FRIDAY NIGHT FIVE: Windermere football can go undefeated again

The high school football season in West Orange and Southwest Orange County is officially back and Week 1 saw a plethora of storylines, notes and news that had Orange Observer Sports Editor Sam Albuquerque itching to dive into the season's first edition of Friday Night Five. 

Each Monday morning for the entirety of the high school football season, Albuquerque will serve up the five most interesting tidbits he gathered from that week's gridiron action.

This week's top observation? The 2025 edition of the Windermere Wolverines look just as good as last year. 

Let's get into it.

Friday Night Five

No. 1: Windermere has what it takes to run the table once again

To put Windermere football's early-season dominance in perspective, here's a stat for you to chew on: Through its kickoff classic against Gateway High and Week 1 game against Harmony High, the Wolverines have scored a combined 75 points and allowed a total of nine points. 

Simply put, all of the questions I had coming into this season following Windermere's undefeated 2024 have been answered following its 43-3 home win over the Longhorns of Harmony. 

Will the Wolverines be able to cope with losing their quarterback, top receivers and a pair of starting offensive linemen from a record-breaking offense? 

Will the defense be able to get pressure on the QB after losing its top pass-rushers, who accounted for 34.5 of the team's 39.5 total sacks? 

Can this secondary adjust to losing two college-level players from this unit?

The short answer to all of those questions is yes. 

Led by returning players Jaylen Davis at receiver, Henry Rogers at running back, Duece Forrester, Chasen Olson-Rivera, and Will Trimble on the offensive line, and transfers Breylon Sanchez at QB and Onix Vazquez at WR, the Wolverines' offense looks as dynamic as it did last season. 

On the defensive front, Windermere may lack experience and size, but so far, they've more than made up for it with speed and explosiveness, led by senior edge rusher Elijah Mosby — a converted defensive back — who racked up 10 total tackles, two for a loss, and two sacks in the season-opener. 

In the secondary, the return of lockdown corner C.J. Bronaugh and safeties Diego Rivas and Eddie Russomanno, along with the emergence of Braylen Speed at the opposite corner spot, proves that this is once again a strength for Windermere. 

When I put this all together, the picture I see is a team wholly capable of going 10-0 once again. 

No. 2: QB competition at TFA

Coming into the season, the QB1 spot for the area's most talented team seemed to be cemented with junior Landen Holley as the starter with former West Orange starting QB Brian Dillard serving in a backup/change-of-pace role while utilizing his athleticism and versatility as a receiver, defensive back and returner. 

However, following a 41-7 loss to IMG Academy in its kickoff classic, that notion became less of a sure thing and in The First Academy's Week 1 matchup against Georgia powerhouse Milton High, the pair both saw plenty of time under center with Dillard making the most of his opportunity by accounting for both of the Royals' touchdowns and racking up 159 total yards on 6-of-10 passing and nine carries with one interception.

This will be an interesting storyline to watch as both quarterbacks are extremely talented but bring different qualities to the table for a Royals' offense that is filled to the brim with weapons.

Will TFA go with a two-quarterback approach? Will one of the two earn the starting spot? At this point, I couldn't tell you what's going to happen, but I promise you one thing: I'll be checking in on this after each game this season until I find out. 

No. 3: CFCA might be the surprise team of 2025

After a winless season in 2023 and a 3-6 finish in 2024, folks around these parts probably aren't expecting much from this Central Florida Christian football team in 2025. I'm here to tell those folks they need to reevaluate their expectations because the Eagles look like they're going to be the surprise team of 2025. 

With added size up front on both sides of the ball, a dynamic run game and experience leading an effective passing attack, I see this CFCA team not only winning more games than it did in 2024 but making a run in the Sunshine State Athletic Conference playoffs. 

No. 4: Ocoee, QB Tyson Davison are the real deal

In the Knights' historic 47-0 home win over rivals Apopka, one thing was crystal clear: This team and its starting quarterback are going to make some serious noise this season. 

After seeing Davison nearly lead the Blue Darters to a road playoff win over West Orange High in 2024, I knew the kid was a special talent, so when he announced he was transferring to Ocoee, to say the least, I was excited to see what the senior would do as the Knights' QB1. 

So far, through one half of a preseason game and one regular season matchup against his former school, Davison appears to have not only taken Ocoee to the next level but has shown to be the piece that has unlocked this program's nearly unlimited potential. 

I'd keep an eye on this Knights team in 2025; early signs show this is going to be a special group. 

No. 5: Sam Wood, Foundation run game is dominant

Led by junior running back Sam Wood and a stout offensive line, the Lions have been extremely effective on the ground through the early part of the season. 

Through one and a half regular-season games, considering Foundation's home matchup against Cornerstone Charter Academy was called in the second quarter, Wood has rushed for 223 yards and five touchdowns on 30 runs — an average of 7.4 yards per carry. 

Keep an eye on this unit as the season progresses.