- April 28, 2026
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The sounds of pads clashing out on the gridiron for Friday night lights is only a few more months away. But for now, local high school football teams have begun their spring training voyage in preparation for the first nights of kickoffs.
Each team is allowed 20 spring practices, which began in late April and will continue through the end of May, and are testing the waters of their new lineups and coaching staffs to be showcased in the fall.
This fall season won’t only bring new faces to the sidelines but a new rotation of opponents teams will face.
Back in December, the Florida High School Athletic Association finalized its new classifications for the 2026 to 2028 football seasons. There only are seven classes, rather than eight, under the new classification and the biggest news for our area high school teams was the removal of Class 7A. Dr. Phillips, Ocoee, Olympia and West Orange high schools all played under that class, and the Knights battled the Warriors and the Panthers and Titans were pitted against one another.
Now, those top programs in the West Orange area — three of which made it to regionals last season — all will compete for the same district title.
Dr. Phillips had extended its season the furthest with the team’s regional final appearance but now will begin next fall without its longstanding head coach Rodney Wells at the helm. Head coach Caleb Walls took over the program in February with the same understanding of success and determination to continue DP’s champion title. This spring season will be the fans first opportunity to see how the coveted program is shaping under his guidance.
The Warriors extended their season to the regional semifinals but fell to their kryptonite, Venice. The team graduated its top wide receivers Devonte Anderson and Edison Delagago but are bringing back other powerful forces on offense: quarterback AJ Chung, who had a record-breaking sophomore season, and running back Jayden Ammons, who will be playing his last season in his blue and orange gear.
While Ocoee didn’t get over the regional quarterfinal hurdle, the team still made it past districts to the next level. This year, the Knights will see a new face at its QB1 slot with Nathaniel Watkins III taking over under center. Watkins is a Class of 2028 transfer from East Ridge.
Independent teams also heard some exciting news for the upcoming season during FHSAA’s meeting Monday, April 20. The association’s board of directors met and created the FHSAA’s own Independent League.
For Windermere High, the news is huge. The Wolverines, who had gone 10-0 in back-to-back seasons, were unable to play in the postseason because of the FHSAA’s previous independent rulings. Now, Windermere will be able to seek postseason glory while still opting out of a classification system.
Teams have until Monday, June 1, to officially enroll in the league.
Friday, May 8
3:30 p.m. Dr. Phillips High Blue and White
Thursday, May 14
6 p.m. Windermere Preparatory School at Lake Highland Prep
6:30 p.m. Ocoee High at Oviedo High
7 p.m. Foundation Academy at Santa Fe Catholic
7 p.m. Olympia High vs. Lake Minneola
Friday, May 15
6 p.m. West Orange High’s Orange vs. Blue
6 p.m. Windermere High’s Navy and White
Tuesday, May 19
6 p.m. Dr. Phillips High vs. Winter Park High
Thursday, May 21
7 p.m. The First Academy vs. DeLand
7 p.m. Horizon High vs. Lake Buena Vista High
Friday, May 22
6 p.m. Windermere High vs. Osceola and Gateway (Spring Jamboree)
7 p.m. West Orange High vs. Rockledge
Central Florida Christian Academy: 9-1, SSAA 11-man first-round loss
Dr. Phillips: 9-4, 7A Regional Finals loss
Foundation Academy: 10-3, SSAA 11-man Semifinals loss
Horizon: 4-6
Lake Buena Vista: 4-6
Legacy Charter: 0-9, first year in SSAA 8 Man
Ocoee: 5-6, 7A Regional Quarterfinals loss
Olympia: 3-7
The First Academy: 5-5, ineligible for postseason play
West Orange: 10-2, 7A Regional Semifinals loss
Windermere: 10-0, second consecutive undefeated season
Windermere Prep: 8-3, SSAA 1A Champions
