Blue Darters drop in final Spectrum Sports Poll

The Apopka Blue Darters Football team finished #6 in the final Spectrum Sports Football Poll (previously the Bright House Sports Poll). The poll is a ranking of High School Football teams in Central Florida. The Blue Darters were as high as #2 in this poll and spent most of the season as the #1 ranked team in the Associated Press 8A Poll.

A shocking 40-39 loss to Timber Creek High School in the first round of the playoffs ended Apopka's season with a 9-1 record and was the reason they dropped in the poll.

The Wekiva High School Mustangs (7-4) finished #13 in the poll after losing to #12 the Winter Park (9-4) in the first round of the playoffs. The Mustangs missed a chance for their first ever postseason victory by committing four turnovers in a 30-21 loss to the Wildcats.

The Blue Darters finished 3-1 against opponents ranked in this poll, beating #3 Dr. Phillips, Wekiva, and #20 Ocoee in the regular season, but losing to #19 Timber Creek. Dr. Phillips went on to lose the state championship to Miami Southridge 14-10 after leading 10-0 late into the fourth quarter. Apopka defeated Dr. Phillips in a come-from-behind 15-14 victory early in the season at Roger Williams Stadium on the campus of Apopka High School.

The Cocoa High School Tigers ranked #1 in the final poll after winning their fourth state championship by defeating Jacksonville Bolles 31-17 for the 4A crown.

For a look at the entire poll, go here.