The first round of the high school football playoffs kicked off Friday night with 14 region quarterfinal games involving Orlando area schools.
The lineup included six games pitting local teams against each other. There were three rematches from regular-season play: Evans at Apopka, Dr. Phillips at Olympia and Kissimmee Osceola at Treasure Coast.
Lake Mary and Edgewater entered the week as the area’s two regional top seeds — which made them favorites to reach the final four in their classifications.
Edgewater rolled on Friday but Lake Mary had all it could handle in a road game at Boone.
This year’s state finals on Dec. 7-9 move to Bragg Memorial Stadium in Tallahassee. That may mark the end of the FHSAA’s short-lived plan separating football teams into Metro and Suburban classifications for the 2022 and 2023 seasons.
The format is likely to be replaced in a board-of-directors’ vote next month in exchange for a new concept that will create an Open Division bracket for the highest-ranked 16 or 32 teams.
Orlando Christian Prep (9-1), ranked No. 7 in Class 1M, is the one area playoff participant that did not play this week. The Warriors will host Providence School (7-3) of Jacksonville in next Friday’s region semifinal round.
Below are Friday’s matchups with seeding numbers and win-loss records in parentheses.
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Football Preview: FHSAA playoffs kick off for Orlando area teams
No. 1 Lake Mary 42, No. 8 Boone 38
By Chris Martucci
When Dylan Wilson intercepted the ball with 1:01 remaining, the entire Lake Mary sideline and contingent of fans jumped in ecstasy.
After an unexpected challenge, they could celebrate a hard-earned victory against underdog Boone (5-6) in a Class 4M Region 1 quarterfinal.
On a night where they did not play their best football at the start with three turnovers, the Rams (10-1) found a way to overcome a spirited opponent.
Lake Mary trailed throughout the night until Carson Hinshaw caught a 14-yard touchdown to put the Rams ahead for good.
“I’m proud of my guys for fighting the entire game and never giving up until we took the lead,” said Lake Mary coach Scott Perry. “We earned an advance to next week, so I’m happy about that. We’ve got to get better so we can earn another one.”
Noah Grubbs was once again the center of the Lake Mary offense. He threw five touchdown passes — three going to Caden Harshbarger — and rushed for a TD of his own while finishing with 516 yards passing and two interceptions.
Harshbarger finished with 340 receiving yards.
Lake Mary, ranked No. 1 in Class 4 Metro, is the top seed in its region. The Rams will host Jacksonville Mandarin (8-3) next Friday. Lake Mary beat the Mustangs 34-16 in a Sept. 29 home game.
The Rams traveled to No. 8 Boone due to an FHSAA stipulation that grants district champions the right to host first-round games vs. an at-large team that did not win a district.
As 4M’s No. 1 seed, Lake Mary is guaranteed to host the region final and a state semifinal game if it advances.
These are the in-game updates:
TOUCHDOWN: Carson Hinshaw put Lake Mary in front for the first time tonight with a 14-yard reception. Extra point good. Lake Mary leads 42-38. 1:43 remaining.
Boone fumbles and Lake Mary recovers in the red zone. 4:24 to go.
TOUCHDOWN: Noah Grubbs notched a rushing touchdown with a 4-yard scamper. Extra point good. Boone leads 38-35. 6:12 4Q
Lake Mary with the flea-flicker to set themselves up in a goal-to-go situation.
But Blake Bolger’s 42-yard field goal attempt for Boone was blocked. Lake Mary took over at its 41 with 7:24 remaining. Boone leads 38-28.
A huge interception. Boone’s CJ Nassar picked off a Grubbs pass and took it all the way to the Lake Mary 28.
TOUCHDOWN: Isaiah Mizell made it four TD receptions with an electrifying 56-yard catch-and-run. Extra point good. Boone leads 38-28. 8:43 4Q.
TOUCHDOWN: Lake Mary made sure that Boone knew they weren’t going away as Noah Grubbs threw his fourth touchdown pass. Extra point good. Boone lead is 31-28. 9:37 4Q.
TOUCHDOWN: Isaiah Mizell and Sam Johnson connected for the third time – this time for a 68-yard catch-and-run after the Boone defense stood tall and forced a fumble. Extra point good. Boone ups lead to 31-21. 10:25 remaining.
End of 3Q: Boone 24, Lake Mary 21.
On fourth-and-goal, Noah Grubbs bobbled the snap and Jadon Frick was there to scoop it up for Boone. Huge stop. First down Boone at their 12 with 26 seconds to go in 3Q.
