‘Experts’ Should Pay Attention To West Orange

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Before the start of the 2024 high school football season, those who rank teams gave Winter Garden West Orange little chance to do anything in 7A statewide.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Veteran head coach <strong>Geno Thompson</strong> and his Warriors were returning players, but many were young and were looking to the season ahead to gain that experience needed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After racing out to a 5-0 start, the team suffered their first loss - a convincing 39-13 setback to Orlando Evans.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While that loss, the first of the season, could have sent this team into a downward spiral, it didn't. They showed character, and made a run into the post season after finishing first in district play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was during that playoff run that those “experts” who had not picked this team as one to watch, started to pay attention - with wins over Apopka and Plant City.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While the season came to an end in the third round to eventual state champion Venice, it set the tone for the future and also served as a reminder that this group shouldn't be counted out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At the recent media days at Camping World Stadium, Coach Thompson talked about the character and talent of the team for the 2025 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Winter Garden West Orange</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>HEAD COACH: </strong>Geno Thompson</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DISTRICT: 5-7A</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 RECORD: 10-3</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 SCHEDULE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>8/22 – Orlando Evans</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>8/29 - @Apopka Wekiva</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>9/5 – Titusville</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>9/12 - @Orlando Boone</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>9/19 – Orlando Lake Buena Vista</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>9/26 - @Apopka</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>10/10 – Ocala West Port</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>10/17 – Orlando Olympia</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>10/24 - @Ocoee</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>10/30 – Orlando Dr. Phillips</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are some of the prospects who joined head Coach Thompson on stage at Camping World Stadium for Central Florida Media Days:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PROSPECTS TO WATCH</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 – [player_tooltip player_id='1251731' first='Devonte' last='Anderson'], DB/WR, 6'1, 190. </strong>One of the more versatile prospects in the region. A year ago, he had 38 tackles, three interceptions and 10 pass break ups on the defensive side of the ball. On offense, he piled up 447 yards and one touchdown reception. An outstanding special teams performer – returning one kick for a score. Louisville commit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/17699780/Devonte-Anderson" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/17699780/Devonte-Anderson</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2028 – Andrew “A.J.” Chung, QB, 6'0, 175 – 4.815 GPA. </strong>One of the emerging stars of the class. Someone who had the chance to play as a freshman and responded with 861 yards and eight touchdown passes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/21951937/Andrew-Chung" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/21951937/Andrew-Chung</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 – [player_tooltip player_id='1580840' first='Edison' last='Delgado'], WR/DB, 5'9, 163 – 3,2 GPA. </strong>Another elite two-way performer that collected 40 receptions on offense for 574 yards and five touchdowns. Playing on defense he came up with a pair of fumble recoveries and an interception.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/17713924/Edison-Delgado" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/17713924/Edison-Delgado</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2028 – Matheus Kaminski-Cordeiro, Edge/LB, 6'3, 215. </strong>As a versatile defensive prospect, his freshman season saw him finish with 59 tackles, 22 tackles for loss, five sacks, one forced fumble and a blocked punt.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/21994170/Matheus-Kaminski-Cordeiro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/21994170/Matheus-Kaminski-Cordeiro</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 – Chakai Scott, DB, 5'10, 174. </strong>Talk about productive – how about 72 tackles, four tackles for loss, seven pass break ups and one interception. His play on special teams was essential for this team as he came up with an amazing five blocked kicks. Committed to attend Sacramento State.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/17748996/Chakai-Scott" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/17748996/Chakai-Scott</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Statewide Coverage Daily.</strong> <strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/florida/">https://prepredzone.com/florida/</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>You Can Contact Larry Blustein with prospect or team information at:</strong> Floridakids1@aol.com.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>COACHES, PLAYERS: Do You Have A Subscription? Contact us for a savings code so you can see what everyone has been talking about!</strong> Floridakids1@aol.com.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->