No. 17 Apopka (Fla.) - Team preview / Preseason photo gallery
Video courtesy AH Media
Strengths: While the team's premier recruits reside on offense, Apopka's defense will be the strength of this year's team. With 10 returning starters, the defense should be much improved from a unit that was very productive in the playoffs, save for the 50 points it allowed in a
53-50 victory over Cypress Bay in the Class 8A finals. Featuring
Anthony Ellis,
Isaiah Beuhler,
Eric Jackson and
Shardell Blackshear, the defensive line will be punishing.
Ben Bascom and
J.J. Simmons return in the secondary. Standout quarterback
Zach Darlington returns behind center. A second team all-state pick, he's a major asset back for the Blue Darters.
Martez Ivey will move outside to protect Darlington. He's the No. 6 overall recruit in the Class of 2015, according to
247Sports.
Question marks: While Apopka did capture the Class 8A title last year, it may not have even ranked among the state's Top 5 teams by season's end. It lost two of its first three games to begin the season. A similar start this fall would be disappointing to say the least. Diminutive running back Jevric Blocker won't be impossible to replace, but someone will need to step up and fill his role. For all of Ivey's high praise, he wasn't the best lineman on the team last year. That honor belonged to first team all-state pick Dazzie Morris, who has since graduated.
Outlook: Apopka will be tested with an interesting out-of-state matchup against Byrnes. It should enter as the favorite. But defeating Byrnes, which has been one of the country's top programs over the last five seasons, would still be a major feat. It should also be favored to repeat as Class 8A champion. However, that road could go through Plant once again.