Turnover on downs. Lake Mary takes over at its own 36. 3:20 in 3Q. Boone still leads 24-21.
Sam Johnson had Isaiah Mizell in the end zone but the ball bounced off his hands. Fourth down for Boone.
Boone facing a big third down at the Lake Mary 32. 3:33 left in the 3Q.
Lake Mary’s 34-yard field goal attempt misses. Boone defense held strong. Boone takes over at their 20. 7:46 3Q
Lake Mary with the onside kick recovery. Rams to start the drive at the Boone 20-yard line.
TOUCHDOWN: Caden Harshbarger got the hat trick with a 21-yard reception for his third touchdown to put Lake Mary back in the game. Extra point good. Boone leads 24-21. 9:39 3Q.
Kansas City Chiefs punter and Boone High School alum Tommy Townsend is at the stadium. He was in the locker room giving a halftime speech to the players.
At halftime: Boone 24, Lake Mary 14
TOUCHDOWN: Lake Mary only needed four plays and 36 seconds to march down the field and score with just 24 seconds to go in the first half. All four passes from Noah Grubbs went to Caden Harshbarger, who caught the 10-yard touchdown pass. Extra point good. Boone leads 24-14.
Boone’s Blake Bulger kicked a 33-yard field goal to cap off a 14-play, 99-yard drive for the Braves. That chewed off 6:49 from the clock. 24-7 Boone with a minute to go in the first half.
A Boone offside gave Lake Mary better position for the punt. The Rams initially managed to pin Boone at their 1-yard-line but it has been ruled a touchback after further discussion. 7:49 2Q.
TOUCHDOWN: Isaiah Mizell did it again on fourth down with a 33-yard reception. Extra point good. 21-7 Boone. 10:05 2Q.
End of 1Q: Boone leads Lake Mary 14-7.
Tyson Darden finally came away with an interception on Lake Mary QB Noah Grubbs. Boone takes over at the Lake Mary 38.
TOUCHDOWN: Daniel Smith looked shot out of a cannon as he rumbled 21 yards to the end zone to put Boone back in front. Extra point good. Boone 14, Lake Mary 7. Just 37 seconds remaining in the first quarter.
Boone quarterback Sam Johnson tried to hit Mizell deep but it fell incomplete. Punter Teddy Goss then pinned Lake Mary deep in its own territory with a 64-yard punt. 7-7; 5:43 in 1Q.
TOUCHDOWN: What a time for Noah Grubbs to get his first completion – a 49-yard catch-and-run throw to Caden Harshbarger. Extra point good. 7-7. 6:49.
Isaiah Thomas took a big hit after a 13-yard gain and is limping off the field. A personal foul on the tackle put Lake Mary in Boone territory.
Timeout Boone. Lake Mary looking out of sorts on offense to start the game. Noah Grubbs has missed his first three passes.
TOUCHDOWN: The first big punch belonged to underdog Boone – a 59-yard catch-and-run by Isaiah Mizell. Extra point good. 7-0 Boone. 8:46 1Q.
Boone was forced to punt after an ineligible receiver downfield penalty doomed their drive. And Lake Mary also had to punt on fourth down. Noah Grubbs’ first two pass attempts were nearly intercepted.
This was the first time these teams met since Boone beat the Rams 10-3 in 2007 and 26-7 in 2008 regular season games.
No. 5 Jacksonville Mandarin 29, No. 4 Winter Park 16
By Nate Marrero
Winter Park’s undefeated season came to a screeching halt in the 4M Region 1 quarterfinals at Showalter Field.
The Mustangs (8-3) took the lead early and never trailed.
“I’m so proud of what they accomplished and what they did and how hard they worked,” Winter Park coach Tim Shifflet said. “We graduated 26 seniors last year and had a great team. At the beginning of the year, not a lot of guys gave these guys a chance or any respect. For them to go undefeated and accomplish what they accomplished, it’s just amazing. I can’t be more proud of them as a group.”
The Wildcats (9-1) were the only undefeated team in the 4M playoff bracket.
They got off to a rough start, as Mandarin began its first drive at Winter Park’s 34-yard line, then started its next possession at the 24-yard line after recovering a fumble on a botched snap. Both drives culminated in rushing touchdowns and two-point conversions for a 16-0 lead seven minutes into the game.
“You’re in the playoffs against a really good football team,” Shifflet said. “You’ve got to come out ready to go. You’ve got to come out gangbusters. You can’t fall down and go back a touchdown or two.”
Senior running back Joseph Goho scored both of the Wildcats’ touchdowns.
