After an atypical .500 season a year ago, Seminole High, ranked No. 5 in the Sentinel’s Super 16 Coaches Poll, is in the position it is accustomed to. The ‘Noles are 4-0 and the lead contender for the Class 6A District 3 title.
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The Seminoles, who snuck into the playoffs at 5-5 last season, then losing in the first round to Spruce Creek, are used to winning. And they are back on track this season. The big reason for the resurgence has been the defense, led by cornerbacks RJ Hampton and JoJo Watson, and safety Antrell Armstong. The ‘Noles boast one of the best defensive backfields in Central Florida.
That trio of is all over the field making plays. Armstrong has two interceptions and leads Seminole in tackles with 28. Hampton and Watson are lockdown corners and rarely allow receptions. Armstrong and Watson have both blocked kicks. The ‘Noles have allowed just 11 points per game.
Super 16 Coaches Poll: DeLand unanimous football No. 1; TFA No. 2
Meanwhile, the offense has caught up. Led by transfer quarterback Daniel Proenza and an impressive group of running backs, Seminole has been impressive all around. Ballcarriers Tyree Howard, Jamar Buckner, Dakhi Carr and Jelani Williams, as well as Proenza, have all rushed for more than 100 yards this season. Howard leads the way at 198.
They will need to be hitting on all cylinders Friday night, when Seminole travels Daytona Beach to face Mainland. The Buccaneers, a Class 3S finalist in 2022, lost the only two games they have played against tough opponents Miami Carol City and Nease. The Carol City game was forfeited due to ineligble players, so Mainland is officially 1-1.
No. 9 Edgewater (3-1) will be looking to bounce back from its loss at Lake Nona but has another tall task when renews its rivalry with Jones (2-1). The Eagles will again play without standout running back Jahmari Hammonds, who has missed the past two games with a leg injury.
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The Jones defense is stout, allowing 14 points per game, but the Tigers are still trying to get the offense rolling.
Other key games include IMG Academy (3-0), the nation’s No. 3 team according to MaxPreps, visiting No. 2 The First Academy (4-0). The Oviedo backyard brawl for the Mayor’s Cup will have Hagerty (2-0) hosting Oviedo (2-2). And No. 4 West Orange (4-0) puts its unbeaten record on the line at No. 8 Lake Mary (2-2).
Gateway (Kissimmee) will be looking to start the season 4-0 for the first time in school history when the Panthers travel cross-county to face Poinciana. And someone will get its first victory of the year when Lake Buena Vista (0-4) visits Cypress Creek (0-4). Cypress is looking to end the state’s longest current losing streak at 35 games in a row.
FHSAA Independent Football League Standings
Week 5 Football Schedule
(All games 7 p.m., unless noted)
Monday’s Results
New Smyrna Beach 42, Winter Springs 8
Viera 40, Lyman 0
Vanguard (Ocala) 49, Leesburg 0
Liberty 12, Discovery 6
Wednesday’s Results
Master’s Academy 40, West Oaks 0
Thursday’s Games
Forest (4-0) at East Ridge (3-1)
Tavares (2-1) at Lake Minneola (1-3)
New Smyrna Beach (3-0) at Orange City University (1-2)
Friday’s Super 16 Games
Deltona (2-1) at No. 1 DeLand (2-1) #
IMG Academy (3-0) at No. 2. The First Academy (4-0)
No. 9 Edgewater (3-1) at No. 3 Jones (2-1)
No. 4 West Orange (4-0) at No. 8 Lake Mary (2-2)
No. 5 Seminole (4-0) at Mainland (1-1)
South Lake (0-3) at No. 6 Bishop Moore (2-2)
No. 7 Lake Nona (3-1) at Wekiva (2-2)
No. 10 Oviedo (2-2) at Hagerty (2-0)
No. 11 Evans (2-2) at St. Augustine (4-0)
No. 12 Osceola (2-2) at Lake Wales (3-1)
Dr. Phillips (1-2) at No. 15 Winter Park (2-2) #
No. 16. Lake Brantley (2-2) at Lake Howell (2-2)
Other Friday Games
Innovation (4-0) at Freedom (2-1)
East River (0-4) at Boone (1-2)
Horizon (2-2) at Apopka (1-3)
Lake Buena Vista (0-4) at Cypress Creek (0-4)
Gateway (3-0) at Poinciana (3-1)
Astronaut (1-2) at Eustis (1-2)
Cambridge Christian (1-4) at Foundation Academy (2-1)
Cornerstone Charter (2-1) at Lake Highland Prep (1-2)
Crescent City (0-3) at Orangewood (3-1), 7:30 p.m.
Geneva School (3-1) at Boca Raton Christian (4-0)
Leesburg (0-3) at South Sumter (3-1), 7:30 p.m.
Legacy Charter (0-5) at Halifax Academy (0-4)
Lyman (1-3) at Winter Springs (0-4)
Mount Dora Christian (3-1) at Pine Ridge (0-4)
Nova Lakes (2-2) at Colonial (1-3)
Olympia (2-2) at Windermere (2-2)
Titusville (3-1) at Harmony (1-3)
Umatilla (2-2) at Belleview (2-2), 7:30 p.m.
University (Orlando) (2-1) at Oak Ridge (2-2)
Windermere Prep (2-1) at Bishop McLaughlin (0-4)
Friday’s 8-Man Games
Bradenton Christian (4-1) at Lake Mary Prep (1-3)
First Academy-Leesburg (3-1) at St. Francis Academy (3-1)
OPEN DATE: Celebration, CFCA, City of Life Christian, Faith Christian, Mount Dora, Ocoee, Real Life Christian, St. Cloud, Timber Creek, Tohopekaliga, Trinity Prep, Eastland Christian
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# — Winter Park game at Showalter Field, DeLand at Spec Martin Stadium.
Chris Hays can be found on X.com @OS_ChrisHays.