It does not seem too long ago Apopka was celebrating a state championship at the Orlando Citrus Bowl. The culmination of years of work in one ecstatic moment.
The work has begun again though. And this Thursday and Friday, teams will suit up for the first time in preparation for the season with a series of kickoff games throughout the state.
BHSN will air the critical-looking matchup between West Orange and Osceola on Friday at 7:30 p.m. Both these schools are expecting big things this season. Very big things. It is a potential matchup for the regional playoffs that could very well determine who wins state. And Apopka may still have something to say about it.
How big would this matchup be Friday — if it counted, that is? According to MaxPreps Freeman Ranking, it is a matchup of the No. 2 and No.3 teams in Class 8A. They are among the many teams ranked in the top 10 throughout the state.
Here is a look at the teams from Central Florida ranked in the top 10:
Class 8A No. 2 West Orange
Last Year: 12-2, 8A Regional Semifinals
Top Player: QB Woody Barrett, committed to Auburn
The Warriors had a strong season last year but ran into the powerhouse in the region in the Blue Darters. That was a not-so-close 42-0 drubbing. There certainly has to be a feeling of redemption coming into this season for West Orange. Returning a three-star, dual-threat quarterback like Barrett to the team should continue to make West Orange a major threat for the state championship. West Orange coach Bob Head is expecting big things from Barrett as he has continued to improve his quarterback skills. With another strong season, it would not be surprising for him to get some more individual accolades, or for West Orange to get some team hardware.
Class 8A No. 3 Osceola (Kissimmee)
Last Year: 13-2, State Runner Up (7A)
Top Player: DB Carlos Becker
The Kowboys make a big step up this year to 8A into a talent-rich region after making the state championship game last year. Osceola is not stocked with top-end talent, but they make it all work with several very talented players sprinkled throughout the roster. The team returns 13 starters from last year’s team, which is a ton of experience to bring back. This is a group that could surprise a lot of teams. As much as a No. 3 team can surprise. Despite the bump up in classification, Osceola is looking to finish the job this year.
Class 8A No. 4 Apopka
Last Year: 12-4, State Champions (8A)
Top Player: QB Taden Blaise
Apopka may be the lowest ranked of the Central Florida teams in 8A, but it is still the defending champions. Some respect should be given. This Blue Darters team is a much younger one than the one that won last year. 10 seniors are gone including two that were off to play in the SEC at Auburn. Last year’s magical run will be difficult to duplicate. In some circles, Apopka is the top team in 8A according to the Associated Press. Despite some youth and potentially some growing pains (similar to when they won the state title in 2013), Apopka is a very dangerous team in the region.
Class 7A No. 3 Edgewater
Last Year: 8-6, Regional Semifinals (6A)
Top Player: RB Craig Rucker
Edgewater certainly had an up-and-down season last year. The Eagles took care of things in their district and made a run in the state tournament. This season will be a culmination of a long road back. Many of the players on this year’s team experienced a 1-9 season in two years ago. Now 16 seniors are preparing for their final year with state title aspirations. It is a crazy turnaround, but the kind you want to see at the high school level. Edgewater will continue to have their work cut out for them, particularly in the Metro Conference. Expect them to be more comfortably dominant this time around.
Class 5A No. 3 Bishop Moore
Last Year: 14-1, State Semifinals (5A)
Top Player: OL Parker Boudreaux, committed to Notre Dame
The Hornets fell short of their goal of winning a state championship last year. They had the kudos from rankings to say they should have done so, spending most of the year at No. 1. The loss in the state semifinals was the Hornets’ only loss and a disappointing way to end the season. At the 5A level, this is not a team many will want to run in. Bishop Moore is stocked full of talent this year. They have a great offensive line led by four-star, Notre Dame-commit Parker Boudreaux and they have solid quarterback Collin Hartmann back from last year’s team.