These are the in-game updates:
TOUCHDOWN: Winter Park’s Joseph Goho scored on a 1-yard run then punched it in on the 2-point conversion. Mandarin leads Winter Park 29-16 with 2:28 left.
End of the third quarter: Mandarin still leads Winter Park 22-8
Halftime: Mandarin leads Winter Park 22-8
TOUCHDOWN: On fourth-and-goal, Winter Park running back Joseph Goho was initially stopped short before reaching over the goal line. The Wildcats 2-point conversion was good. Mandarin now leads 22-8 with 5:06 left in the 1st half.
TOUCHDOWN: Tyron Summerall took the Tramell Jones pass into the end zone after bouncing off of a Winter Park defender for a 31-yard score. Mustangs lead 22-0 with 9:43 left in the 1st half. 2-point conversion was no good.
End of the 1st quarter: Mandarin leads 16-0 and is near midfield to start the 2nd quarter
TOUCHDOWN: On 3rd-and-18 from Winter Park’s 20-yard line, Mandarin’s Tramell Jones made multiple defenders miss and dove into the end zone for a touchdown. The 2-point conversion was good and the Mustangs lead 16-0 with 4:56 left in the 1st quarter. Drive was set up by a Winter Park fumble that Mandarin recovered at the Wildcats’ 24-yard line
TOUCHDOWN: Mandarin’s Tiant Wyche scores first on a 5-yard-run. Mustangs lead 8-0 with 10:02 left in the 1st quarter. Mandarin was aided by a short field and a fumble recovered by WP being overturned.
No. 2 Sanford Seminole 42, No. 7 Hagerty 3
By Max Gamarra
Host Seminole (9-2) overpowered Hagerty in a 42-3 lopsided victory in Class 4M Region 1. Senior QB Karson Siqueiros-Laskey had a field day for the ‘Noles.
“Karson Siqueiros-Laskey is one of the best quarterbacks in the state of Florida,” Seminole coach Karl Calhoun Jr. said. “He’s been that; he’s a two-time state champion. He’s our QB1. We’re so happy for him and he’s just having the season he deserves, and I’m just so proud and so happy to have him as our quarterback.”
Siqueiros-Laskey threw for four of Seminole’s six first-half touchdowns as the ‘Noles built a 42-0 halftime lead. He threw TDs to three receivers including two to senior WR Justin Rosado. The game clock ran for the entire second half due to Seminole’s dominance in the first.
This season, Seminole has built its game around a motto, “IOU,” that Calhoun brought to the team. He said that the letters stand for “It’s only us,” and they have helped the team get through tough times.
“Through all the adversity, injuries and things going on with the team personally, it really is only us and we need to stand for each other and fight for each other,” Calhoun Jr. said. “I think the guys have really used that for momentum throughout, and it really means a lot to us because its built a deeper brotherhood within the players, coaches and community. It showed tonight. The guys really played together and played for each other.”
Seminole will host Apopka in a regional semifinal on Friday at 7 p.m.
The ‘Noles improved to 10-1 in first-round playoff games since its first of two state titles in 2008. The only loss came against Apopka in 2017.
These are the in-game reports:
End of 3Q: Seminole 42, Hagerty 3, with running clock.
Hagerty finally got on the board with a 44-yard field goal from junior Gavin Zinnert. Seminole 42, Hagerty 3 with 1:50 in 3Q.
A fumbled snap from Seminole led to Hagerty taking possession on its own 45-yard line.
Seminole started the second half with sophomore Jeysen Williams subbing in at quarterback.
Halftime: Seminole 42, Hagerty 0.
TOUCHDOWN: Seminole senior QB Karson Siqueiros-Laskey picked up another touchdown to cap off the first half, this time finding junior WR Kenyon Holden who caught the ball over a defender for a 30-yard touchdown. Seminole 42, Hagerty 0 with 13.8 seconds in 2Q.
Hagerty’s best drive of the night ended with an incompletion on 4th-and-5 from the Seminole 25-yard line. Seminole took over on downs up 35-0 with 1:01 in 2Q.
TOUCHDOWN: On the first play after the interception, Seminole senior QB Karson Siqueiros-Laskey found senior WR Justin Rosado wide open in the end zone for a 6-yard touchdown. PAT was good. Seminole 35, Hagerty 0 with 2:45 in 2Q.
Hagerty junior QB Caden Mitchell threw an interception to Seminole senior DB Da’mun Allen who returned it to the Hagerty 6-yard line.
