An exhilarating atmosphere Friday in Sanford inspired Seminole during a fierce Sentinel Super 16 showdown against previously unbeaten Lake Mary.
Seminole (8-2) rallied from a 14-point deficit in the fourth quarter to pull out a 29-28 win and claim the Class 4 Metro District 2 championship.
The ‘Noles replaces the Rams (8-1) at No. 2 in the Super 16 rankings. Undefeated Edgewater (9-0) remains at No. 1 and Lake Mary is third followed by DeLand, Jones and Olympia.
“There’s no place like Seminole High School for football in Florida,” said Karl Calhoun Jr., former Seminole player and first-year head coach. “The crowd was great. They kept us in it and they kept us going.”
The ‘Noles are one of 11 Orlando area teams on a bye this week as the Florida High School Athletic Association regular season comes to a close.
Among the notable matchups Friday are Super 16 clashes between Orange County teams.
No. 5 Jones (6-3) hosts No. 11 Dr. Phillips (6-3) in a game featuring playoff-bound programs. The Tigers entered last week ranked No. 5 in 3M Region 1. DP was No. 5 in 4M Region 2.
No. 13 Wekiva (4-5) likely needs a rivalry win at No. 10 Apopka (6-3) to join Jones, Edgewater and No. 12 Oviedo as a 3M playoff qualifier.
A return trip to the playoffs for Apopka, a state runner-up three of the past four years, has never been in doubt while ranked no lower then No. 5 in 4M Region 1.
The Super 16 consists of schools in Orange, Seminole, Osceola, Lake and southwest Volusia counties. Last week’s ranking and win-loss records are included in parentheses.
Sentinel Super 16
1. Edgewater (9-0): Off last week. Next: Friday at Boone (5-4).
2. (3) Seminole (8-2): Javon Peterson intercepted a pass, forced a fumble and recorded a sack during 29-28 win vs. then-No. 2 Lake Mary (8-1). Next: Nov. 10, Class 4M quarterfinals.
3. (2) Lake Mary (8-1): Noah Grubbs went 15-for-25 passing for 265 yards, 3 TDs and one interception in 29-28 loss at then-No. 2 Seminole (8-2). Next: Friday at Daytona Beach Mainland (9-0).
4. DeLand (7-2): Quarterback TJ Moore and Javon Ross each rushed for 2 TDs and Bulldogs intercepted three passes in 41-7 win vs. New Smyrna Beach (6-3). Next: Friday at Flagler Palm Coast (3-6).
5. Jones (6-3): Seven players scored touchdowns as Tigers won 56-0 at Horizon (4-5). Jerrian Parker rushed six times for 130 yards. Next: Friday vs. No. 11 Dr. Phillips (6-3).
6. Olympia (7-2): Romelo Ware rushed for 303 yards and 4 TDs on 26 carries in 34-20 district-clinching win vs. then-No. 13 West Orange (3-6). Next: Friday at Groveland South Lake (2-7).
7 (8) Lake Minneola (6-3): Off last week. Next: Friday at Lakeland Lake Gibson (5-4).
8. (7) Winter Park (8-0): Noah Daniels intercepted a pass and forced a fumble as Wildcats claimed district title with 21-16 win at Timber Creek (3-6). Next: Friday at Lake Brantley (2-7).
9. Orange City University (8-1): Mason Moore tallied two sacks and Nathan Thomas returned a fumble for touchdown during 42-21 win vs. Lyman (6-4). Next: Friday at Deltona (1-8).
10. Apopka (6-3): Jayden Safford, Nathan Jenkins III and Reggie McBride rushed for TDs as Blue Darters won 33-13 at Evans (4-5). Next: Friday vs. No. 13 Wekiva (4-5).
11. Dr. Phillips (6-3): Stanley Anderson passed for two touchdowns and rushed for another during 27-19 win at then-No. 14 Ocoee (4-6). Next: Friday at No. 5 Jones (6-3).
12. Oviedo (7-2): Cameron Keels (2 receiving TDs) was among eight players who found the end zone for Lions in 63-0 win vs. Winter Springs (0-9). Next: Friday vs. Hagerty (6-3).
13. (NR) Wekiva (4-5): Off last week. Next: Friday at No. 10 Apopka (6-3).
14. (15) Leesburg (8-1): Off last week. Next: Monday vs. Dover Specially Fit Academy (5-1); Nov. 10, Class 3S quarterfinals.
15. (16) Bishop Moore (6-3): David Coleman and Riley Boudreau intercepted passes and Hornets recorded three sacks in 56-7 win vs. Lake Buena Vista (4-4). Next: Friday at Lakeland Kathleen (1-8).
16. (14) Ocoee (4-6): Tavion Greaves, Joshua Guerrier and Zion Hall had receiving TDs, but Knights rally fell short in 27-19 loss vs. No. 11 Dr. Phillips (6-3). Next: Regular season complete.
Next in line: 17. Evans (4-5), 18. West Orange (3-6), 19. Osceola (3-6), 20. Boone (5-4).
This article originally appeared on OrlandoSentinel.com. Email J.C. Carnahan at jcarnahan@orlandosentinel.com.
