Apopka And South Dade Title Preview

     The Apopka Blue Darters look to capture their second consecutive FHSAA Class 8A championship when they play the South Dade Buccaneers in the title game on Saturday night at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando. Apopka, located less than 15 miles northwest of the Citrus Bowl, have the shortest trip among all the schools playing in the high school football championships over the last two weeks.
     After losing their opening game in South Carolina against Byrnes, Apopka(13-1) has won 13 straight games. The Blue Darters are on pace for the Florida state record for most points in a season. They have scored at least 31 points in all of their games this season and put up at least 42 points in 12 of 14 games. Apopka blew out University 77-21 in the regional quarterfinal, held off Winter Park 31-7 in the regional semifinal, then went on the road to beat First Coast 42-20 in the regional final and outlasted Plant 45-29 in the state semifinal.
     The Blue Darters are once again led by quarterback Zack Darlington. He overcame a serious injury during the first game of the season when they faced Byrnes and he has bounced back. They have a well-rounded rushing attack with tailback Daquon Isom and fullback Chandler Cox to create things. Darlington has two wide receiver targets with Jacob Wittrock and Ray Ray Smith to receive the ball all over the field.
     With the exception of Bolles in Class 4A, South Dade(13-1) is the only the only school to appear in a state championship game this year without winning a district title. The district runner-up Buccaneers took the tough way to get to Orlando as they won their first three playoff games on the road. They routed Southwest 42-7 in the regional quarterfinal, edged district foe Killian 13-7 in the regional semifinal and blanked Coral Gables 6-0 in the regional final. South Dade returned home to Homestead for the state semifinal and routed Palm Beach Gardens 37-10.
     Look for quarterback Khalil Bender to throw the ball a majority of the time with limited running plays on offense. He has numerous options to pass to as wide receivers Tyre Brady, C.J. Worten, Tavian Williams and Nathaniel Terry will attempt to get receptions.