Seminole senior QB Karson Siqueiros-Laskey returned to the game for a 4th-and-long in Hagerty territory. He took the snap and delivered a pooch punt that was downed at the Hagerty 8-yard line.
Seminole junior QB David Parks replaced senior QB Karson Siqueiros-Laskey with the team up 28-0. Siqueiros-Laskey could be seen talking with teammates on the sideline and it did not seem injury related.
TOUCHDOWN: Seminole senior RB Treyvin Clark added to the lead after he broke through a Hagerty tackle attempt for a 21-yard touchdown run. PAT was good. Seminole 28, Hagerty 0 with 10:38 in 2Q.
End of 1Q: Seminole 21, Hagerty 0.
TOUCHDOWN: Seminole junior RB Rodney Grant III got in on the action with a 7-yard touchdown run right up the middle. PAT was good. Seminole 21, Hagerty 0 with 2:20 in 1Q.
TOUCHDOWN: Seminole senior QB Karson Siqueiros-Laskey scrambled long enough for senior WR Justin Rosado to break away from his defender. Siqueiros-Laskey hit him in stride down the right sideline for a 32-yard touchdown. PAT was good. Seminole 14, Hagerty 0 with 5:49 in 1Q.
Seminole senior DL Preston Watson looked as though he was shot out of a cannon on 3rd-and-17 as he took down Hagerty junior QB Caden Mitchell for a sack that forced a punt.
TOUCHDOWN: On the first play from scrimmage, Seminole senior QB Karson Siqueiros-Laskey took a deep shot to senior WR Michael Key who caught the pass for a 32-yard touchdown. PAT was good. Seminole 7, Hagerty 0 with 11:45 in 1Q.
Seminole kicked off to Hagerty to start the game. Hagerty’s returner fumbled the kickoff and the ‘Noles recovered on the 32-yard line.
This was the first meeting of these Seminole Athletic Conference members since the ‘Noles won 37-19 in the 2014 regular season.
Pictures:New District 2 Champions Seminole HS beat Lake Mary HS 29-28.
No. 3 Apopka 22, No. 6 Evans 13
By Jeff Gardenour
Apopka’s defense and special teams made the big plays through three quarters, and then the Blue Darters’ offense got going.
Sparked by the running of quarterback Tyson Davison, Apopka (8-3) scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns at home to muscle past upset-minded Evans 22-13 in a Class 4M Region 1 quarterfinal.
Jayden Safford’s 1-yard TD run with 4:17 left gave the Blue Darters a 22-13 lead and a little breathing room as the teams battled it out physically all night.
Apopka’s defense forced two fumbles and a turnover-on-downs on a bad punt snap. The Blue Darters also jumped on a loose ball during an Evans punt return near the end of the game to stop another drive.
Chris Peterson ran for more than 80 yards and two TDs to lead Evans (5-5). Apopka plays Seminole next in the regional semifinals.
“Evans came to play,” Apopka coach Jeff Rolson said. “We knew they would. They have pride and they play hard. Our kids battled and did what we needed to do.”
Antwone Robinson scored late in the first quarter on a punt block and recovery in the end zone to give Apopka an 8-0 lead. It was a strange opening 12 minutes as Apopka ran only three offensive plays.
Evans, which struggled with hanging onto the ball all night, lost a fumble on its first drive after reaching Apopka’s 43-yard line. After the punt block on the Trojans’ next series, Peterson scored on a 14-yard run around the right end to cut the Darters’ lead to 8-7 with 8:10 left in the second quarter.
After a scoreless third quarter, Davison scored on a 22-yard TD run with 10:31 left to give Apopka a 15-7 lead. That came after Evans blew a punt snap and turned the ball over on downs.
Four plays later, Peterson scored on a 41-yard TD run but was tackled on the ensuing 2-point conversion, leaving Apopka ahead 15-13.
The Darters then put together an 8-play, 55-yard scoring drive capped by Safford’s run.
Evans and Apopka both finished with around 165 total yards. Davison finished with around 70 yards rushing.
“The season was a success,” Evans coach Karlos Odum said. “We’re building. I felt we outplayed them all night. They just took advantage of what they’re supposed to do. That’s what a playoff team does. They’re seasoned and we’re new [to this].”
Apopka will play at Sanford Seminole next week in a Class 4M Region 1 quarterfinal.
The Blue Darters, making their 23rd consecutive playoff appearance, are 12-1 in first-round games since 2012.
Apopka has owned this rivalry, winning its past 17 games against the Trojans. That includes a 33-13 regular-season victory this year that was tight going into the second half.
