September 1, 2012

PJ Smith
FlaVarsity.com

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In case anybody around the state of Florida missed the elephant in the room in Central Florida, it's navy blue. With a new group of playmakers facing perennial-power Apopka, Dr. Phillips jumped out to a 21-3 halftime lead, holding off a late Blue Darter surge for a resounding 35-17 final.

The Panthers started quickly on their first drive, with quarterback Alton Meeks (Boston College) connecting on a 30-yard pass to junior Roderick Proctor to get the Panthers into Blue Darter territory.

After a mix of runs by senior running back Eric Harrell and Tebow-esque runs by Meeks, the transfer quarterback connected with senior wide receiver Zack Autiello for an eight yard score to put the Panthers ahead, 7-0. The Blue Darters would hit a field goal to close the gap to 7-3, but that is as close as this one would get.

Apopka had troubles holding on to the football, and Dr. Phillips senior safety Matt Milano would take advantage. Deep in Apopka territory, the ball-hawking senior recovered a botched handoff exchange, giving Dr. Phillips possession inside the Blue Darter 10. It wouldn't take long for Eric Harrell to find the end zone, his first of three scores on the ground, and Dr. Phillips took a 14-3 lead. Following another turnover by the Blue Darters, Dr. Phillips took advantage as Meeks connected with a diving Roderick Proctor to give Dr. Phillips a 21-3 lead heading into the music break.

Apopka would reduce a 28-3 Dr. Phillips advantage to 28-17 with good play by sophomore running back Daquon Isom and receiver Kevin Smith, but all hopes of a comeback were diminished when running back Eric Harrell raced 55 yards down the Apopka sideline to seal the 35-17 victory for the Panthers.

Apopka, which started 0-3 a year ago, has a tough schedule moving forward. The Blue Darters will take on two of Central Florida's top teams, Lake Brantley and Olympia, to begin a grueling September schedule. The Blue Darters may be 'just a year away', but I wouldn't count junior quarterback Zack Darlington and the Blue Darters out just yet. Their next two games will be very telling, and the Blue Darters have the potential to make a deep run in 8A, Region 1. Dr. Phillips will face Olympia, which jumped out to a quick 24-0 lead on Edgewater before winning 38-23.

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Around the Area

Mainland, which fell behind 30-0 against Lake Brantley in the Kickoff Classic, shed off the cobwebs this week, downing perennial rival DeLand 19-3. Anthony Ludivico rode a 163 yard rushing performance and a stellar Buc defensive performance to blank an end zone trip for JoJo Kemp and DeLand.

Evans, a consensus area favorite to make a deep playoff run, was upset by Oak Ridge, 26-21 on a last-minute Pioneer touchdown, marking the first huge upset of the 2012 Central Florida High School football season.

Boone, district rival to Dr. Phillips, took a 37-34 double-overtime decision against West Orange, which figures to compete in 8A-4 alongside Apopka and Olympia.

Jones, led by speedy running back Kermit Whitfield, upset state-ranked Lake Wales, 20-17.

Olympia, the favorite out of 8A-4, rushed out to a 17-0 first quarter lead, pushed the lead to 24 before the half, and held on to defeat Edgewater, 38-23.

Lake Brantley didn't show the flash they did against Mainland in the Kickoff Classic, but got to 1-0 with a 17-2 win over an improved Lake Howell team.

Osceola, which led Ocoee 9-7 at the half, pulled through in the second half to defeat the Knights 34-14.

Oviedo continues to be the known-unknown many thought they would be, waxing Lyman 60-7 in a game that could propel the Lions to a higher ranking.

Timber Creek, led by super-sophomore Jacques Patrick (remember the name), cruised past Freedom, 31-7. The win is impressive and should move the defending Region 1 runner up into bigger, state-wide conversations.

Lake Mary rode high in Winter Park Friday night, scoring with no time left on the clock to outlast Asiantii Woulard and Winter Park, 22-21.