The Blue Darters are out to an 11-0 start to the season, shutting out seven teams along the way. Last year Apopka lost 2-1 in overtime in the region finals to eventual Class 6A champion Palm Harbor University.

“I’ve just been astonished by the talent of this group,” Apopka Coach Doug Matthews said. “I knew we had a good team returning but was concerned how deep the talent would run.”

Matthews says the key to the program’s success in recent years has been the way upperclassman have taken the younger players under their wings. That’s helped develop a seemingly natural rhythm out on the field and complemented their unselfish play this season.

Three four-year starters, including last year’s starting goalkeeper Shanel Bodden, lead Apopka’s defense. Bodden’s move to the field has allowed for talented freshmen Taylor Stewart to take over in the net.

Stewart is one of eight freshmen on the team, along with six sophomores and one junior. It’s quite a contrast to the team that featured five seniors a year ago.

“I’ve been very happy with the skill level of this year’s freshmen group that made the varsity team,” said Matthews.

And there is plenty to be happy about. As solid as the team has been on defense, it’s been just as good offensively.

Sophomore Selena Jaimes has 18 goals and 12 assists through 11 games, while freshman Lauren Green has 18 goals and six assists and freshman Mari Cirilo has 11 goals and 11 assists.

“As far as the offense goes, this team has done some impressive things so far,” said Matthews.

– (email JC@OrlandoSportsCentral.com or follow @OrlandoSportsJC and Carnahan Chronicles) –

Oak Ridge (8-3) is at Dr. Phillips (11-0), Winter Park (11-0) is at Seminole (9-2), and DeLand (9-2) is at Orange Park (7-4) in Class 6A games. Oviedo defeated Osceola 10-0 in Class 5A and hosts this week against Lakeland, who beat Hagerty 56-35. Bishop Moore (9-2) hosts two-time defending Class 2A champion Cocoa. Lake Highland Prep (9-2) defeated Fort Meyers Dunbar 20-6 in Class 2B and will host Island Coast.

Last week the season ended for a couple local teams. East River lost 27-7 on the road against Lakeland Lake Gibson in 5A and Jones lost to Cocoa 14-9.

In other action… South Daytona Warner Christian (11-0) defeated Orangewood Christian 60-6 in Class 1B. Daytona Beach Mainland lost to Orange Park 29-28 in Class 6A. The First Academy lost 42-20 against Jacksonville Trinity Christian in 2A.

All second round games begin at 7:30 p.m. Keep up with all the action at Varsity Sports, WFTV Channel 9 and Bright House Sports Network.

Below is a look back at last week’s first round involving state-ranked teams, with a little help from those that covered each game for the Orlando Sentinel.

– Class 6A –

Dr. Phillips 52, Olympia 3

The Panthers defeated Olympia for the fourth time over the past two seasons by building a 24-3 lead at halftime…

Wrote Kyle Hightower:

“Running back Demetrius Hart rushed for 118 yards and accounted for three touchdowns – two rushing, one receiving – to lead the Panthers… Quarterback Nick Patti was also spot-on, connecting on 5-of-8 passes for 181 yards and three scores. He also ran in another.”

Oak Ridge 34, Apopka 14

The Pioneers won their first playoff game since 1977 by getting out to a 28-7 lead at halftime…

Wrote Joe Williams:

“Dominating may not be a strong enough word to describe Oak Ridge in the first half. Oak Ridge had 286 yards of total offense to Apopka’s 53… Only a lapse on special teams allowed Apopka to score.”

Winter Park 35, Lake Brantley 21

Wildcats’ quarterback Sam Richardson got banged late in the first quarter while his team trailed by a touchdown, but returned to lead Winter Park to the win…

Wrote Buddy Collings:

“Winter Park again had difficulty holding a big fourth-quarter lead against Lake Brantley on Friday. But again the Wildcats were able to respond at crunch time. Undefeated Winter Park marched 80 yards to seal a 35-21 victory over the Patriots with an 8-yard touchdown run by Brandon Brown-Dukes with 1:44 remaining.”

