APOPKA – It’s rivalry week.
This week (Friday, Nov. 3) sees the Apopka Blue Darters take on the Wekiva Mustangs – their crosstown rival – in the Mayor’s Cup, also known as the Potato Bowl.
The start of the game looks grim for the Blue Darters, finishing the first half down 14-3 and having a turnover on offense. That story continues throughout most of the third quarter as well, being down 28-9 with 2:29 left and a little more than a quarter remaining.
The fourth quarter tells a much different story.
Headlined by three touchdowns from Apopka’s running back Nathan Jenkins III, the Blue Darters followed up with some tenacious defensive efforts to keep the Mustangs out on the end zone in the fourth.
A missed field goal with 41 seconds left and a knee was all it took at this point for Blue Darters to secure the Mayor’s Cup. But they still need to be looking forward, as the FHSAA playoffs are right around the corner.
This team’s resolve last night to come back from a late game deficit proved they’re ready to make a state run.
Apopka wrapped up a regular season tonight that called for early adjustments after first and second string quarterbacks Kelvin Payne and Antwone Robinson went down with injuries, having to rely on next man up Tyson Davison to handle the snaps.
Despite having to rely on a sophomore quarterback, the Blue Darters have been able to retain a spot in playoffs.
Currently, Apopka (7-3) holds the No. 4 spot in the Class 4M-Region 1 playoffs and is set to open the tournament at home against the Mandarin Mustangs from Jacksonville. However, Mandarin lost 24-14 to the Bartram Trail Bears last night, so that could change.
The Blue Darters place is not in cement yet either, as the FHSAA will have a bracket release on Sunday (Nov. 5) at 10 a.m. on their YouTube channel.
Apopka head coach Jeff Rolson had a message for his team in the post-game huddle.
“Don’t be satisfied,” Rolson said.
Whoever ends up playing Apopka in the first round of the 4M playoffs will need to be prepared for a team coming in with a ton of momentum.
STORY AND COVER PHOTO BY: Curtis Acker
