11

defense, they will look to keep it simple and lean on their athleticism.

— Travis Gabriel (first year)

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WEST ORANGE WARRIORS 1625 Beulah Road, Winter Garden | Class 8A, District 4 (Region 1)

2018 ROSTER

All games at 7 p.m.

Aug. 24 at Olympia Aug. 31 vs. Rockledge Sept. 7 at Dr. Phillips Sept. 14 at Timber Creek Sept. 21 at Cypress Creek Sept. 28 vs. Wekiva* Oct. 5 vs. Jones Oct. 12 vs. Apopka* Oct. 19 at Evans* Oct. 26 BYE Nov. 2 vs. Ocoee *denotes district game 2017 RECORD 7-4 (2-1 district) Won bowl game against Lyman

“I think our depth is the biggest ‘what if?’ …

Our skill kids are really dynamic. I like our guys, and our guys are working really hard. We just don’t have a whole lot of depth on both sides of the ball.”

— Bob Head (sixth year)

TWEET-LENGTH OUTLOOK The Warriors felt snubbed in 2017, just missing the playoffs in the new point-system’s debut. They have strong skill players but will be

NO. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 20 21 22 24 25 26 27 29 30 33 42 44 45 48 50 51 52 53 55 56 60 61 63 64 66 72 76 81 90 95

NAME GRADE Nemea Hall 11 Sinica Sigler 11 Jaylon Carlies 11 Caleb Danner 12 Matthew McDoom 9 Giuliano Baber 12 Russell Robinson 12 Tywon Little 12 Joey Stravato 11 Jahshari Jones 10 Darrell Harding 12 Keyshawn Goins 12 Garrett Valentine 11 Julian Calvez 9 Elijah Stimmell 12 Tyler Huff 9 Kelton Law 11 Matt Thevenot 11 Austin Chilton 12 David Jones 11 Solomon Smith 11 Jaden Floyd 10 Nate Imler 10 Lexus Jones 10 Garrett Clark 12 Dontee Lanier 10 Aaron Wilson 9 Nasir Carter 12 Joanes Polynice 10 Eric Mercier 11 Colton Scharfield 12 Alex Wells 10 James Sniffen 11 Austin Edwards 12 Hunter Mathews 12 Carter Swanson 10 Cyrus Yousofi 12 Max Konters 12 Ennis Barrow 10 Lamar Jackson 12 Cole Strehle 10 Andrew McKelvain 12 Lexan Coleman 11 Damien Rangel 10 Zach Block 12 Steven Friend 11 Daniel Harrington 11 Justin Hoskins 11

tested by a tough schedule. The team replaced four starters on its Oline, but coaches are pleased with the work ethic of the newcomers.

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WINDERMERE WOLVERINES Home games: Deputy Scott Pine Community Park — 6865 Ficquette Road, Horizon West

2017 RECORD 0-10 (0-6 district)

“We had anywhere from 60 to 70 kids, every day, working out during the summer. The enthusiasm carried over from the great spring that we had. … For us, the goal is to be a better version of ourselves.”

— Fred Priest (first year)

TWEET-LENGTH OUTLOOK After a tough debut season the Wolverines have shown improvement. Coaches are pleased with the defense and hopeful the team’s unique offense will give opponents problems if executed correctly.

A favorable schedule features games where the Wolverines should

NO. NAME GRADE 1 Isaiah Jackson 12 2 Stone Rivers 10 3 Kevin Gilbert 11 4 Austin Hatcher 12 5 Michael Poole 11 6 Jordan Dozier 10 7 Ryan King 12 8 Cody Arnold 10 9 Dylan Palmer 11 10 Rodney Green 12 11 Nicholas Berrien 10 12 Matthew Richardson 10 14 Danic Lopez 11 15 Will Disalvo 11 16 Christian Castellano 10 17 Gahmliel Artison 11 18 Shavvi Houston 10 19 Julius Moreno 10 20 Gabriel Bertolazzo 10 22 Jordan Zimmer 12 23 Christian Mercado 10 24 Nates Barrientes 12 25 Nasir White 10 27 Khalil Brown 10 29 Nicholas DeCarlo 12 30 David Michael Richardson 12 32 Ryan Floumoy 10 35 Amer Amer 10 36 Jason Rehberg 12 37 Gabriel Franco 10 39 Joshua Curry 12 42 Jacob Kelley 12 44 Elijah Brown 10 45 Grant Farrar 12 47 Michael Remaley 11 50 Caue Santoro 11 51 Eliam Ramirez 10 52 Matthew Camner 11 53 Magnus Pais 11 54 Matthew Messner 12 55 Joseph Ramos 12 56 Cole Prieto 11 57 Moises Medina 11 64 Jake Prieto 11 70 Braden Plumley 10 73 Gabriel Deneen 12 75 Tyler Reichert 12 77 Judah Martin 12 78 Sir Maurice Blackmon 11 82 Tyler Chisholm 11 89 Cavin Carter 11