Seminole 46, Timber Creek 14

The Seminoles took control late in the first half as T.J. Thompson passed for 217 yards and three touchdowns…

Wrote Carlos Pineda:

“The Seminoles broke away with 4 minutes, 37 seconds left in the second quarter when Ronnie Moore scored on a 53-yard run to give them a 17-7 lead.”

DeLand 6, Jacksonville Sandalwood 0

A touchdown run by Jo Jo Kemp in the first quarter, set up by a big interception return by De’Ante Saunders, held up for DeLand…

Wrote Craig Castille:

“LB Joe Herndon’s goalline interception on fourth down with 20 seconds remaining sealed a 6-0 victory for DeLand.”

– Class 4A –

Lakeland Kathleen 27, Edgewater 24

Edgewater could not hang on to a 23-12 lead at home with eight minutes remaining…

Wrote Bill Gronvold:

“A 92-yard pass play… with 1 minute, 12 seconds left Friday night lifted Lakeland Kathleen past host Edgewater. Aaron Baysdon caught the ball around midfield, broke two tackles and then ran the rest of the way for the score.”

– Class 2A –

Bishop Moore 25, Astronaut 7

The Hornets get the two-time defending state champs from Cocoa at home this week after getting out to a 25-0 lead on Friday…

Wrote Jeff Gardenour:

“Senior QB Mike Calabro passed for a TD and ran for another score, and Bishop Moore’s defense forced four turnovers in beating visiting Titusville Astronaut.”

– (email JC@OrlandoSportsCentral.com or follow @OrlandoSportsJC and Carnahan Chronicles) –

On Friday a number of top-ranked teams from the Orlando area open the first round of the playoffs. With so much talent entered into the field, some intriguing matchups will get the postseason in motion.

– In Class 6A there are five local teams ranked in the state’s Top 10, led by No. 2 Dr. Phillips (10-0). No. 4 Winter Park (10-0), No. 5 Apopka (9-1), No. 9 East Ridge (8-2) and No. 10 Olympia (7-3) round out the list. East Ridge did not advance out of District 5.

This week Dr. Phillips hosts Olympia; Winter Park hosts No. 14 Lake Brantley (7-2); Apopka hosts Oak Ridge (7-3); No. 11 DeLand (8-2) hosts Jacksonville Sandalwood; and No. 13 Seminole (8-2) hosts Timber Creek (4-6).

– In Class 4A, No. 12 Edgewater (7-3) hosts Lakeland Kathleen. The Eagles won District 7 over second-year East River (9-1), who will be on the road against Lakeland Lake Gibson.

– In Class 2A, No. 5 Jones (9-1) is on the road against Cocoa while No. 6 Bishop Moore (8-2) hosts Titusville Astronaut. Bishop Moore won District 4 with a one-point win over the Tigers.

All games begin at 7:30 p.m. Keep up with all the action at Varsity Sports, WFTV Channel 9 and Bright House Sports Network.

– (email JC@OrlandoSportsCentral.com or follow @OrlandoSportsJC and Carnahan Chronicles) –

Moments before, Beary’s first season at South Carolina was capped off in a big way as he played a bit part in a Gamecocks rally that ended in a national championship, following an 11 inning, 2-1 win in Game 2 of a best-of-three series against UCLA.

It was the fifth time this postseason that South Carolina had to come from behind as the school wrapped up its first baseball title in program history.

Robert Beary

“Knowing that was going to be the last World Series there, people were asking me to bring them back some dirt,” said Beary. “I had to get some for myself, too.”

Although the CWS remains in Omaha, Neb., Tuesday’s game was the last to be played at the current location.

And Beary helped make it a memorable finale.

He scored the tying run in the bottom of the eighth inning after being called upon to pinch run at first base for Brady Thomas, who reached safely on a grounder. Beary then sped to second on a groundout to third and was soon tested by the Bruins pitcher, who faked a pickoff attempt in his direction.

