Here we go again!
Welcome to Apopka Blue Darter Football - Season 2023, Episode 1.
To catch you up, it's been about eight months since Apopka traveled to Ft. Lauderdale for its third state championship game in the last three years. The Blue Darters fell to Miami Columbus in a heartbreaking 16-13 overtime loss.
Apopka finished its 2022 season 11-4. Since 2019, they are 43-13 and an astounding 15-4 in the postseason. In 2022, after starting the season 2-2, the Blue Darters won 9 of its last 11 games, including four playoff victories.
In 2023, how far will the Blue Darters get? Is this the year they break the streak and win the state championship after losing three finals in the last four years?
A lot of questions to be answered in 2023.
And what better way to start the new year than to face a fellow state high school football powerhouse like the Osceola Kowboys? Despite the (on purpose) typo in their nickname, Osceola is one of the premier football programs in the state, like the Blue Darters.
And despite being a preseason game, the Kickoff Classic had the feel of a playoff game, albeit in August.
Apopka edged the Kowboys 16-15, but I'm told the game was much closer than the final score... just kidding - a little preseason humor.
The Blue Darters led by one with 1:03 remaining in the game when the Kowboys drove into Apopka territory but missed a potential game-winning field goal.
Apopka sophomore quarterback Tyson Davison led the Blue Darter attack with 103 yards rushing on 14 carries, including a 37-yard touchdown run.
Apopka took an early 3-0 lead on a 37-yard field goal by Hayden Kosicki late in the first quarter.
But in the second quarter, Osceola answered when junior QB Camren West threw to WR Nortorious Reynolds for a 27-yard touchdown pass. The Kowboys led 7-3 with 4:20 left in the period.
The Blue Darters reclaimed the lead when Davison scored on a 37-yard touchdown run. Apopka took a 9-7 lead into halftime. Then in the third quarter, Antwone Robinson scored on a one-yard touchdown run, and Apopka led 16-7.
This Friday, Apopka travels to Ocoee High School to take on the Knights, who won their opening game against Oak Ridge 27-13. Last season, the Blue Darters defeated Ocoee 13-12. The Knights went on to a 9-5 record, including a playoff run that ended with a 41-36 loss to Miami Columbus in the state semifinals.