These are the in-game reports:
TOUCHDOWN: Apopka scores on a Jayden Safford 1-yard run. PAT good. Apopka leads Evans 22-13 with 4:17 left.
TOUCHDOWN: Evans QB Chris Peterson scampers 41 yards for TD. The Trojans played for the tie but Apopka stopped Peterson’s two-point conversion run. Blue Darters lead 15-13 with 9:26 left.
TOUCHDOWN: Tyson Davison runs up the middle 22 yards for a TD. Apopka leads Evans 15-7 with 10:31 to go in the game.
Evans bobbles punt and Apopka takes over at Evans 27 with 11:28 left
End of 3Q: Apopka 8, Evans 7.
It’s a fierce defensive duel here. Not a big surprise. Apopka up 8-7. Evans only 82 offensive yards, Apopka 62, at the half.
TOUCHDOWN: Evans QB Chris Peterson 14-yard TD right end 8:10 left, 2Q, Apopka 8, Evans 7.
Apopka led 8-0 at the end of the first quarter.
TOUCHDOWN: Antwone Robinson blocked a punt and recovered the ball in the zone for a TD. Reggie McBride’s two-point conversion run makes it Apopka 8, Evans 0 with 58 seconds to go in the first quarter.
No. 6 Dr. Phillips 17, No. 3 Olympia 15
By J.C. Carnahan
Dr. Phillips has not yet played its best football this fall, according to long-time head coach Rodney Wells.
“We still haven’t clicked in all three phases of the game,” Wells said after his team gutted out a 4M Region 2 playoff rivalry win at Olympia.
“We still haven’t gotten all the receivers and running backs involved,” he said. “The defense has played well, but we still haven’t reached our goal of three turnovers in every game, and we haven’t scored on special teams.”
The Panthers (7-4) scored their first postseason win since 2019 though and earned another chance at putting it all together next week at No. 2 seed Tampa Plant (9-2) in a region semifinal.
Olympia’s 31-21 win on Oct. 21 at DP was its second football victory in as many years against the Panthers after losing 19 in a row.
The Titans (8-3) led 9-3 at the break Friday before the teams opened the second half by trading turnovers and touchdowns.
The Panthers took the lead for good on a 6-yard run through the left side of the line by Amari Major with 11 seconds to go in the third quarter.
Major left the game with an injury and did not return.
Olympia possessed the ball two more times from there. An 11-play drive, which featured a fourth-down conversion, ended in a punt. Then after getting the ball back at DP’s 40, a pass to a wide open receiver inside the 5-yard line on fourth-and-long was underthrown with 1:39 to spare.
DP quarterback Stanley Anderson broke off a 33-yard run through the middle of the defense on third down to put the game away.
“It’s just great to be back and advance in the playoffs,” Wells said. “These seniors have been through so much with not making the playoffs the last couple years. Those guys work and they’re committed to each other and the program and they wanted to be here.”
Olympia’s Romelo Ware rushed 27 times for 188 yards and two touchdowns.
The Titans missed an extra-point attempt in the first half following a penalty. They later failed to convert on a 2-point conversion in the third quarter when a QB keeper was stuffed short of the goal line.
The Titans have a 1-9 playoff record. Olympia came in No. 6 in the Sentinel Super 16 rankings. DP is No. 12 on that list.
These are the in-game updates:
Olympia was rolling until a another bad exchange between quarterback and center put the ball on the ground. Titans went for it on 4th-and-10 from the 27 but the throw to a wide open receiver near the 5 fell short with 1:39 left.
Olympia forced a DP punt. Titans take over at Panther 40 with 4:13 left.
Olympia converted on 4th-and-short in DP territory on a run up the middle by Romelo Ware. A bobbled shotgun snap pushed the Titans back to the 46-yard line and they punted two plays later. DP takes over at its own 14 with 6:52 to play.
Heading into the fourth quarter: DP leads Olympia 17-15. Titans have ball at their own 27.
TOUCHDOWN: DP used the short field to return to the end zone on a 6-yard run through the left side of the line by Amari Major. Panthers lead Olympia 17-15 with 11 seconds left in 3rd.
TOUCHDOWN: Olympia quickly responded with a 3-play drive that ended on a 2-yard run by Romelo Ware. The 2-point conversion was stuffed just short of goal line. Titans lead DP 15-10 at 4:12 in 3rd. DP returns short kickoff to the Olympia 39.