Seven pitches later teammate Bobby Haney bounced a grounder off the glove of the UCLA first baseman, giving Beary all the time he needed to round third and cross home plate to even up the score. He would later strike out in his only appearance at the plate.

This type of outing was not uncommon for Beary, who throughout the season was selectively called upon when needed, as opposed to being the everyday player he grew up as in the past.

A regular in starting lineups throughout high school and over the past two seasons at Pensacola Community College, he says learning to keep his heartbeat in check and get his mind wrapped around each situation once he does hit the diamond, has helped broaden his repertoire as a player.

“That’s the fun part about it,” he says of the unknown. “It means a lot to be out there in a crucial moment.”

It also takes a lot of patience to hang around the dugout for your number to be called. Three games came and went before Beary made his third (final eight) CWS appearance in the eighth inning of Tuesday’s game.

Against Oklahoma on June 24, he went 1-for-3 and scored a run in a 3-2 elimination game that went 12 innings. On June 20 he went 1-for-1 against the Sooners in a 4-3 loss that began double-elimination play.

Other than those outings, he was relegated to the roll of spectator as South Carolina defeated Arizona State, Clemson (twice) and UCLA on Monday. The uncertainty of never knowing when he’d get a chance to play on any given day could have taken its toll on the junior throughout the year.

“It’s a learning process,” he said of the change of pace that comes with hit-and-miss playing time. “It’s something you have to experience to learn from.”

Not that he had much of a choice since joining the Gamecocks. A severe wrist injury to his throwing arm nearly a year ago hindered the start of his initial season at South Carolina. He says the damage required the kind of ligament repair primarily reserved for Tommy John surgery on a player’s elbow.

The struggles to recover athletically were nothing compared to what he faced mentally. While working his way back into shape, two years removed from batting .426 with 76 RBI and 15 doubles through 51 games in 2008 at Pensacola, it seemed finding his timing and awareness were the least of his worries.

“My confidence was shot there for a while,” said Beary. “It’s a depressing feeling, knowing you’re good enough to play but not able to.”

But if he’s learned anything while growing up around a supportive family and a host of youth sports coaches from his hometown, it’s that you better be ready to go if ever called upon come game time. He takes the old “if we can’t outplay them, we’ll out-tough them” motto learned in his younger days to heart.

Beary managed to stay positive and keep his head above water thanks in part to the encouragement he received from back home. And it all paid off as the season went along.

Beary finished the year hitting .276 with 18 runs, 14 RBI, 3 doubles and 3 stolen bases in 44 games, 22 of which he started as a catcher and utility player. In 34 games of junior college baseball last year he hit .387 with 27 RBI and 10 doubles.

He’s now an NCAA National Champion, and it’s just beginning to sink in for he and his teammates.

Hard to imagine that of all the players and teams that navigate the ups-and-downs of a season – the obstacles from injury and hard work in practice – that only one is left standing to celebrate it in the end.

Must feel about as uninhibited as a kid playing in the dirt at one of the grandest parks of all.

– (Contact Orlando Sports Central at JC@OrlandoSportsCentral.com) –

The Florida Gators, seeded No. 3 in the tournament, advanced to the field of eight for the sixth time in program history and first time since 2005. They defeated the Miami Hurricanes 4-3 in 10 Innings on Saturday night in front of a large crowd of 5,783 at McKethan Stadium in Gainesville.

The Hurricanes committed seven errors in the game, including one in the top of the 10th by right fielder Chris Pelaez, who misplayed a fly ball hit by freshman shortstop Nolan Fontana, out of West Orange High School. Fontana would end up scoring the game-winning run on a RBI double by Austin Maddox.

Lake Brantley High School alum Greg Larson entered the game in the bottom of the 10th with one on base and one out. The sophomore proceeded to catch freshman Michael Broad looking on strikes and then force sophomore Rony Rodriguez to ground out to Fontana at shortstop, who fired a bullet across the diamond to Preston Tucker at first base for the final out. Larson collected his third save and was greeted by teammates as the celebration began.

