No. 4 Mainland Buccaneers at No. 3 Apopka Blue Darters

When: Friday, 7:30pm

Where: Roger Williams Field, Apopka (555 Martin St.)

TV: Spectrum Sports (Channel 47 and HD 1147)

Coaches: Mainland – Scott Wilson (8th, 72-15); Apopka – Rick Darlington (16th, 151-39)

About the matchup: Perennial powers go head-to-head on Spectrum Sports in Central Florida’s most anticipated preseason Kickoff Classic

Mainland went 11-1 last season, losing in the region finals to eventual state champion Miami Carol City. It was the fourth consecutive season the Bucs dropped a postseason game to a team from Miami-Dade County. Denzel Houston, who accounted for 124 touchdowns and more than eight thousand yards during his three seasons as the starting quarterback, is now a wide receiver at FAU. His replacement is Ocoee transfer Jake Novello, who debuted in the spring with four touchdown passes against Spruce Creek. A strong wide receiving corps includes FSU commit D’Marcus Adams, Brian Jenkins, Tank Dell and Michael Bussey. The offensive line has size and experience with four returning starters. Senior tackle Adonis Boone committed to USF in early August. Defensively, a physical front is led by Julio Thompson, a first team all-state performer last season, and second year starter Kevon McCrary. The secondary received a boost when FSU commit Johnathan Huggins transferred from Pine Ridge.

Apopka went 9-0 in the regular season last year and was ranked No. 1 in the state before Timber Creek knocked off the Blue Darters 40-39 in a shocking first round upset. Virtually all of Apopka’s offensive skill players graduated, but there are a promising crop of youngsters ready to replace decorated talents Demetri Burch and Deshawn Massey. Sophomore Jecoryan Davis-Hamilton turned heads in the spring by rushing for 372 yards and four touchdowns against Orange City University. He holds offers from Florida and Miami. Sophomores Jackson Darlington, Akeem Brown and Jalen Carter also project to play a big role on offense along with junior Cornelius Williams. The offensive line is a strength for the Blue Darters. The team has the two best lineman in the area – Ed Montilus and Will Barnes. Barnes is a four-star recruit with offers from Alabama, Florida, Florida State and Ohio State while Montilus is a three-star guard whose offers include Florida, Miami and North Carolina. Defensively, Mychal Austin is an intense competitor at defensive end. Corners Anthony Fieldings and Chance Bush have shown flashes of brilliance during fall practice.   

Three and out:

1. Since 2000, Mainland and Apopka are the two winningest programs in Central Florida. The Bucs are 173-39 while the Blue Darters are 168-45.

2. Each team has a long streak of advancing to the playoffs. Mainland has reached the postseason 23 consecutive years while Apopka has made 17 years in a row.

3. These are two of the oldest schools in the area. Mainland opened in 1862 while Apopka was founded in 1931.