Lake Brantley entered a big area showdown with Bishop Moore looking to build on the regular season. Instead they made a major statement before the Playoffs.
Lake Brantley was the team no one suspected.
West Orange would battle Apopka, the defending state champions, and Wekiva for district supremacy. Bishop Moore is a state championship favorite that can hang with the big boys, defeating Edgewater in a College Park battle.
The Patriots? Their district was cluttered with several solid teams who disappointed. Lake Mary was not quite mature enough to take the step up. Seminole vastly disappointed relying too much on quarterback Jaylen Watkins on offense. University (Orange City) is fighting a suspension from the playoffs that gave the district runner-up berth to Oviedo.
Lake Brantley has done their work with a strong triple option attack. But the Patriots have gone unnoticed entering the Playoffs and their game against Jacksonville Sandalwood next week.
No more. Statement made.
The Patriots thumped the Bishop Moore Hornets 42-6 in the season finale to complete an undefeated season and end the Hornets’ bid for their undefeated year. Bishop Moore still enters the Playoffs as a favorite to win the 5A State Championship.
Lake Brantley has to get some consideration for the 8A state title.
The Patriots got 163 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 20 carries from quarterback Jared Bernhardt. He had a 53-yard run right before the half to give Lake Brantley a 21-6 lead at the half. He added another 57-yard run in the third that more or less sealed the game.
And sealed a fantastic regular season for Lake Brantley. Perhaps a season no one saw coming from this team.
Certainly no one saw Lake Brantley physically dominating Bishop Moore like this. No matter Bishop Moore’s classification, that team has been one of the best teams in the city all season.
Lake Brantley has to be considered in that top group now with West Orange and Apopka — all 8A teams. Now the Playoffs begin.
