West Orange's first football team made history 50 years ago

Back in 1970, overpopulation already was becoming a problem in the West Orange community. 

Two high schools — Lakeview and Ocoee — were overcrowded, and they needed a solution. Grades seven through 12 attended Lakeview, and Ocoee had an even larger range, grades one through 12. 

In came West Orange High School, which officially opened in 1975. Architect Eoghan Newman Kelley set his talents to developing a design of the new school dedicated for 10th through 12th grade. 

Change is hard for anyone, especially students who thought they would be finishing their final year of schooling at a place they had attended their whole lives. The combination of Ocoee and Lakeview also meant their athletics programs would come together. Hopes were low heading into their first football season in 1975. People predicted West Orange would struggle because it was the first year they’d been playing together. 

However, what the public and even our own reporters didn’t realize was most of those boys had been on a team together for years, and they would thrive in their first year as a Warrior, heading to the playoffs. 

FUSING TOGETHER

“Once the decision was made and we knew what was going to happen, everybody was fine,” said Tom Lamb, West Orange defensive tackle on the first team. “It was kind of sad, giving up Lakeview. We had been there six years.” 

Lamb was a part of West Orange’s first graduating class in 1976. He said they started in the fall at Lakeview’s campus and didn’t move to the new building until the spring semester, which helped with the transition. 

Greg Kannon graduated from West Orange in 1976 and played defensive back and wide receiver, and was a kickoff/punt returner on the football team. He said being on the team helped to make the transition easier to the new school. They spent hours together outside of the classroom, competing and building up teamwork.

“Team creates unity, there’s new members of a team every year and this was just that next year with new team members,” Kannon said. 

Most of the Warriors’ first football team had played together since eighth grade, Lamb said. He highlighted a few players such as their center and defensive safety came from Ocoee, and the quarterback was from Evans High School. 

The first players already were familiar with one another, but it was the coaching staff that came from different pieces of a puzzle. Lamb recalled one coach came from Evans, another from Ocoee and their head coach Ron Lopsonzski, or “Coach Lopo,” from Lakeview. 

“We had really, really good coaches, and plus we had all played together, so it was just a recipe for success,” Lamb said. 

The new Warriors didn’t just have to adjust to life at a new school; they also had to prepare for their transition from a 2A level of competition to 3A. 

“(It) meant the competition was heavier, more intense, better choice or greater choices of athletes, and it made the synergy between the two schools becoming one have a common opponent,” Kannon said. “That was a great unifying factor.” 

They entered the season with a high level of togetherness. They had a goal to do well and wanted to achieve that.

Not everyone thought the freshly put-together Warriors could accomplish success. Lamb said a sports writer kept saying they were going to get “clobbered” and ranked them at the bottom in preseason.

“One of my favorite memories was before the season started, the Orlando Sentinel made a comment, ‘Don’t hold your breath before West Orange even scores, and don’t expect them to win any games,’” Kannon said.

BEATING THE ODDS 

Despite those predictions, the Warriors went on to win their first four games, lost two, then won four again and headed to the state playoffs. There, it lost in the first round to the No. 1 high school football team, Ocala Forest. The team won more that season than either Lakeview or Ocoee had in many years — and against stronger competitors. 

“I think because the expectations and the doubters were so strong, there was definitely satisfaction of having a successful year of going to the playoffs,” he said. 

Along the road to playoffs, each former player recalled one key game. 

Lamb remembered when they beat Bishop Moore, an Orlando private school that’s historically had a good team, by one point. The score was 8-8, and they headed to overtime. In 1975, tie-breakers were determined by putting the ball at the 50-yard-line, and each team had four plays to get the ball as far as possible. 

“We beat them by 1 foot,” Lamb said.

The Warriors came out victorious 9-8. 

In their last regular-season game against Colonial High School, which was the Warriors’ first time playing a 4A school, banter began before kickoff. 

“At the beginning of the game, they would constantly make comments about, ‘Welcome to 4A boys,’ emphasizing the boys,” Kannon said. 

He ended up having a great game — with two long touchdown receptions and caught a two-point conversion. 

West Orange won by double-digits and displayed a phenomenal team effort against greater competition right before heading to playoffs. 

ETCHED IN HISTORY

Excitement began to build as the Warriors entered the state playoffs, and none of the players had ever been there. In playoffs, Ocala Forest came onto the field with their dominating size. 

“They were so much bigger than we were, and they had at least two All-Americans on that team, and I think they sent 10 or more players to major colleges,” Kannon said. 

Lamb said they knew it would be a tough game, but they fought for it and despite losing, it remains a positive memory in his mind. It also etched the team forever in the history of West Orange football. 

“We were part of something special, and we had a special camaraderie,” Kannon said. 

He said their dynamic was something he hasn’t heard of anyone else having to deal with, and it brings him joy knowing they were a part of creating a winning tradition at West Orange. Even though the team had hopes of being good, you never truly know in sports, Lamb said, and to have the season they did in the Warriors’ first year means a lot. 

Since the first class of 1976, West Orange has continued to be a rememberable football program. Most recently, they’ve secured a district championship in 2024 and made it to the regional finals. The school’s known for producing college commitments like Ivan Taylor at Alabama, Jordan Castell at the University of Florida, Jayden Gibson at Oklahoma and many others. 

West, Southwest Orange Rivalries

Dr. Phillips 

Dr. Phillips Panthers opened their doors to the public in 1987.

Their opening marked the first time West Orange High School was split — half of their student body became Panthers and the first rivalry was born, known as the Ole Orange Crate Game.  

The two schools have competed in the game since 1988. Whoever wins has the honor of taking an orange crate in their possession. In 2010, the rivalry took a break when the teams changed divisions, but it started right back up in 2015 with the same level of spirit.

Last year, the Panthers defeated the Warriors, 33-11, continuing to lead the rivalry overall. 

Next game: West Orange hosts Dr. Phillips at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 30.

Horizon/Windermere

As two of the newest schools in West Orange and Southwest Orange, Windermere and Horizon have birthed a new rivalry game — the Battle of the Groves — with the coveted Smudge Pot trophy at stake.

In the first three years, it didn’t seem like much of a rivalry. The Horizon Hawks captured the first three wins in dominating fashion.

However, last year, under the leadership of Riki Smith, the Wolverines finally got over the hump in the most dramatic way possible. Tied 7-7 at the end of the fourth, Horizon and Windermere headed into overtime. Wolverines QB Jack Reilly was able to secure the Smudge Pot with a 1-yard run into the end zone. Not only did the win secure bragging rights over their Horizon West rivals, but also it completed Windermere’s perfect 10-0 season.

Next game: Windermere hosts Horizon at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30.

Ocoee

When West Orange first opened in 1975, Ocoee closed its doors. The school didn’t reopen until 2005 for grades nine through 12.

The two schools only have seven miles between them and with their history, a rivalry quickly formed. It became known as the Battle for the Shield. The game is a battle between schools just as much as it is between communities. 

This matchup is extra important to each because it’s a district game, and each year plays a crucial step in sending the teams a step further after regular season ends. 

Last year, West Orange took the shield 21-14. 

Next game: Ocoee hosts West Orange at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24.

Olympia 

As the area continued to grow, West Orange High School was split again with the birth of Olympia in 2001. It only seemed right to form another rivalry game. 

The schools compete in the Backyard Bowl, exchanging a fence after each victory, symbolizing the yard-like division between them. 

They haven’t played since 2023, when Olympia took a 34-20 win over the Warriors. 

Next game: Olympia hosts West Orange at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17.