The Hurricanes made nine errors in their two games of Super Regional play, which as a result denied local kids such as freshman Steve Ewing out of University High School and Ethan Bornstein from Winter Park High School a chance to make it to Omaha. The Gators opened Super Regionals with a 7-2 win on Friday night.

Fontana and Larson join sophomore Ben McMahan and senior Clint Franklin as players from the Central Florida area with spots on the Florida roster. McMahon played his high school ball at Bishop Moore while Franklin played at Timber Creek.

Joining the Gators at the World Series are the Florida State Seminoles, who are making the trip for the 20th time in program history and 14th time under head coach Mike Martin. The Seminoles defeated Vanderbilt 7-6 in the decisive Game 3 of the team’s Super Regional matchup at Dick Howser Stadium in Tallahassee.

FSU, like the Gators, have four players from the Orlando area on its roster including senior outfielder Ohmed Danesh out of Dr. Phillips High School. Junior infielder Stuart Tapley and freshman Corben Madden both played baseball at Boone High School. Junior pitcher John Gast hails from Lake Brantley, where he was a teammate with Florida’s Larson from 2005-07.

For Gast, Tapley, and Danesh, this marks their second trip to Omaha in three years as FSU advanced in 2008, going 0-2 after losing to Stanford and Miami. The Seminoles open play this time around against TCU while Florida takes on No. 6 UCLA. The two state rivals could meet up early on as both are in the same bracket.

– More Local Players In College World Series –

Senior second baseman Mike Freeman out of Edgewater High School and sophomore shortstop Brad Miller from Olympia High School helped Clemson advance to the World Series. The Tigers take on No. 1 Arizona State to start the week’s final round of elimination play. Junior utility player Robert Beary out of Apopka started in 22 games for South Carolina, playing in 41 games on the year. The Gamecocks get underway against Oklahoma.

Boone's Lucas Rawlings (Photo by Justin Kane)

Just 16 seconds remained when Rawlings withstood a ferocious rush from the West Seniors at the line of scrimmage and connected on the 32-yard game-winning field goal.

“It was very tense,” said Rawlings of lining up for the attempt. “I was just focused on getting my leg through it and getting the ball through the upright. That’s all I had on my mind.”

The tense part came when Rawlings was given a little extra time to think things over as he was held up by a timeout from the West sideline. Once the ball was snapped a fierce collision took place up front before the kick hit its mark with plenty room to spare, prompting the celebration to get underway.

“It was indescribable,” Rawlings said with a grin while reliving the moment. “I knew right there that it was the game winner.”

The field goal capped off a 13-play drive that began midway through the fourth quarter and drained the remaining five-plus minutes to virtually nothing. Oak Ridge quarterback Baylin Trujillo converted on fourth-and-two during the drive on a keeper up the middle while several others played key roles.

The East got big gains on the ground from Colonial’s Jermaine Broomfield and University’s Curtis Riley, along with a 23-yard pickup on a throw from Pine Castle’s Michael Slack to Orlando Lutheran tight end Faysal Shafaat down the stretch.

Boone's Lucas Rawlings (Photo by Justin Kane)

Slack finished 6-of-9 passing for 126 yards as he delivering precise passes that landed right on target while Broomfield tallied 52 yards on eight carries. Shafaat caught four balls for 66 yards, one of which he kept a hold of even after taking a jarring hit over the middle from an opposing player.

“He told me ‘Great throw. If you would of threw it any higher I would have gotten laid out even worse’,” said Slack of the good-natured encounter they shared in the huddle following the play.

It was Slack’s touchdown toss of 39 yards to Boone’s speedy Denard Lucas, while in stride with 3:27 remaining in the third quarter, that tied the game at 14-14 and breathed new life into an East squad that had little trouble moving the ball. If only they could have turned those yards into points by reaching the end zone earlier.

Lucas was eager to get the call though after already having told a teammate he was bound to score a touchdown. He did so two plays after hauling in a 42-yarder from Trujillo.