TOUCHDOWN: DP now leads Olympia 10-9 following the INT after going 88 yards over 11 plays for a TD. Cameron Dixon scored on a sweep around the left side from 21 yards out with 5:23 to go in 3rd. Huge kick return by Eric Weems Jr. has Titans at the DP 43.
DP fumbled the ball away on the opening kickoff of the second half. Olympia took possession at the Panther 31-yard line but turned it back over on an interception by Orlendy Larosiliere when the ball bounced off of a Titan receiver.
HALFTIME: Olympia leads Dr. Phillips 9-3 in 4M Region 2 quarterfinal.
FIELD GOAL: DP’s Maliki Wright broke up a pass and Johnny Fudge III recorded a sack on 3rd down, but a facemask call on the play kept the Olympia drive alive. Titans stalled at the 7-yard line though and settled for a 28-yard FG by Nicolas Taboada with 17 seconds left in first half. Olympia leads 9-3.
DP was lined up for a 4th-and-1 at Olympia’s 47 but back-to-back penalties on Panthers forced a punt. Olympia has possession at its own 21 at 6:54 in 2nd quarter.
TOUCHDOWN: Olympia answered with a 70-yard drive that spanned 9 plays and ended with a 6-yard run by Romelo Ware. Titans got big gains from Ware and wideout Xavier Tucker on the drive. The PAT was no good following a penalty on Titans. Olympia leads DP 6-3 at 9:39 in 2nd. Panthers got a good return on kickoff and will start at their own 44.
FIELD GOAL: DP got down to the 13-yard line but settled for a 30-yard kick by Taylor Harris with 3:14 to go in 1st quarter. (The initial report Friday night misidentified the kicker as Gu-Morlly Charles.) DP leads Olympia 3-0.
Olympia went three-and-out to start the game when DP’s Jayden Buckannon batted down a pass in the backfield on 3rd down. Dr. Phillips went three-and-out following a sack by TD Cross, but a penalty on Olympia for roughing the punter gave the Panthers possession at the Titan 42.
Former UCF and NFL wide receiver Doug Gabriel is at Olympia tonight to see his alma mater Dr. Phillips face the Titans, who are coached by his brother Travis Gabriel. Doug Gabriel is an assistant this fall at The Master’s Academy. The Eagles play in the independent SSAA championship game Saturday at 7 p.m. in Lakeland.
No. 1 Edgewater 37, No. 8 Jacksonville First Coast 6
By Philip Rossman-Reich
Running backs Semaj Fleming and Kaden Shields-Dutton each rushed for two touchdowns, providing bookends of scoring plays for Edgewater (11-0) in its Class 3M quarterfinal win.
The Eagles took control early in the game with Fleming running in the first score from 6 yards out on the Eagles’ first drive. He would score on the next possession on a forward pitch from 5 yards.
Shields-Dutton took over in the second half, rushing for scores of 1 yard — after carrying three defenders with him for a 15-yard gain to the goal line — and 38 yards to cap the scoring. Shields-Dutton finished the game with 117 yards and 15 carries.
“Semaj is such a great football player, and he was tough tonight,” Edgewater coach Cam Duke said. “He battled. He was a little bit nicked, and he battled like crazy. I thought he looked great. Kaden Shields-Dutton is a big physical back and as the game wore on I thought he got better.”
Edgewater’s win, coupled with a victory by Jones, places those two Orlando rivals against each other again. The Eagles will host that region semifinal next Friday.
Edgewater beat Jones 31-13 in a September district game.
Edgewater’s defense pitched a shutout with starters leaving the game after the third quarter while the game was played under a running clock.
First Coast scored its only points on the game’s final play just before time expired. Before then, the closest the Buccaneers got was a 27-yard field goal attempt.
That kick was blocked, one of many disruptive plays for the Eagles.
Edgewater forced two turnovers, recovering a fumble after a bad snap near midfield on the game’s opening drive and picking off First Coast quarterback and Western Kentucky commit Rodney Tisdale Jr.
The Eagles also recorded three sacks, including one sequence that saw a bad snap sandwiched between two sacks before the Buccaneers snapped the ball over the punter’s head and into the end zone for a safety.
Edgewater quarterback Michael Clayton managed the game well with 150 pass yards, two touchdowns and one interception. He found AJ Howard for a 22-yard score just before halftime that gave the Eagles a 23-0 lead.
Edgewater is No. 1 in the Sentinel Super 16 area rankings after sweeping its regular season competition for the second straight year.
The Eagles are in the playoffs for the 20th time in a span of 23 seasons. They’re 7-0 in first-round play under seventh-year head coach Cameron Duke.
