SUMMER SPOTLIGHT: Apopka Blue Darters

By Charles Fishbein on Tuesday July 21, 20093

If you look at any pre-season ranking, there’s a good chance that this is a program that you will find at – or near the top!

While athletes such as Sammie Smith, Jeremi Rudolph and Warren Sapp got the ball rolling in the 1990s, it has been athletes such as Brandon Meriweather, who has vaulted the Blue Darters onto the national scene. 

After winning the school’s first football state title back in 2001, the Blue Darters have been in the spotlight with Rick Darlington turning the program around before a brief stint in Georgia, giving way to Ty Ensor, and then Darlington again, who has now put this impressive team back into contention for a 6A state title.

On any given Friday night, Roger Williams Field is alive with college prospects and top-flight football talent.

After sending Jeremy Gallon to Michigan, and linebacker Pooh Bear Mars to FIU, the Blue Darters have some rather large holes to fill, but the talent is certainly there.

“Both Jeremy and Pooh Bear were as good as we have had here,” said Darlington. Gallon had over 6,200 yards of offense the last 3 years.  Mars was a four-year starter. We had 10 seniors last year; eight of them are getting money to go play college ball, which is what we are all so pleased about.”

As the 2009 season unfolds, Apopka is once again the team to beat in a region that has watched the talent level in the Orlando area rise over the past few years. After Sanford Seminole upended the then defending national champion Miami Northwestern Bulls, it seems that this is a region that is no longer an after thought.

It was Darlington’s Blue Darters who also upended a powerful Northwestern team to win that state championship.

As in most years, Apopka is a team that has its share of impressive collegiate prospects such as Notre Dame-bound defensive back Lo Wood, who has dazzled football fans the past three seasons.

“We have a number of quality athletes who have worked very hard,” said Darlington. “While we do have our share of college prospects that many know about, there are also exceptional high school players who colleges need to know about as well!”

Joining Wood on the Class of 2010 are John Beary (linebacker/safety), safety Bradley Gallon, linebackers Joe Dennis and Donte Williams, nose guard Juan Pimienta, and linemen Dominique Morris and Marquise Tarver.

Beary, a tremendous athlete who can play any position, led the team in sacks last year at defensive end. He started his sophomore year at nose guard.  Started at NG as a soph. Gallon has started last two years at linebacker. A potential D1 player who runs (4.5) very well.

Dennis is yet another three-year starter, who may be a bit small for D1, but is a very good student and will end up playing somewhere over the few years. Williams is also a three-year starter who was a defensive tackle as a sophomore and a defensive end as a junior.

“Colleges like Donte as a linebacker or as a fullback,” Darlington pointed out. “He is very strong and never quits on the field. His motor is always going.”

Pimienta flat out dominates any center he lines up against. While last year was his first year of football, many who have watched him believe he will play D1.

On offense, the senior class is also impressive with receiver Donald Scott, tight end Henley Griffon, and one of the most impressive lines in Florida with David Barnard, Ryan Moran, Dwayne Walker and Ryan Tuttle.

Scott is blazing fast, winning the national triple jump title. He scored four times in the spring game against Deland. Griffon has turned into the “best” prospect at that position Darlington has coached at Apopka. At 6-foot-4, he has tremendous hands and is getting better as a blocker all the time.

“I may be partial but I feel that our line is as good as any,” Darlington said. “Barnard is a three-year starter for us. He will play D1 ball. Moran, who also plays baseball, has tremendous grades, and Walker and Tuttle all have played for three years.”

Tuttle has a chance to play at the next level on the defensive side of the ball.

As good as the Class of 2010 will be for this program, the Class of 2011 will be as equally impressive with running back Tom Smith, free safety Jaquial Ashley and quarterback Keon Brooks.

Smith (5-11, 190) started as a sophomore and freshmen and was the leading receiver in 2008.  He was also the second leading rushed with over 800 yards.  Very versatile; he can run (4.5), catch, and throw (which is needed in the Single Wing). 

Brooks (6-0, 175) is a player that nobody knows about, and is truly an emerging star for the upcoming class. Against Deland in the spring, he rushed for 185 yards and threw for 115 (6 for 9 with 2 balls dropped). 

Ashley (5-10, 180), who started at strong safety as a sophomore, is a big hitter with quickness (4.6).

“This is a group that will really keep us near the top.” Darlington said. “Great talent and game-breaking ability.”

If you really want to watch Darlington smile, talk about an offensive lineman in the Class of 2012 who has everything it takes to be a great one over the next few years.

Ty Darlington is more than the coaches’ son. The 6-4, 240-pounder started all 14 games in 2008, already is squatting 425 and power cleaning 275.  In addition, with his 4.7 weighted grade point average, he is on his way to becoming the school’s valedictorian in 2012. Not bad for someone who has roamed the sidelines of a football field since he was born.

“Ty is the smartest player we’ve had,” Darlington said. “Here is a young man who is like having another coach on the field, and at his age, that is quite impressive. He makes calls for the entire line.”

After graduating 10 players from last year, Apopka is certainly back track for 2009 with enough talent to make a serious run at staying close by for the 6A state finals!