FHSAA Playoff Spotlight: Apopka at First Coast

As we head into Week 3 of the FHSAA (Florida) Playoffs it’s time to spotlight a couple of games from both a recruiting and schematic standpoint.

For the Class 8A, Region 1 championship it’ll be Jacksonville First Coast hosting Apopka. The teams faced last year when Apopka won 42-20 in the region final en route to their second straight appearance in the FHSAA Class 8A Championship game (a 41-28 loss to Homestead South Dade).

Apopka runs a single-wing offense, a very basic scheme at its core but the Blue Darters run it with such precision and have added enough tweaks each year to pile up the points. Some of the key players for Apopka are:

2015 OT Martez Ivey (https://twitter.com/tezivey): The consensus top-rated offensive lineman in Florida is appears to be headed to an SEC program for college with Auburn, Florida and Alabama out front. At 6-6, 275 pounds Ivey has everything you want in a next-level left tackle. He’s got long arms and the footwork that will help him develop in pass protection. Coming from a run-based scheme he just punishes defenders and has the lateral quickness to be very good in a zone scheme.

2015 ATH Chandler Cox (https://twitter.com/chandlercox10): Cox is a scheme-versatile athlete that’s already committed to Auburn. At 6-1, 225 Cox probably projects as a fullback/H-back in college. He’s played fullback, wingback, quarterback and tight end in college. He moved from QB back to I-Back in 2014 and has proven to be a successful piece wherever he is. He is a tough kid, a strong blocker and he will get better as a pass catcher with the reps. Expect him to be a fan favorite in the plains.

2017 QB/ATH Demetri Burch: Cox moved back to his natural position to make way for this 6-foot, 170 dynamic athlete. The move has proved successful as Burch has rushed for nearly 1,200 yards and 14 touchdowns with his best work coming in the postseason. Burch’s future is likely at wide receiver or defensive back and I would expect his recruiting profile to increase over in the offseason.

First Coast is still searching for that elusive first title. The Buccaneers made the Class 7A state title game in 2011 and they were overwhelmed by Manatee, 40-0. That night the battle was won in the trenches as First Coast’s offensive line was no match for Manatee’s defense that included Demarcus Christmas (FSU freshman) and Derrick Calloway (USF sophomore). First Coast is an explosive passing team and features the deepest group of wide receivers in the state. Among the players worth watching:

2015 QB De’Andre Johnson (https://twitter.com/dredadon14): The FSU commitment is often answering questions about his height (he’s barely 6-0) but his QB skills speak for itself. He’s been a four-year starter at First Coast and is closing in on many of the state’s passing records. He delivers the ball well and he delivers it quickly as his vision tends to get impaired when he holds on to the ball too long. Johnson plays with confidence, he’s borderline cocky and that can be a turn off for some people but his attitude is exactly what he’ll need to get on the field at the next level.

2015 OL William Sweet: This North Carolina commitment has taken nice strides as a senior to improve his pass protection and initial punch on blocks. In the past he’s had trouble with speed rushers but he has improved his lateral quickness considerably to counter that. He’ll have to play his best on Friday and try to show more flashes of aggressive play that will force opponents to back off.

2015 WR Tristan Payton: This USC commitment is the tops in a group that includes 2015 Slot WR Jerad Washington (South Carolina commit) and future superstar 2017 WR D.J. Matthews (FSU commit). At 6’1, 190 is a physical player that is faster than his recorded 4.63 time. He actually reminds me a good bit of the recent USC receivers like Robert Woods and Nelson Agholor. He’s got a great vertical and he can pull down those 50/50 balls consistently.

Bottom Line: This is going to be an offensive showdown featuring at least five players in the top 100 in the state. Apopka’s improved on defense as the season went on and their 42-0 win over West Orange last week was shocking. In a close road game I would take the Blue Darters over the Buccaneers with a score of 41-34.