The No. 3 Wekiva Mustangs and their stellar defense dismantled the No. 2 Winter Park Wildcats 33-6 to win the Class 8A Region Final Friday night at Showalter Field in Winter Park.
It is the first time in school history that the Mustangs have advanced to the state semifinals. Wekiva snapped a 2-game losing streak to Winter Park, and the Wildcats now lead the all-time series with the Mustangs 4-3. Wekiva avenged their 2016 8A Region Quarterfinal loss to Winter Park and now have a winning record in the playoffs (3-2).
Wekiva head coach Rich Bedesem's defense had 6 takeaways and only allowed 193 total yards and held Wildcats senior quarterback Cameron LeGree to 159 yards passing.
LeGree finished the game with a touchdown pass but threw 5 interceptions. It was LeGree's 13th straight game with a touchdown pass.
The Mustangs racked up 325 total yards while 246 of them were on the ground.
Wekiva senior quarterback Brandon Williams rushed for 105 yards and accounted for 2 touchdowns.
Mustangs senior running back Birthel Bridges added 142 yards and a touchdown.
Wekiva has now won 10 games in a row since losing to these same Wildcats 10-6 in week 3.
Winter Park finished their season with a 12-1 record for the third time in school history.
Wekiva (12-1) will now host Dr. Phillips (11-2) in an 8A State Semifinal game next Friday at Baptiste Orthodontics Stadium. Wekiva shutout the Panthers 14-0 in their earlier meeting this season.
It was the first time Dr. Phillips has been shutout since losing to Apopka 17-0 in 2006.