“The (defensive backs) were playing man (coverage) and they were trying to bump me, but it wasn’t happening,” said Lucas, who finished with three receptions for 94 yards in the win.

Boone's Lucas Rawlings (Photo by Justin Kane)

Those two scores in the second half by the East were set up by a stingy defensive effort, most notably from defensive lineman Jordan Little from Cypress Creek who was in on two sacks on third downs which resulted in punts the other way.

They came on drives where the West routinely found themselves working for room to run from deep in their own territory as they tried to hang on to a 14-7 lead after returning to the field from the halftime break.

Among the East defenders making it tough on the West were Joseph Jones and Andres Jurado of Cypress Creek, Ryan Moore and Sean Brown from Colonial, Conrad Walko and Josh Kerlin of Pine Castle, along with Timber Creek’s Jacob Wainwright and Winter Park’s Corey Gonslaves.

Those efforts proved to be beneficial after having watched Ocoee’s Chris DeVaughn jump on a Trujillo pass in the flats for an interception which he raced 72 yards along the sideline to paydirt less than three minutes into the night.

But the equalizer was set up when a fumble that Boone’s Tabarie Sullivan landed on in a pile of players was recovered following a muffed punt near midfield. Eleven plays later, which included a fourth-down conversation, the game was tied at 7-7 just a minute into the second period as Riley faked to a running back, swung around wide to the right, and sprinted his way into the end zone past defenders.

“When I took off towards the sideline I seen some people in front of me and I knew I had to put a move on them,” said Riley. He would finish with 53 yards on 10 carries and 29 yards passing on 2-of-4 attempts.

The West Seniors promptly replied with their best drive of the game two series later. They took the lead with a minute left in the first half when Robbie Matay hooked up with Dr. Phillips teammate Greg Slones in the corner of the end zone from four yards out. Only the momentum wouldn’t carry over into the final two quarters.

In the loss, Dr. Phillips running back Matt Williams had five strong runs for 39 yards and Apopka’s Joe Dennis made big tackles on defense for the West. Other defensive standouts included Matt Hunt and Matt Lambert of Bishop Moore, Delroy Steele (Jones), Jarret Leppert (Apopka), Michael Lewis (Ocoee), Cornelious Sigler (West Orange) and Donnie Bartolomucci (Olympia).

– To nominate athletic performances for inclusion each Wednesday to the Top-5 list of Orlando Sports Central Standouts, send over an email to JC@OrlandoSportsCentral.com –

1.) Bradley Gallon – Apopka Blue Darters – In a five-overtime high school football game that had more than its fair share of standouts on both the winning and losing teams, Gallon’s interception of Dr. Phillips in the final overtime period was as clutch as it gets. That effort set up a 10-yard touchdown run by quarterback Keon Brooks one play later that secured a 58-52 win for the Blue Darters.

Bruce Miller

2.) Bruce Miller – UCF Knights – The junior defensive end earned his second Conference USA Defensive Player of the Week honor following last week’s 34-27 UCF win at UAB. He tallied 2.5 tackles for loss, five tackles in all, and two second-half sacks while also breaking up a pass on UAB’s final drive in the win. Miller entered the weekend seventh in the nation in sacks and 18th in tackles for a loss.

3.) Shane Larkin – Dr. Phillips Panthers – The junior point guard put together an impressive stat line in the season opener for Dr. Phillips at the Hoops Mountain Hoops Feast gathering at West Orange High School last weekend. In a convincing 77-45 win against the defending Class 6A state champion Miami Coral Reef, Larkin drained 12 of 20 shots for 31 points and also chipped in with nine steals, five assists and two blocks in the win.

Dave Diakite

4.) Dave Diakite – UCF Knights – After playing in just five games a year ago, where he went 3-for-13 from the field before suffering an injury, the redshirt freshman scored a career-high 21 points on 7 of 11 shooting last Saturday against Albany. He played a key part in helping wrap up a 76-72 win by grabbing a game-high eight rebounds along with two steals for the Knights.

