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High School Football Playoffs

Blue Darters advance in playoffs, Mustangs fall

Fatal shooting mars Wekiva-Jones game

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After a one-day delay due to Hurricane Nicole, the High School Football playoffs got underway Saturday for both Apopka schools. And at its conclusion, the Apopka Blue Darters survived to play another day, while the Wekiva Mustangs concluded their season with a first-round loss.

Jones 29, Wekiva 13

The Jones Tigers continued their winning ways in 2022 with a 29-13 victory over the Wekiva Mustangs. It was the Tigers' ninth straight win of the season, advancing them into the second round of the Class 3M Region 1 postseason.

The Mustangs took their only lead of the game early in the second quarter when junior quarterback Tyray Davis hit Sincere Edwards with a 17-yard touchdown pass. After the extra point the Mustangs led 7-6, but it was shortlived.

Jones scored again before halftime, and two more touchdowns in the second half to take an insurmountable 29-7 lead into the fourth quarter.

It was the second meeting between the schools this season. Jones also won the first game between them 21-7.

The Tigers, now 9-2 on the season, advance to host the winner of Monday's game between  Oviedo and Tampa Wharton.

Wekiva concludes their season with a 5-6 record.

The game was marred with gun violence near the end of the game when gunshots were heard in the parking lot at Jones High School. According to the Orlando Police Department, one person was killed and two injured in the shooting incident.

Apopka 17, Boone 3

It's been a see-saw season for the Apopka Blue Darters.

After starting the year 2-2, Apopka won five straight games, including a last-second win against Seminole to claim the Class 4M District 2 title. Apopka came from behind in six of their seven regular season wins.

Then, in the Apopka Mayor's Cup, the Blue Darters blew a 14-0 lead to Wekiva and lost 20-14 to close the regular season on a shocking low note.

But the playoffs wipe out everything a team did during the regular season, and the Blue Darters took full advantage of the new beginning.

Against its first opponent in the playoffs, Apopka rode a traditional swarming defense to a 17-3 victory to advance in the first round of the Class 4M Region 1 playoffs.

The Blue Darters opened the scoring with a 19-yard touchdown pass from Tyson Davidson to Isaac Knight. They led 7-0 after the first quarter and never looked back.

Zeldrick Roberts ran for over 100 yards for the Blue Darters, while Kaleb Hicks scored Apopka's second touchdown to put the game out of reach.

The Blue Darters improve their record 8-3 and advance to the second round, while Boone concludes its season at 6-5.

The Blue Darters will host a regional semifinal this Friday against the winner of Monday night’s game between Lake Brantley (5-5) and Winter Park (9-1).

Apopka Blue Darters, Wekiva Mustangs, Boone Braves, Jones Tigers, High School Football, Playoffs, Postseason

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