compete — and even win.

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All games at 7 p.m.

Aug. 24 vs. Cypress Creek Aug. 31 BYE Sept. 7 at University Sept. 14 vs. East River* Sept. 21 vs. St. Cloud* Sept. 28 at Lake Nona* Oct. 5 at Harmony* Oct. 12 at Mount Dora Oct. 19 vs. Liberty* Oct. 26 at Celebration* Nov. 2 vs. Olympia *denotes district game

5523 Winter Garden Vineland Road, Horizon West | Class 7A, District 5 (Region 2)

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CFCA EAGLES 700 Good Homes Road, Ocoee | Sunshine State Athletic Conference

2018 ROSTER

NO. 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 17 20 22 35 50 51 52 53 55 72 73

NAME GRADE Macena Gay 12 Anthony Rucker Jarrett Lang 11 Jamar Houston 9 Anterrius Washington 12 Keenan Milroy Brandon Nguyen Frank Ward 12 JaJuan Preaster 11 Reese Gustafson 12 Zach Taggart 12 Caleb Gill Caleb Hughes 10 Keune King David Knopp Smith Elize 12 Griffin Horn 11 Daniel Rivera 12 Anthony Guillaume Finely Voorheis Jared Furtado 11 Shay Sanchez 12 Joshua Virgil 11

2018 SCHEDULE All games at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted.

Aug. 24 vs. Cornerstone Charter Aug. 31 at Lake Mary Prep Sept. 7 at All Saints Academy Sept. 14 at Windermere Prep, 4 p.m.

Sept. 21 BYE Sept. 28 vs. Trinity Christian Oct. 5 at Bishop McLaughlin Oct. 12 vs. Orangewood Christian Oct. 19 vs. The Nation Christian Academy Oct. 26 Playoffs/matchup Nov. 2 Playoffs/matchup 2017 RECORD 2-8

“Offensively, we’re going to make defenses defend the whole field. Defensively, I’m back to my bread and butter — I’m going to blitz you until you tell me otherwise.”

— Jeremy Campbell (second year)

TWEET-LENGTH OUTLOOK Newcomers from the school’s basketball team helped increase depth for CFCA, righting an issue that plagued it in 2017. The Eagles boast athletes on both sides of the ball whom coaches are excited to see work out in space. CFCA may be primed for dramatic improvement this fall.

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THE FIRST ACADEMY ROYALS 2018 ROSTER

2667 Bruton Blvd., Orlando | Class 3A, Region 2

“We’re a Big-10 team (on offense) — we’re Wisconsin, is who we are.

We’re going to put in a slightly different scheme (on defense) because we have fewer linemen.

We’re going to go with an odd front this year.

We feel as if, with the speed we have on the field, it’s better to have guys who run.”

