By Ron White
MaxPreps.com
Last Friday brought the final tune-ups for Central Florida football teams heading into the playoffs and the season finales for a great many other teams.
Earlier last week, some local teams participated in key tiebreaker games to decide playoff spots.
The most notable of them was the three-way tiebreaker between Port Orange Spruce Creek, DeLand and Jacksonville Mandarin, and the game proved to be as wild as the format.
DeLand and Mandarin hooked up in the first of the one-quarter games played at New Smyrna Beach Municipal Stadium, and the Bulldogs had the early advantage. In fact, DeLand pinned Mandarin at its own 1-yard line midway through the quarter, but Mandarin did the unthinkable. With no room for the punter in the end zone, the Mustangs elected to throw the ball on fourth-and-14.
The move proved successful, and Mandarin marched across midfield. With time waning, though, Mandarin faced a similar decision when it had 4th-and-1 from DeLand’s 19-yard line. A field goal would have put the Mustangs on top 3-0. Mandarin, though, opted to try for the first down, and DeLand’s defense stuffed a run up the middle.
DeLand was unable to capitalize after it took possession, but the Bulldogs scored in the overtime, when both teams were given possession at their opponents’ 10-yard line. The Bulldogs got in on a fourth-down run by senior Mike Gillislee. Then DeLand’s defense picked off a Mandarin pass to seal victory.
That ensured the Bulldogs a spot in the playoffs, but DeLand still had to face Spruce Creek, which had two shots to earn a playoff spot. The Hawks didn’t need their second opportunity. Instead, Spruce Creek notched a 7-0 win on a 56-yard touchdown run by Adam Lampert, who went untouched through the right side of the line and outraced the Bulldogs’ defensive backfield for the score.
Spruce Creek secured the 6A-1 district championship and hosts Lake Brantley on Friday. DeLand travels to face Sanford Seminole.
Following is a breakdown of the 6A scenario so far as local teams are concerned.
Port Orange Spruce Creek versus Lake Brantley
The Hawks (8-2) have long been about defense, and this team is no different. Spruce Creek has held nine of its 10 opponents to 14 or fewer points this season, and coach Tommy Moody, the assistant turned head coach, has confidence his team can slow Lake Brantley’s potent offense. The Patriots feature Antonio Miles, a talented running back who has rushed for more than 1,500 yards this season. The senior was a third-team all-stater a season ago.
Lake Brantley (7-4) has won seven of its last eight games after beginning the season with a 33-14 loss to Apopka and a 29-28 upset loss to Lyman. The Patriots depend heavily on Miles, and Brantley’s defense has been suspect at times. They’ll need to stop Spruce Creek quarterback Shane Peludat and a patient running game that eats up the game clock.
Sanford Seminole versus DeLand
With some highly-touted recruits, Seminole came into the season with a lot of expectations. The Seminoles (8-2) have lived up to the hype behind seniors Andre Debose and Ray Ray Armstrong, who share the quarterback duties. Seminole, though, has shown some vulnerability. Dr. Phillips popped the Seminoles for a 34-22 win that would have been by a wider margin had Seminole not scored late in the game. Spruce Creek also defeated Seminole, 34-13.
The game to keep in mind, though, was played way back in early September. Seminole defeated DeLand 21-6 on the road behind a big game for Debose, who rushed for 124 yards and a touchdown and returned a kick for another score.
DeLand’s offense sputtered in that one, but the Bulldogs (5-5) have improved a lot since then. The Bulldogs won five of six games before falling 21-13 to New Smyrna Beach last week in a game that saw Coach Kevin Pettis rest some of his stars in anticipation of the Seminole game.
Orlando Timber Creek versus Apopka
Timber Creek (8-2) is riding a seven-game win streak. The Wolves haven’t allowed more than 14 points in any of those seven games. The season, though, also featured a 33-0 loss to Boone and a 31-28 loss to Winter Springs and its talented running back Al-Terek McBurse.
Apopka (8-2) hasn’t fit its normal mold this season. The Blue Darters put up plenty of points behind Jeremy Gallon, but the quarterback has needed them. Apopka’s defense hasn’t shown that it can shut down an opponent. The Blue Darters have allowed an average of 19 points per game, and Apopka gave up plenty of yards to East Ridge running back Jeremy Wright in a 21-13 loss just a few weeks ago. Timber Creek back Rahfee McClee is ready to take his shot. McClee has rushed for 1,300 yards and 15 scores this season. It could turn out to be a high-scoring game.
Clermont East Ridge versus Winter Park
East Ridge (9-1) hasn’t lost since opening the year with a 24-20 loss to South Sumter. All running back Jeremy Wright has done this season is rush for more than 2,300 yards. East Ridge is no mystery. The team gives up lots of points and scores a lot, too. The school based in Clermont has scored 40 or more four times this season, but the defense has allowed 22 points per contest.