5.) Stan Van Gundy – Orlando Magic – By guiding the Orlando Magic to a Conference-best 14-4 record in November, Van Gundy was named NBA Eastern Conference Coach of the Month. He got the nod over nominees that included Atlanta’s Mike Woodson, Boston’s Doc Rivers and Cleveland’s Mike Brown. The Magic earned road wins over both Boston and Atlanta while going 8-2 away from home. They entered December ranked in the top-5 of four different defensive statistical categories. Van Gundy also won the award in January of last season.

More ––

Orlando Sports Central Standouts – 11/25/09

Orlando Sports Central Standouts – 11/18/09

Orlando Sports Central Standouts – 11/11/09

Orlando Sports Central Standouts – 11/4/09

Orlando Sports Central Standouts – 10/28/09

Orlando Sports Central Standouts – 10/21/09

Orlando Sports Central Standouts – 10/14/09

The two teams combined for over 850 yards of total offense and amazing play after amazing play. Apopka entered the game 10-1 overall and got out to a huge advantage in the first quarter. Dr. Phillips came in unbeaten at 11-0 and relied on a backup quarterback to ignite the late rally in the fourth quarter to help force the extra periods.

Not that anyone had five overtimes in mind when regulation did run out, though. Eventually it was five turnovers by the Panthers that did them in with the most crucial mistake coming on their final offensive play of the game.

While all of this was unfolding, Winter Park was putting the finishing touches on Seminole, the defending 6A state champs, 31-10, to set up tonight’s regional semifinal matchup between the Wildcats and DeLand at Showalter Field. The winner moves on to face the survivor between Apopka and Treasure Coast (in a game being played in Fort Pierce) in the state semifinals next week.

The other local team that kept their season alive was Edgewater in Class 4A as they got a 17-14 win on the road at Lake Gibson in Lakeland. Tonight the Eagles host Tarpon Springs.

But until it all gets figured out and everyone advances, we take a look back at a high school football game for the ages.

On a frigid night the Blue Darters played a spectacular first half in getting out to a 26-14 lead at the break as every point between both teams was put up in the opening quarter. It was four turnovers over those first two quarters for Dr. Phillips that made the comeback that much more difficult for the home team.

– Apopka started the night in their old-school single wing formation and got on the scoreboard less than a minute into the game when Tom Smith took a handoff to the right side and went 74 yards for a score. The points came after he broke a tackle near the line of scrimmage then outran a defender the rest of the way. (7-0 Apopka)

– Dr. Phillips replied after getting a huge kick return from Dee Hart and a big catch from Greg Slones from quarterback Nick Patti. Those plays led to Hart’s 13-yard touchdown run up the middle at the 9:30 mark in what turned out to be just another addition to a school-record 39 all-time touchdowns for the junior. (7-7)

– Apopka charged right back as Blue Darter quarterback Keon Brooks took off through the Panther defense for eight yards, then pitched off to Smith along the sideline. Smith raced the final 25 yards for his 23rd score of the year with 8:13 to play in the quarter. (14-7 Apopka)

– The storyline took it’s first major change when Hart launched an ill-advised throw downfield that was picked off by Apopka’s Jon Beary. It was the first of Beary’s two picks on the night. He would also force a fumble in the first half. Apopka turned that turnover into a 32-yard touchdown run by Quay Barnes with 5:43 to go following a big run from Brooks. But the point-after attempt failed. (20-7 Apopka)

– The Panthers fumbled on the ensuing kickoff. Brooks then picked up another big run to set up another score by Barnes from 10-yards out with 2:57 remaining. The 2-point play was unsuccessful. (26-7 Apopka)

– On the final drive of the first quarter, Dr. Phillips finally got back on track to cut into the deficit. A 27-yard gain by Hart on a catch-and-run led to Patti slipping through the grasp of a defender and reaching the end zone on a 16-yard run with six seconds left on the clock. (26-14 Apopka)

In the second quarter, each team forced turnover-on-downs before Apopka’s Donte Williams recovered a fumble and the second interception on the night by Beary came with 26 seconds left in the half. Yet in a game of momentum shifts, the third quarter instilled new life in Dr. Phillips. The Panthers really got going after snuffing out a 13-play drive on fourth-and-goal from the one-yard line with 11 seconds remaining in the period.

