Winter Park Wildcats look for good start against Edgewater

It may seem a season away, but football is coming back fast in Central Florida. With high school kickoff games scheduled for the next two weeks and a UCF Football FanFest arriving this weekend, it’s all part of a big run-up to the first official games as August gives way to September.

Unlike previous years that have seen some staggered schedules spread out over a few days or two weekends, this Friday night is packed with more than three dozen football games playing out across Central Florida, all at the same time.

Fans will be eager to see how Winter Park’s team shapes up after a disappointing 5-5 season last year that saw the Wildcats hold opponents to less than two touchdowns just twice. In that same season, a high-powered but erratic Wildcat offense scored more than 40 points on four separate occasions.

Fans will have to wait a bit longer to see their team play on their home turf; it’s still being installed during a renovation of Showalter Field. That untimely remodeling, complete with artificial turf, will force the Wildcats to play on the road for their preseason kickoff game and for at least the first game of the season. It could get worse; Winter Park Athletic Director Mike Brown indicated that no home game is guaranteed this season.

“They’re telling us the most likely game we’ll play is on [Sept. 30] against Timber Creek,” Brown said. “I’m still holding out hope that we’ll be able to play there against Colonial.”

Though mid-to-late September is the proposed move-in date, the weather could play a factor in pushing things back.

“We’re getting rain every day, so not much is getting done,” he said, though Winter Park spokesperson Clarissa Howard said rain so far hasn’t been enough to slow the construction schedule.

The city of Winter Park, which owns the property, is overseeing the renovation.

In the meantime the Wildcats are forced to take their would-be home games on the road. Whether that gives opponents an unfair advantage isn’t enough to override a shot at taking the field, Brown said, no matter where it is.

“The main thing is giving the kids a chance to play,” Brown said.

For the Wildcats, their indefinite road trip starts this Friday night. Winter Park will travel to crosstown rival Edgewater (7-4 last season) for their kickoff game at 7 p.m. That preseason game won’t factor into the regular season standings, but will give the team a tune-up before their official first game against Lake Nona, which went 3-7 last year, beginning with a 21-9 loss to Winter Park. That first official game starts at 7 p.m. Aug. 26.

Elsewhere, Orangewood hosts Orlando Christian Prep at 7 p.m. Friday night. Trinity Prep travels to Cocoa Beach for a 7 p.m. Friday kickoff.

UCF football

The Knights are also readying for their first kickoff, with an off-season’s worth of anticipation built up behind new head coach Scott Frost, who takes the helm after the departure of longtime UCF helmsman George O’Leary. The Knights will host a UCF Football Fanfest from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, where fans can meet players and the new coach, take photos, get autographs, and get free posters of UCF football and soccer teams, plus a fun and games area. It’s all free, inside Bright House Networks Stadium. Free parking is available in Lot E6 next to the stadium.