SEASON OUTLOOK
Defensive lineman Isaiah Beuhler
Photo by Marc Estrada
A road showdown against Byrnes is tough sledding for any team, even one as talented as Apopka. Byrnes will give the Blue Darters everything they can handle. A win would be quite impressive; a loss, not totally deflating.
Question mark: Can Apopka live up to the hype? Last year, coming off a 6-5 season, it caught people by surprise. Now, it will be the hunted.
Local look: The Orlando area features one of the nation's top junior running backs in Timber Creek's Jacques Patrick. Olympia, which beat Apopka last season, is the team's last regular season game. Dr. Phillips will be strong once again.
Overall outlook: With a wealth of starters back, Apopka should be very good in 2013. Capturing a second-straight Class 8A title will require another difficult playoff run. This team is capable of making such a run. After getting off to a 1-2 start last season, opening up with a victory against Byrnes would give Apopka tremendous momentum for the rest of its early schedule.
Coach quote: "It's a new year, never know how it comes together...You never know, is complacency going to set in?"
- Head coach Rick Darlington