– Dr. Phillips opened the fourth quarter with the ball after that huge defensive stand but couldn’t hold their blocks up front as the Blue Darters crashed down on the quarterback to extend their lead with a safety, on a play made by Juan Pimienta. (28-14 Apopka)

– Then after the Blue Darters were forced to punt it back, senior backup quarterback Robbie Matey entered the game and engineered a 78-yard drive that featured a scramble for 17 yards, big catches by Kenny Shaw and Antwan Stepherson, and a 27-yard touchdown run by Marvin Floyd (with 7:06 to play) after he was originally held up at the line of scrimmage. (28-21 Apopka)

– And again, the Blue Darters had to punt once more. And Matey went back to work after Hart returned the kick near midfield. He preceded to connect on passes to Slones and Stepherson, before ending the drive by dropping back, pump-faking, and launching an 18-yard pass to a wide-open Shaw in the corner of the end zone for the game-tying score with 4:03 remaining. (28-28)

The Dr. Phillips defense continued to answer the call, despite the Blue Darters grinding out the final moments of regulation. With five second left the Apopka lined up for a 28-yard field goal attempt by Alex Catron, which ended up bouncing off the arm of Dr. Phillips senior Charles Favors. On to overtime they went with each possession beginning at the 10-yard line.

– Matey started things off with a bullet pass between two defenders over the middle to Shaw for a touchdown on third down. Apopka replied with a third-down score of their own when Brooks took the snap, turned up field and pitched out to Smith who took it in for the score. (35-35)

– Apopka went right back to Smith in the second overtime, then took the lead when Brooks kept the ball and crossed the goal line on second down. Following a penalty on the Darter defense, Stepherson leaped up and made a big catch in the end zone for Dr Phillips to knot things up once again. He would finish with seven catches for 70 yards and a score. (42-42)

– Then it was Shaw’s turn to catch his seventh pass (for 95 yards and three scores) as he again caught a pass over the middle and stretched out for the touchdown while Lo Wood clanged to his backside. Two plays later Brooks sliced his way through the defense to extend things yet again. (49-49)

Both teams nearly let the game get away from them in the fourth overtime (a fumble by Apopka that went out of bounds on third down and a tipped pass on third down that flew out of the back of the end zone by Dr. Phillips) they were both forced to settle for field goals. And that proved to be enough for the visiting team. From there Bradley Gallon picked off the first Dr. Phillips play of the fifth overtime which led to a run right up the middle by Brooks for the game-winning touchdown for the Blue Darters.

Game over. Instant classic.

– More Apopka at Dr. Phillips –

More news and notes at Orlando Sentinel

Bill Buchalter story at Orlando Sentinel

John Peery story at FlaVarstiy

More news and notes at Go Blue Darters

More video footage at WFTV

– To nominate athletic performances for inclusion each Wednesday to the Top-5 list of Orlando Sports Central Standouts, send over an email to JC@OrlandoSportsCentral.com –

1.) Zack Greinke – Kansas City Royals – The 2002 Apopka High School grad and first round draft pick that year by the Kansas City Royals was named the American League Cy Young award winner last week. Although the Royals finished just 65-97, Greinke went 16-8 with 242 strikeouts and a Major League Baseball-best 2.16 ERA to snag 25 of 28 first-place votes.

2.) Kevin Elliot and Alvis Graham – Florida A&M Rattlers – The former Colonial High School teammates made major contributions on Saturday for FAMU at the 30^th Annual Florida Classic to help lead the Rattlers to a 42-6 win over Bethune-Cookman. Elliot entered the game leading the team in receiving with 42 catches for 545 yards and 6 touchdowns. He scored a touchdown and recovered a fumble on Saturday while Graham led FAMU with six tackles. Graham entered the game with a team-high 62 tackles, 5.5 for a loss and one sack.

