- April 17, 2024
-
-
Loading
Loading
West Orange receiver Eddie McDoom was one of five Central Floridians participating in the game.
Warriors quarterback Woody Barrett warmed up on the sideline.
Woody Barrett and Team Armour head coach Steve Mariucci watch one of the several player commitments that took place during Saturday's game.
Woody Barrett prepares to take his first snap as the starting quarterback for Team Armour.
Woody Barrett completes a pass to Kareem Walker.
Woody Barrett receives the play call from the sideline.
Woody Barrett lets a pass fly during the 2016 Under Armour All-America Game.
Herm Edwards was the head coach for Team Highlight.
Eddie McDoom and his Team Highlight teammates get the play call in the huddle.
Eddie McDoom hauls in a touchdown pass.
Eddie McDoom scored the first touchdown of the 2016 Under Armour All-America Game.
Teammates celebrated with McDoom after his touchdown.
Teammates celebrated with McDoom after his touchdown.
McDoom was targeted three times during the contest.
McDoom and a teammate receive advice from one of their Team Highlight coaches.
The Ocoee High band performed at the game.
Eddie McDoom fielded questions from reporters after the game.
The Citrus Bowl, which hosted the Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl on Jan. 1, played host to the 2016 Under Armour All-America Game Jan. 2.
ORLANDO A little over 100 of the best high school football players from around the nation converged on the Orlando Citrus Bowl the afternoon of Jan. 2, two of which were familiar faces to fans of West Orange High's football program.
West Orange senior quarterback Woody Barrett and senior wide receiver Eddie McDoom both played in Saturday's 2016 Under Armour All-America Game in front of a national television audience on ESPN2 and an announced crowd of 24,186.
Barrett, an Auburn commit, was the starting quarterback for Team Armour and also was one of the captains for his side. McDoom, an Oregon commit, was on the receiving end of the game's first touchdown — a 12-yard reception from Team Highlight quarterback Malik Henry, a Florida State-commit hailing from Long Beach, Cal.
McDoom's Team Highlight would win the contest, 27-0.
"It felt amazing," McDoom said of hauling in the touchdown reception. "I opened it up for the game — I feel like I did. The route was there, the ball was a little late but I got it."
The game itself was the culmination of a weeklong affair. Players practiced at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex and received instruction from experts and high-profile football personalities, including Herm Edwards and Steve Mariucci — coaches of Team Highlight and Team Armour, respectively.
"I learned a lot — the receivers coach taught me a lot of things that I need to tweak in my game," McDoom said. "Learning from Herm Edwards is blessing — he's a really good dude."
Both Warrior standouts were cheered on in their final high school game by family, friends and other West Orange fans. Pockets of Warrior fans and players were among the crowd at the Citrus Bowl and the Ocoee High band and cheerleaders performed. Accordingly, whenever Barrett or McDoom's names were called out by the public address announcer, there was a hearty cheer of support.
"I was on the (Team Highlight) sideline right next to my family and my best friends and that was great — then you get on the other sideline and I see all my fellow student athletes cheering me on," McDoom said, expressing gratitude to those who came out for the game. "So it was great."
Contact Steven Ryzewski at [email protected].