NO. 1 2 3 4 5 10 12 13 15 20 21 23 24 25 32 40 50 51 52 53 56 58 60 63 66 70 73 77

NAME GRADE Rolous Frazier 12 Jeremiah Bannister 10 Nathan Edwards 12 Ellis Lake 11 Michael McFayden 11 Terrance Mosley 9 Lucas Konner 9 John Collard 12 Matt Edwards 12 Jordan Pierre 12 Marseille Taylor 10 Jalen Middleton 10 Pedro Martins 11 Owen Pifer 12 Jaylen Robinson 10 John Robinson 9 Gabriel Almeida 12 Trevon Barton 12 Mike Flaskey 9 Josh Thomson 10 Josh Harvey 10 Quenton Harvey 12 Ashton Hage 9 Jose Lopez 12 Jacob Forbes 11 Aidan Gerrity 10 Robert Smith 11 Cooper Ulgenalp 10

2018 SCHEDULE Games at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted.

Aug. 24 vs. West Oaks Academy Aug. 31 BYE Sept. 7 vs. Orlando Christian Prep Sept. 14 at Tampa Bay Christian Sept. 21 vs. Calvary Christian Sept. 28 BYE Oct. 5 at Trinity Catholic Oct. 12 at Trinity Prep Oct. 19 vs. West Park Prep, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 26 vs. Lake Highland Prep Nov. 2 at The Villages Charter

— Leroy Kinard (11th year)

TWEET-LENGTH OUTLOOK The Royals haven’t lost a regular season game in two seasons. That will be put to the test after graduating a large senior class and a handful of transfers. On the flip side, coaches are

2017 RECORD 9-1 Lost in first round of FHSAA Class 3A Playoffs

optimistic early adversity could benefit the team should it again make the postseason.

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FOUNDATION ACADEMY LIONS 15304 Tilden Road, Winter Garden | Class 2A, Region 2

2018 ROSTER

2018 SCHEDULE Games at 7 p.m. unless otherwise indicated.

Aug. 24 at Cambridge Christian, 7:30 p.m.

Aug. 31 vs. Kingdom Prep Sept. 7 vs. Bradenton Christian Sept. 14 at Northside Christian Sept. 21 at Trinity Christian Sept. 28 vs. The Nation Christian Oct. 5 vs. Windermere Prep Oct. 12 vs. University Christian Oct. 19 BYE Oct. 26 at West Oaks Academy Nov. 2 at Carrollwood Day 2017 RECORD 7-3 Narrowly missed Class 2A Playoffs in first year of new points system

“We have the talent and depth to make a pretty good playoff run this year. We’re deeper. It’s a very deep team on the offensive and defensive line. … It’s more of a football ‘team’ than a bunch of individuals.”

NO. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 12 13 20 23 25 27 28 29 30 33 34 49 50 52 54 56 57 58 63 68 70 73 74 77 79 84

NAME GRADE Max Klein 12 Henry Austad 11 Danny Stutsman 10 Tate Ewing 10 Bryan Thomas 9 Joey Zagame 12 Abner Hidalgo 12 Ethan Terrell 11 John Michael Samuel 9 Bowman Bower 9 Chai Colon 11 JP Ruiz 12 Joey Fragoso 12 Matt Puchalski 11 Ian Garcia 9 Grayson Wagner 12 Dominic Zagame 10 David Perea 12 Warren Sapp II 12 Luke Burton 9 Tanner Hammond 12 Mykal Chan 11 Mario LeMieux-Bott 11 Andrew Johns 12 Matt Lemieux-Bott 9 Kyle Huntt 11 Vincent Mazzuca 11 Dylan Parker 12 Scotty West 10 Bailey Trinder 11 Reggie Jean 9 Matt Cooper 11 Josh Taylor 12 Edward Byrd 8 Hunter Moss 9 Charlie Wagner 9

TWEET-LENGTH OUTLOOK Foundation boasts a well-rounded roster and a chip on its shoulder after missing the playoffs in 2017.

An expanded playoff field for lower classifications increases the chances that will not repeat, but — once again — the Lions face a tough schedule.

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— Brad Lord (11th year)

LEGACY EAGLES All games at 7 p.m.

Aug. 24 vs. St. Edward’s Aug. 31 at Citrus Park Christian Sept. 7 at Ocala Christian Sept. 14 vs. All Saints’ Sept. 21 vs. Orangewood Christian Sept. 28 BYE Oct. 5 at TFA-Leesburg Oct. 12 vs. Avant Garde Oct. 19 vs. Cornerstone Oct. 26 Playoffs/matchup Nov. 2 Playoffs/matchup

1550 E. Crown Point Road, Ocoee | Sunshine State Athletic Conference Home games: Ocoee Bulldog Field, 560 Flewelling Ave., Ocoee

2017 RECORD 4-5

“This year there are some possibilities. Our roster is at 36 now, where we started out the season around 24 (athletes) last year. We have 13 to 15 freshman.

