Winter Park Has Turned It Around

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>WINTER PARK WILDCATS (8-1, 4-0)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>LAKE NONA, W 42-0</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>North Gwinnett, Georgia, W 31-19</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>ORLANDO BOONE, W 38-3</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Orlando University, W 35-0</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Orlando Evans, W 37-20</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ocoee, L 31-28 (OT)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>OVIEDO HAGERTY, W 35-0</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Orlando Colonial, W 42-0</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>ORLANDO TIMBER CREEK, W 47-3</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>11/4 – ALTAMONTE SPRINGS LAKE BRANTLEY</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After the 2021 season ended and the Winter Park Wildcats finished 6-5, there was a commitment to get better and take things further the following season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fast forward to this year – and after a solid off-season and a busy summer, head coach <strong>Tim Shifflet</strong> and this football team more than turned the corner as they boast an 8-1 record, heading into Friday's regular season finale at home against Lake Brantley.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Other than an overtime setback to much improved Ocoee, this is a team that turned plenty of heads on the way to a district title and a high seeding when the state playoffs begin next week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Even though it's been a team effort, the senior class (2023) truly led the way. Prospects such as <strong>Izaiah Jean-Baptiste</strong> (WR, 5-10, 170), <strong>De'sean Bell </strong>(DE, 6-2, 195), <strong>Jackson Brice</strong> (TE, 6-4, 185), <strong>Withchiel Filamar</strong> (DE, 6-5, 230), <strong>Hudson Gibbs</strong> (DB/RB, 5-9, 170), <strong>Zion Gunn</strong> (WR/DB, 6-3, 175), <strong>Watson Hewitt</strong> (OL/DL, 6-3, 220), <strong>Jayvyn Hunt</strong> (DB/WR, 5-10, 160) and <strong>Rahsaun Mitchell</strong> (S, 5-9, 165) and <strong>Brody Richardson</strong> (TE/DE, 6-2, 215) came up big. So did gifted defensive back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='128525' first='Torian' last='Roberts'] </strong>(6-0, 170), talented <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='381551' first='Amaris' last='Shaw']</strong> (RB/DB, 6-0, 175), <strong>T.J. Shifflet </strong>(WR, 5-9, 170) and receiver <strong>Oliver Van Dyke</strong> (6-2, 185).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Wildcats have also received major contributions from <strong>Brock Walters</strong> (OL/LS, 6-0, 210), <strong>Aidan Warner</strong> (QB, 6-2, 180) and versatile outside linebacker <strong>Wil Watson </strong>(6-1, 195).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>THE UNDERCLASSMEN STEPPED UP IN 2022</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In addition to that quality senior class, this program got a lift from juniors (2024) <strong>Antjuan Cain</strong> (CB, 6-2, 175), <strong>Timothy Crumbly</strong> (OLB, 5-11, 180), <strong>Noah Daniels</strong> (DE, 6-3, 200), <strong>Liam Glassmeyer</strong> (DL, 5-11, 225), <strong>Marc Jenkins</strong> (DE, 6-1, 187), <strong>Jalil Miller</strong> (LB, 5-11, 180), <strong>Denzel Sanchez </strong>(WR, 5-11, 180) and offensive lineman <strong>Aiden Smith</strong> (6-2, 255).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Even sophomore (2025) <strong>Grant Conner</strong> (QB, 6-3, 165) and freshman (2026) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='401364' first='Ayden' last='Pouncey']</strong> (FS, 6-2, 155) gave a glimpse into the future.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PHOTO COURTESY OF WINTER PARK HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TRACKING SOUTH FLORIDA FOOTBALL TEAMS.</strong> <a href="https://larryblustein.com/news/tracking-south-florida-2022">https://larryblustein.com/news/tracking-south-florida-2022</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>For the past 52 years, we have spent plenty of time on football fields than anyone in the country. From games to practices, camps, combines and 7-on-7 events, we get to as many events as possible to see the athletes LIVE. Follow us on Facebook ([player_tooltip player_id='111610' first='Larry' last='Blustein']) Instagram (@OurBoyBlu) and Twitter (@larryblustein). Contact us at: <a href="mailto:Floridakids1@aol.com">Floridakids1@aol.com</a>.</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->