3.) Patrick Mputu – Winter Park Wildcats – Not only did the standout running back at Winter Park score the game-winning touchdown with 39 seconds remaining in the 50-47 opening round playoff win over Lake Brantley, but Mputu scored three times in the final quarter of the game. He finished the night with 199 yards in 26 carries, good for 7.7 yards per carry, after ending the regular season third in the area with 1,302 yards on the year.

Marshay White

4.) Marshay White – UCF Knights – The junior guard for the UCF women’s basketball team scored a career-high 23 points in the 80-46 win over Bethune-Cookman in the 2009-10 home opener for the Knights. The win kept alive a nine-game home win streak for the team at UCF Arena. White made four three-pointers and shot 9-of-17 while grabbing seven rebounds and dishing out six assists in the win.

5.) Erin Campbell – UCF Knights – Despite starring for a volleyball squad that went just 12-18 overall and 3-13 in Conference USA, Campbell ended her career at UCF with an all-C-USA Second Team selection. The nod is just the second postseason honor for the program as Stephanie Serna also received the distinction a year ago. Campbell entered the season finale against USF (which UCF won in five sets) with 383 kills and ranked in the all-time top-10 lists for six different statistical career categories.

More ––

Orlando Sports Central Standouts – 11/18/09

Orlando Sports Central Standouts – 11/11/09

Orlando Sports Central Standouts – 11/4/09

Orlando Sports Central Standouts – 10/28/09

Orlando Sports Central Standouts – 10/21/09

Orlando Sports Central Standouts – 10/14/09

– To nominate athletic performances for inclusion each Wednesday to the Top-5 list of Orlando Sports Central Standouts, send over an email to JC@OrlandoSportsCentral.com –

Ali Schrader (Photo by Jim Hogue)

1.) Ali Schrader – Rollins Tars – The freshman forward helped the Rollins College women’s soccer team win its first Sunshine State Conference tournament title when her goal in the 50^th minute held up in a 1-0 win over Florida Southern over the weekend. With the win, which came on their home field, the Tars (15-1-2) earned an automatic berth into the NCAA Division II Tournament against the winner between Florida Tech and Saint Leo on Saturday. Schrader was named SSC Tournament Most Outstanding Player after scoring her first three goals of the season at the tournament.

2.) Han Kim – Lake Mary Rams – Last week Kim dominated the field at the Class 2A Golf State Finals in Ocala as he shot a 9-under par 135 over two days at Silver Springs Shores to earn the gold medal. His day one score of 70 and day two efforts of 65 (on the Par 72 course) were six strokes better then all other competitors and helped Lake Mary win the team title by two strokes.

3.) Tom Smith – Apopka Blue Darters – The junior running back rushed for 152 yards on 11 carries, scoring four touchdowns and three two-point conversions in the first half for Apopka as they raced out to a 66-14 win on the road over Ocoee last week to claim the Class 6A, District 5 title. (Game Recap)

Mike Sims-Walker

4.) Jalen Singleton – Bishop Moore Hornets – By scoring three touchdowns in the second half and making big plays in the secondary for the Hornets, Singleton helped Bishop Moore wrap up the Class 2A, District 4 title in a 23-0 win at Jones. Singleton rushed for 162 yards on 22 carries, which included scores from 43, 5 and 5 yards out. (Game Recap)

5.) Mike Sims-Walker – Jacksonville Jaguars – The former Edgewater and UCF football standout posted the best receiving-yards effort for the Jaguars since 2000 on Sunday when he caught six passes for 147 yards and a touchdown in a 24-21 win against Kansas City. It was his third 100-yard game of the season.

More ––

Orlando Sports Central Standouts – 11/4/09

Orlando Sports Central Standouts – 10/28/09

Orlando Sports Central Standouts – 10/21/09

Orlando Sports Central Standouts – 10/14/09