The sky is the limit with them — just depends on where we’re going to go.”

— Trent Hopper (second year)

NO. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 11 12 13 14 15 17 19 21 22 25 32 34 41 42 49 49 51 52 55 58 61 65 70 75 79 80 85

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NAME GRADE Justin LaGasse 11 Logan Tewson 11 Quinten Corter 11 Jayden Colon 9 Gabriel Chambless 12 Wyatt Powell 10 Briar Makin 10 Kenny Jackson 9 Jacob Worley 11 Caleb Danko 11 Eli Post 11 Drew Birko 11 Matt Cochrane 11 Nate Stanley 10 Tyler Bailey 12 Jaden Oyola 9 William Walker 10 Angel Puebla 9 Gabriel Gomez 9 Trent Phillips 11 Sebastian Hopper 12 Abraham Puebla 11 Leonard Meyers 9 Andrew Kraus 9 Zach Stanley 12 Hunter Moyer 10 Jadon Stanley 9 Devin Dorsey 12 Fabian Santos 11 Noah Velazquez 10 Mac Long 11 Blake Johnson 9 Andrew Perkins 9 Brody Thalmann 11 Jaden Weinstein 9 Matthew Strubel 12

TWEET-LENGTH OUTLOOK Relative to a school of its size, Legacy boasts impressive depth and a number of returners, making the Eagles a playoff contender in the SSAC. Fans can expect a balanced offensive attack, between pass and rush, and the Eagles’ trademark 4-3 defense to slow opposing offenses.

1333 East Crown Point rd.

thEy will mount uP on wings likE

EaglEs!

“thE stonE thE buildErs rEjECtEd is now thE CornErstonE.” – Psalms 118:22

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WINDERMERE PREP LAKERS 2018 ROSTER

6189 Winter Garden-Vineland Road, Windermere | Sunshine State Athletic Conference

“These four (Kai Patterson, Jared Blount, Mason Russell and Khadry Jackson) have been in the program for a while and what I love about them is they’re the exact kids you want your own son to be like. … Three of them are going to play college football, and one is going to play college baseball.

We’re going to go as far as they take us.”

NO. 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 12 15 17 22 32 33 34 40 45 51 55 59 61 71 72 74 77 78 81 N/A

NAME GRADE Mathews Peres 12 Dharius Daniels 11 Ross Fournet 11 Joel Noel 12 Najji Allen 12 Kai Patterson 12 Khadry Jackson 12 Rafael Betancourt 10 Cole Nabavi 10 Zane Fullmer 9 Adiel Aguiar 12 Justin Kirtland 12 Matthew Kane 11 Jacob Fagan 12 Aidan Sakata 11 Mason Russell 12 Andrew McLean 12 Quentin Eckert 9 Logan Mathews 10 William McBride 12 John Geller 10 Donovan Branch 9 Tyler Kousaie 12 Jared Blount 12 Watson McBride 10 Jonah Best 11 Stone Farnsworth 10 Hunter Smallback 12

2018 SCHEDULE

TWEET-LENGTH OUTLOOK The Lakers will be a constant threat to score more than 30 points in a game — and often in one half. A talented senior class will look to lead the team back to the SSAC Championship. One area of concern is depth, with the Lakers dressing fewer than 30 players this fall.

2017 RECORD 10-1 Lost to St. Stephen’s in SSAC Championship

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— Jacob Doss (ninth year)

Aug. 23 vs. Lakewood (California), 4:30 p.m.

Aug. 31 vs. Eagle’s View, 4:30 p.m.

Sept. 7 vs. St. Stephen’s, 4:30 p.m.

Sept. 14 vs. CFCA, 4:30 p.m.

Sept. 21 BYE Sept. 28 at Orangewood Christian, 7 p.m.

Oct. 5 at Foundation Academy, 7 p.m.

Oct. 12 vs. Lake Mary Prep, 4:30 p.m.

Oct. 19 vs. Bishop McLaughlin, 7 p.m.