Winter Park (6-4) is riding a four-game win streak. The Wildcats, though, have not fared well in big games. Winter Park’s losses were to Boone, Winter Springs, Timber Creek and Apopka. All of the losses were by double digits.
Orlando Dr. Phillips versus Plant City Durant
You’d be hard-pressed to find a better offense in the state than the one the Panthers send to the field. Nico Ranieri has broken the school’s single-game record for passing yards three times this season, and his receivers are a remarkable bunch.
“If I get it to them, I’m confident they’ll make the catch,” Ranieri said Dr. Phillips defeated Seminole earlier this season.
Dr. Phillips (9-1) has a pair of talented receivers in juniors Kenny Shaw and Ricardo Miller, but the team new that when the season began. The bigger surprise has been the emergence of sophomore running back Demetrius Hart, who has shown remarkable skill as both a runner and receiver. Hart can catch passes out of the backfield, which gives defenses an added headache.
The good news for Durant is that Dr. Phillips’ defense isn’t going to shut anyone down. The Panthers allowed 20 points per game over their last five.
The Cougars (6-4) lost the district title to Sarasota Riverview 27-17 on Oct. 24. Since then, though, the team has allowed just seven points. Durant allows just 12 points per game but only scores 15. It’s safe to say the defense will give up more than the average against D.P., which means the Cougars’ offense, which features a multi-headed running game, had better be ready to roll.
Sarasota Riverview versus Boone
For its hard work to make the playoffs, Riverview didn’t receive much of a gift. Instead, it’ll face one of the best teams in the state, Orlando Boone.
Boone (9-1) coasted through the season without a blemish until Ranieri and his Dr. Phillips' teammates arrived to pull of an upset a few weeks ago. Now Boone is ready to prove it was all a fluke.
Riverview (7-3) has won six of its last seven. The team features running back Andrew Booker, who has rushed for 1,265 yards and 19 touchdowns. While extremely talented, Booker is supported by little. Riverview had almost no success throwing the football during the regular season, and that could prove to be an Achilles’ Heal against the strong Boone defense.
In 5A, three Central Florida teams are ready to battle.
Deltona Pine Ridge at Orange Park
The Panthers (9-1) have won more games than any team in school history. Meanwhile, senior quarterback Ben De La Cruz needs just 46 rushing yards to go over 1,000 yards both on the ground and through the air. He sat out Pine Ridge’s win against in-city rival Deltona last weekend, so he should be rested and ready to go.
Orange Park, a Clay County school, is 8-2 after defeating Tallahassee Chiles 35-0 last week.
Daytona Beach Mainland versus Gainesville Buchholz
Mainland (10-0) has quietly rolled through its season with nary a blemish. The Bucs are as flashy as some of their 6A counterparts. There is no 2,000-yard runner or 1,500-yard passer. In fact, the team splits the carries between several talented players.
One thing, though, is a constant in Bucs’ land. The defense is supreme. Mainland allows an average of just seven points per game. So, to give up a score to the Bucs almost guarantees a loss. The Bucs have scores plenty of points, too, but most of them have been against mediocre competition. A good defense can slow them down, and that’s almost a requirement given that the defense is unlikely to break.
Buchholz (5-4) has three straight wins, including a 31-28 victory against rival Gainesville in late October. The team, though, allows plenty of points, and that’s not exactly a good sign for Bobcats fans.
Kissimmee Osceola at Lithia Newsome
Osceola (7-3) fell 21-14 to Lakeland to lose the district championship on Nov. 7 and then won at Oviedo 49-24. The game that might mean the most, though, is the team’s 16-14 loss on Sept. 12 to East Ridge. Knowing now that East Ridge is a 6A behemoth, it’s clear that Osceola’s ability to hang in that one is impressive. The offense hasn’t been as strong this year, but the defense has kept Osceola in all of its games.
Central Florida lacks strength in the 4A and 3A classes. In Class 2A, Orlando Jones is still playing. Jones travels to Jacksonville Bolles this Friday. The team to watch, though, is Bushnell’s South Sumter squad.
South Sumter (9-1) has defeated several 6A teams while scoring a load of points. The team averages 35 points per contest. The defense, too, is tough. That bodes well this Friday, when the team hosts Jacksonville Ribault. Expect Sumter to roll.
Other local teams in the playoffs include Winter Park’s Trinity Prep in 2B, Orlando First Academy in 1A and Deltona Trinity Christian, Daytona Beach Warner Christian, Orangewood Christian and Orlando Pine Castle Christian in 1B.
