Wekiva rates edge over Apopka
The First Academy and Foundation Academy join the high school football playoff field Friday for region semifinal games. Both teams earned byes last week as No. 2 seeds in their respective regions.
Just nine area teams remain in the FHSAA postseason. Class 8A’s Apopka at Wekiva game will serve as the lone all-local matchup this week.
Varsity reporter J.C. Carnahan tells you what to watch for in the second round and takes a shot at predicting winners in games involving area schools.
Teams are listed with current overall records and seedings in their regions as determined by the FHSAA power points system. Check for score updates at @OSVarsity on Twitter and our live scoreboard at SentinelVarsity.com.
Winter Park junior Casey Case has thrown for 1,020 yards and 15 TDs since taking over for injured Gino English in the fourth game of the year. Mandarin beat DeLand twice and also owns wins over Apopka and Flagler Palm Coast. Christian Warren has compiled 16.5 sacks and averages a team-best 8 tackles per game for Bulldogs. Pick: Winter Park No. 4 Dr. Phillips (6-5) at No. 1 Vero Beach (11-0)
Dr. Phillips, the reigning state champ, beat Vero Beach 34-24 at home in the 2016 region finals en route to a state runner-up finish. Japerri Powell set a new DP record last week by forcing the 10th fumble of his career. Kentucky commit DeMarcus Harris leads passhappy Vero Beach with 63 catches for 1,463 yards and 16 TDs. Winner plays No. 3 Sarasota Riverview (8-3) or No. 7 Bradenton Manatee (7-4). Pick: Vero Beach No. 3 Jones (10-1) at No. 2 Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons (9-2)
Jones seeks its first postseason win vs. Cardinal Gibbons after losses in 2017 (43-30) and 1990 (24-20). The Tigers extended their win streak to 10 by beating Bishop Moore 14-7 in what was their lowest scoring output since losing 17-3 at Wekiva. Cardinal Gibbons has tallied 31 sacks as a team. No. 1 Rockledge (10-1) or No. 5 Plantation American Heritage (9-1) awaits the winner. Pick: Jones No. 3 Daytona Beach Father Lopez (9-2) at No. 2 The First Academy (8-1)
Rolous Frazier III has reached the end zone four different ways this season for TFA. The senior has rushed for 968 yards and 17 TDs while also scoring twice on receptions and once each on punt and kick returns. Father Lopez won its first playoff game since 1984 last week. Winner plays No. 1 West Palm Beach King’s Academy (9-1) or No. 5 Melbourne Holy Trinity (6-4). Pick: The First Academy Cornelius Shaw, who has rushed for 1,587 yards and 12 TDs. Pick: Victory
No. 3 Zephyrhills Christian (7-3) at No. 2 Foundation Academy (8-2)
Senior Grayson Wagner has 35 catches for 622 yards and 5 TDs and sophomore Danny Stutsman has 33 catches for 594 yards and 11 TDs for Foundation. Zephyrhills, which has allowed just 96 total points, is led by senior Javion Hanner with 1,201 yards rushing and 7 TDs. Pick: Zephyrhills Christian Orlando Christian Prep (8-2) vs. Bradenton St. Stephen’s (10-1), Saturday, 7 p.m. #
The Florida Bowl will be played at Master’s Academy in Oviedo, with St. Stephen’s entering as the two-time defending SSAC state champs with a 30-2 record over the past three seasons. OCP has been dominant over its past five outings while outscoring teams by a combined 227-73 margin. Pick: Orlando Christian Prep