Oct. 26 SSAC Playoffs/matchup Nov. 2 SSAC Playoffs/matchup

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Whatever it takes Kai Patterson has put up remarkable numbers at quarterback for the high-powered Windermere Prep offense, but college recruiters have asked him to learn a new position.

STEVEN RYZEWSKI SENIOR SPORTS EDITOR

K

ai Patterson loves playing quarterback.

It’s been his position for as long as he can remember, and he happens to be pretty darn good at it.

How good?

In three seasons as a varsity quarterback, Patterson — now a senior for the Windermere Prep Lakers — has thrown for 4,432 yards and 62 touchdown passes.

He is the conductor for an offense that has averaged 43.5 points per game in the last two seasons.

The only thing Patterson seems to love more than playing the position of quarterback is playing football, in general.

That matters, because Patterson is listed at 5-foot-11 and generally considered to be too short to play the position at the Division I level. So, when recruiting at quarterback didn’t pick up the way he had hoped — and when college coaches nudged him in the direction of playing defensive back — he was receptive.

After all, as much as he likes playing quarterback, what this Laker really wants is to play in college.

“A lot of schools this spring came in and said, ‘We kind of want to see you play defensive back.’ So I said, ‘I can make the change — whatever I got to do,’” Patterson said. “I’m really excited to play on the opposite side of the ball, to show that I’m more than a quarterback — I’m an athlete.”

Patterson’s head coach with the Lakers, Jacob Doss, marvels at how receptive Patterson was to the idea — and how well he has done in picking up the position. Although Doss has had no issues with Patterson’s size —

Kai helped lead the Lakers to the SSAC Championship in 2017 — he understands why some college recruiters have that opinion.

“They know how tough he is at quarterback, and they know how smart he is — he’s Ivy Leaguelevel smart,” Doss said. “He does know he’s a little undersized, height-wise (to play quarterback) — but you can’t measure that heart.”

Players playing both sides of the ball for smaller schools is by no means unusual — it’s usually a necessity — but quarterbacks usually do not participate. After all, an offense runs through the quarterback, and the last thing a coach wants is for his signalcaller to get injured making a tackle.

Doss, though, has backed Patterson’s additional role.

“He’s earned that right,” Doss said. “He’s the most fierce competitor I’ve ever coached.”

The assertion Doss made that Patterson is “Ivy League-smart” isn’t conjecture, either.

Patterson is about 50 points off a score he would need on the SAT to qualify to be a recruit for an Ivy League football program — and those schools have shown a lot of interest.

Of course, even as he gets some reps in on defense, Patterson is still the starting quarterback for a team that hopes to return to the SSAC’s Championship Game.

He’s got a Division I recruit at wide receiver — Pittsburgh commit Khadry Jackson — and a Division I-caliber fullback — Mason Russell, a Duke commit in baseball, in the backfield.

This season, Patterson will be the conductor of a high-powered offense that likely will score north of 40 points per game.

“It’s more than about just the size,” Patterson said. “Knowing the game helps you to be a successful quarterback.”

He does know the game, and in the long run, that knowledge

PATTERSON’S PATTERN Since he was a freshman, Kai Patterson has thrown for big yards and been a dualthreat with his legs.

2017 (JUNIOR): 1,510 yards, 53.4% completions, 26 touchdown passes, 300 rushing yards, 9 rushing touchdowns, 114.5 QB rating 2016 (SOPHOMORE): 1,923 yards, 61.9% completions, 27 touchdown passes, 323 rushing yards, 5 rushing touchdowns, 130.2 QB rating 2015 (FRESHMAN, AT CFCA): 999 yards, 40.8% completions, 9 touchdown passes, 62 rushing yards, 2 rushing touchdowns, 69.6 QB rating

Photo by Troy Herring

Kai Patterson has thrown for more than 3,400 yards as a Laker — and he has one season left to add to that number.

could help him be an effective defensive back.

“I’ve been playing football since I was young, and it’s something I love playing,” Patterson said. “I’m willing to play any position on the field.”

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Can’t-miss games STEVEN RYZEWSKI SENIOR SPORTS EDITOR

H

ave we got a treat for the high-school football fan with no particular team allegiances.