“Every week is going to be a battle, we know that,” Duke said. “I think these guys look forward to that.”
Here are the in-game updates:
TOUCHDOWN: Kaden Shields-Dutton gets us to a running clock, squeezing through the line and going for 38 yards and his second touchdown. Edgewater leads 37-0 with 1:07 left in the third quarter.
TOUCHDOWN: Kaden Shields-Dutton finished off the Edgewater drive with a 1-yard TD run after carrying several defenders on a 15-yard rush to the goal line. Eagles lead First Coast 30-0 with 5:15 left in the third quarter.
Interception: Rodney Tisdale Jr.’s pass is picked off by Edgewater’s Travailu Harrisn to set the Eagles up at the First Coast 33 midway through the third quarter.
Halftime: Edgewater leads 23-0.
TOUCHDOWN: Edgewater scored quickly after the safety. Michael Clayton found Semaj Fleming for a 23-yard gain and then hit AJ Howard for a 22-yard score. Eagles lead First Coast 23-0 with 1:38 to play in the second quarter.
SAFETY: After the turnover, Edgewater gets a sack from Jayden Alexander-Felton, a bad snap and another sack from Joshua Alexander-Felton to set up fourth-and-long. The snap on the punt goes over the punter’s head and out of the end zone. Edgewater leads 16-0 with 3:05 left in the second.
First Coast drove inside the 10-yard line but Lennoris Linder’s 27-yard field goal is blocked by Damon Troutman. Edgewater quickly moved past midfield with a 37-yard throw from Michael Clayton to Semaj Fleming. Eagles lead 14-0 with 6:38 left in the second quarter.
TOUCHDOWN: Edgewater struck quickly with Michael Clayton doing the forward toss to Semaj Fleming as he came across the formation. He scored from five yards out for his second touchdown of the game. Edgewater leads 14-0 with 11:05 left in the second.
End 1st Quarter: Edgewater forced a three and out and are driving deep into First Cost territory after Kaden Shields-Dutton picked up 12 yards on 3rd-and-nine inside the 20. Edgewater leads 7-0 after one quarter.
TOUCHDOWN: Michael Clayton found Christian Willis to convert a 3rd-and-16 to get inside the 10. Semaj Fleming took the direct snap six yards for the first score of the game. Edgewater 7, First Coast 0, 2:58 1st
TURNOVER: First Coast’s Rodney Tisdale cannot handle a high snap near midfield and Edgewater’s Jayden Alexander-Felton recovered to give Edgewater the ball just past midfield. 0-0, 6:56 1st Q.
No. 4 Jones 33, No. 5 Oviedo 7
By Chris Hays
Trever Jackson and Jerrian Parker scored two touchdowns apiece to spark Jones (8-3) in the road win.
The Tigers built a 26-0 lead before Oviedo got on the board with a 39-yard touchdown pass from Jackson LaTour to Marquet Williams, who made a tremendous catch despite defensive coverage.
Jones upped its playoff record to 13-4 dating to its 2019 state runner-up season. The Tigers will play at undefeated district rival Edgewater in a Class 3M Region 1 semifinal Friday.
Dropped balls hindered Oviedo all night, and the Jones defensive backs had a terrific game with numerous pass deflections.
“We felt confident coming in,” said Jones cornerback George Brown IV. “People have been saying the DBs are the weak point, so we had to go out there and prove them wrong tonight.”
Jones defensive backs Endravius McConico and Jacquez Varner had interceptions.
LaTour ended his career as Oviedo’s all-time leading passer. He passed former UCF and Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles on that list.
LaTour received an offer from McNeese State earlier this week. He will not sign until the February signing date.
“It feels great, knowing that I was able to put a stamp on the program. It stings tonight, but it does feel good, knowing what we accomplished here,” LaTour said.
Oviedo, which was ousted by the Tigers in a first-round game last year, finished 8-3.
Here are the in-game updates:
TOUCHDOWN:: Jones running back Jerrian Parker scored from 3 yards, his second touchdown of the night, and the Tigers lead Oviedo 33–7, 1:18 left in the game
Oviedo interception by DB Joey Gioia
Jones DB Jacquez Varner with an interception in the end zone. Jones still leads Oviedo 26-7 at 4:45 of the third quarter
TOUCHDOWN: Jones right back down the field, with Jacques Varner catching a 59-yard pass to the Oviedo 6-yard line. Trevor Jackson finished the drive with 6-yard run. PAT failed. Jones leads Oviedo 26-7
TOUCHDOWN: A Jones fumble was recovered by Oviedo’s Aiden Mahaffey at the Tigers 39. Two plays later, Jackson LaTour passed to Marquet Williams for a 39-yard touchdown to put the Lions on the board with 53 seconds remaining in first half. Jones leads 20 -7.
