TFA takes down Lake Highland
The First Academy forced four first-half turnovers, leading the way to a hard-fought and historic 21-14 victory at Lake Highland Prep in high school football on Friday night.
The undefeated Royals (8-0) beat the Highlanders (6-3) for the first time in what was the first meeting between the Orlando private schools in 15 years. Lake Highland beat TFA in nine consecutive seasons (1994-2002) before the rivals went separate ways.
“I couldn't be more proud of this team,” Royals head coach Leroy Kinard said. “That's as good of a win as we've had in program history.”
TFA, which moved into the Class 3A state rankings at No. 5 this week, extended a 20-game regular-season win streak that dates to 2015.
First Academy safety Parker Mara ignited the turnover barrage with a fumble recovery midway through the first quarter. On the ensuing possession, Mara capped a six-play drive with a 1-yard touchdown run.
After leading 14-0 at halftime, TFA increased its advantage to 21-0 when quarterback Alex Eleyssami connected on a 30-yard strike to Alex Shields.
The throw marked Eleyssami's second TD pass of the game. The first went for 31 yards to junior Matt Edwards.
Lake Highland Prep, a 4A playoff contender, scored twice in the fourth quarter, but an unsuccessful onside kick ended any chance of a Highlander comeback.
With an overflow crowd watching, the host Seminole High Seminoles went on the warpath in their biggest game of the year.
Sentinel Super 16 No. 12 Seminole rolled up 583 total yards to knock off No. 9 Lake Mary 49-27 and win the 8A, District 2 championship for the second consecutive year.
Lake Mary (7-2, 5-1) trailed 35-27 early in the fourth quarter but the Seminoles (7-1, 5-1) scored 14 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to ice the win and clinch a playoff berth.
Senior Ed Key proved to be Seminole’s secret weapon, using his 6-foot-1, 305-pound frame to score on TD runs of 1, 4 and 5 yards. Freshman quarterback Timmy McClain passed for 258 yards and one TD, and Vernon Mamwell rushed for 175 yards and two TDs for the Seminoles, who got scoring from four players.
“This Monday, when we came into practice, we knew this game was going to be a dogfight,” Key said. “We had the toughest team.”
Lake Mary, which had its sevengame win streak snapped, could gain a wild-card playoff berth based on the FHSAA’s new points system.
The Rams were led by Brandon Brown, who had 189 yards passing and two TDs and 113 yards and another score rushing.
Makai Burris ran for 187 yards and two scores as undefeated Faith Christian won 34-21 at Master’s Academy in a Sunshine State Athletic Conference first-round playoff game.
Faith (9-0), enjoying its best season in its fifth year of football, held off a rally by the Eagles (5-4) to advance to a quarterfinal home game next week against Orangewood Christian (6-2).
Leading 7-0 at halftime, Faith scored 21 unanswered points on touchdowns by sophomore quarterback Ty Poorman, Burris and sophomore wideout Andre Cooper.
It was Master’s turn in the final frame as its sophomore quarterback Brandon Fitez threw TD passes to sophomore Tyson Mobley and connected with eighth-grader Terrance Gibbs on a 42-yard catch-and-run to pull the Eagles (5-4) to within 28-21 with 3:30 remaining.
Burris broke open a 54-yard run to make it 34-21 with 2:17 remaining and Faith recovered its onside kick as it iced the game. Faith recovered its own onside kick at midfield and backup quarterback Nathan Henderson’s clock-killing 33-yard keeper iced the game for the Lions.