Below is our compilation of what we anticipate to be the best games for each week of the upcoming season.

For context, we made sure all 10 of the teams we cover for the West Orange Times & Observer and the Windermere Observer were represented. We did this to be fair to the programs we cover and to provide a look at the various levels of high-school football, locally — from big-school, Class 8A football all the way down to the smaller programs playing in the Sunshine State Athletic Conference.

An emphasis also was placed on local teams being at home, where possible.

Some great games were left out, to be sure — it feels criminal to not include Apopka at West Orange — but then again you could include half of the Warriors’ schedule if you so chose.

We hope you’ll enjoy some of what local high-school football has to offer this fall.

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nice to know who wins in a fulllength game. When these teams met in 2017, the game was called at halftime because of weather, in favor of Olympia. But Ocoee had played well in the first half, too. In addition to settling that score, these teams both have new coaching staffs, making this game a good measuring stick for each respective program.

WEEK 3

Orlando Christian Prep at The First Academy, 7 p.m. Sept. 7 WHY: Orlando Christian Prep

competes in the Sunshine State Athletic Conference and is a preseason favorite. It also has scheduled tough out-of-conference games, including this one. The Warriors pushed the Royals in 2017 when TFA went undefeated — and should be an even tougher challenge in 2018 with the Royals fielding a smaller teams. This could be a fun game.

WEEK 4

CFCA at Windermere Prep, 4:30 p.m. Sept. 14 WHY: This game was selected

based on the belief that CFCA — with its additions from the school’s basketball team and increase in depth — will be significantly improved. If that holds true, this could be a matchup with big implications for the postseason picture in the Sunshine State Athletic Conference.

The Eagles will have to contend with Windermere Prep’s “big four” and the Lakers’ high-flying offense, though.

WEEK 5

Orangewood Christian at Legacy Charter, 7 p.m. Sept. 21 WHY: The Rams cruised past

the Eagles in 2017, but that was the final loss of the season for Legacy, which closed with four consecutive wins. The Eagles should be even better this fall, and the matchup against Orangewood will give them a chance to make that case against a team projected to be among the SSAC’s best in 2018.

WEEK 6

Wekiva at West Orange, 7 p.m. Sept. 28 WHY: The district implications

from this game will be huge. A season ago, West Orange upset Apopka, but that still wasn’t enough to get it in the playoffs.

Wekiva took the district as it narrowly held on for a win against the Warriors. The Mustangs will be the favorites again in District 8A-4 — unless the Warriors can knock them off in this midseason showdown.

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WEEK 7

Wekiva at Dr. Phillips, 7 p.m. Oct. 5 WHY: If for nothing else, come

for the number of Division I-caliber recruits who will be on the field. Both teams boast defenses full of college prospects and, oh yeah, this is a rematch of the 2017 FHSAA Class 8A State Semifinal.

WEEK 8

University Christian at Foundation Academy, 7 p.m. Oct. 12 WHY: Foundation Academy

doesn’t mess around with scheduling and will welcome last year’s state runner-up in Class 2A to their new on-campus stadium.

University Christian is a powerhouse, and this late-season showdown will be a chance for Foundation to show it can hang with the state’s elite programs.

WEEK 9

Dr. Phillips at Olympia, 7 p.m. Oct. 19 WHY: This game has decided the

district championship in each of the last three seasons. Although, on paper, Dr. Phillips will be favored, the last time this game

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was at Olympia — in 2016 — the Titans pushed the Panthers to the brink.

WEEK 10

Windermere at Celebration, 7 p.m. Oct. 26 WHY: Simply put, this is the most

winnable game on the schedule for the Wolverines. That is not to say Windermere may not win before this, but the Wolverines were Celebration’s only win in 2017, and what transpires in this showdown will reflect which team has worked the hardest to improve in the time since.

WEEK 11

Olympia at Windermere, 7 p.m. Nov. 2 WHY: Although the Wolver-

ines likely won’t match up well against the Titans in terms of size and speed, this game will stand out as a chance to showcase the improvement they will have made through the program’s second season. Similarly, the “newness” at Olympia under new coach Travis Gabriel should be long gone by this point, meaning fans hopefully will see the best versions of both teams.

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