Jones forced a second turnover-on-downs and this time they start with the ball at their own 10-yard line.
TOUCHDOWN: Jones running back Jerrian Parker goes one yard to score and Jones leads Oviedo 20-0, 6:00 left 2nd quarter.
TOUCHDOWN: Jones running back Duante Wallace ran 39 yards for the score. Tigers lead Oviedo 14–0 at 9:05 of the second quarter
Oviedo missed a 33-yard field goal try.
TOUCHDOWN: Jones QB Trever Jackson scored on a 4-yard run. Tigers lead 7-0, 3:32 to go in the opening quarter.
No. 3 Bishop Moore 42, No. 6 Jacksonville Ed White 22
Bishop Moore (8-3), making its 16th consecutive playoff appearance, stretched its 2023 win streak to seven with the homefield win in a Class 2M Region 1 quarterfinal.
Senior running back Ladainian Sweeney scored 2 touchdowns. Junior QB Bjorn Jurgensen ran for 2 TDs and threw to Nolan Munroe for another score.
Defensive leaders were senior Omari Reid and sophomore Jake Kreul, who registered multiple sacks. Trenton Gummer added an interception and lengthy return.
The Hornets will travel next week to play at Jacksonville Riverside (9-2).
No. 2 Lake Minneola 35, No. 7 Haines 16
The host Hawks (8-3) have won eight of their past nine games after starting 0-2.
Lake Minneola is 9-3 in playoff games since 2019 and will be home again next week for a 4S Region 2 semifinal vs. No. 3 seed Wiregrass Ranch (9-2).
That record counts six playoff wins in its 2020 state runner-up season, during a COVID year where every school that wanted to participate made the playoffs.
No. 1 Port St. Lucie Treasure Coast 28, No. 8 Kissimmee Osceola 0
Osceola finished 4-7 with the Class 4 Suburban Region 3 quarterfinal road loss.
Treasure Coast (8-2), which is ranked No. 2 in 4S, beat the Kowboys 22-8 in a season opener. Osceola beat the Titans close in two 2022 games (14-5 and 10-7).
With the loss the Kowboys have a 21-5 all-time record in first-round playoff games.
No. 2 Orange City University 42, No. 7 New Smyrna Beach 0
University (10-1) forced five turnovers in the Class 4S Region 3 quarterfinal victory at Deltona High School.
The Titans will host West Volusia rival DeLand in Round 2 at a site to be determined. University does not have the seating capacity required by FHSAA playoff policy.
NSB finished 6-5.
First-year University head coach Justin Roberts has the Titans at No. 4 in the state 4S rankings. They spanked the Barracudas 41-7 on Sept. 29 as part of a big turnaround from a 3-7 season in 2022 that included a 7-0 loss to New Smyrna.
No. 3 DeLand 35, No. 6 Port Orange Spruce Creek 17
The Bulldogs (9-2) were down 10-7 midway through the third quarter at Spec Martin Stadium but dominated the rest of the way with senior playmaker Javon Ross running wild.
The game was tied 7-7 with 8:18 remaining in the first half.
DeLand, No. 6 in the 4S state power rankings, won eight of its final nine regular-season games, including a nail-biting 28-27 win at Spruce Creek (7-4) on Sept. 29.
The Bulldogs are 24-4 against the Hawks since 1989. That includes six consecutive victories.
No. 3 Leesburg 29, No. 6 Auburndale 19
Leesburg (10-1) enjoyed its first nine-win regular season since 1992 and on Friday added its second playoff victory since that year.
The 2013 Yellow Jackets defeated Daytona Beach Seabreeze in the first round.
Leesburg will play at Lake Wales (11-0), the reigning 3S state championship, next week.
No. 1 Cocoa 54, No. 8 Eustis 7
Eustis (7-4) drew the top-ranked team across all classifications in this Class 2S Region 3 quarterfinal.
Cocoa (10-1), which won the inaugural 2S title last year, has lost only to nationally-ranked St. Thomas Aquinas — and that was a disputed 37-36 loss in Fort Lauderdale.
High school football scoreboard with first-round playoff games for Orlando area teams
Varsity Content Editor Buddy Collings can be reached by email at bcollings@orlandosentinel.com.
