Quarterback 

There is a good group of QB's in the area for next season led by Trevor Siemian and Blake Bortles.

Trevor Siemian Olympia- Passed for over 2000 yards and 20 TD's.  Good size 6'3 180 lbs with a strong arm.  Showed good accuracy 76% completition percentage and the ability to bye time with his feet.  He should be a major D1 recruit.

Blake Bortles Oviedo- Passed for over 2400 yards and 20 TD's.  Good size and has good arm strength.  Not as accurate as Siemian but also has good mobility.  He should be a D1 recruit.

#12 Lake Brantley 6-3 at #9 Spruce Creek 7-2  This is a rematch of last years first round game when Spruce Creek was the runner up and Lake Brantley was the district champion.  Spruce Creek traveled to Tom Storey Field and shocked the Patriots 23-22 in route to a regional final appearance where they would eventually lose to Apopka.  This year the tide has turned.  Spruce Creek is the district champion and Lake Brantley must travel looking for revenge from last year.  These two teams got together in the kick off classic this year in a game that Lake Brantley won but that was 10 weeks ago and I don't put a lot of stock in kick off classics.  However, these two teams are very familiar with each other and a little rivalry between a Volusia and a Seminole County school has begun. 
 
Spruce Creek 
 
Spruce Creek is averaging 312 yards a game, 29 points a game and have scored over 30 points in five games.  The Hawks are led by QB Shane Peludat.  Peludat has thrown for 1,300 yards and 12 touchdowns compared to only 2 interceptions.  Over his career he has over 3,000 yards passing.  Peludat makes good decisions and has a good arm.  His top receiver is Andrew Coates.  Coats has 500 yards receiving and four touchdowns.  Coats is a possession receiver that finds a way to get open.  The Hawks use a back by committee philosophy.  Latherius Giles, Adam Lampert and Chase Sofiak have combined for over 1,000 yards rushing and 15 touchdowns.  Giles leads the team in rushing and touchdowns but Lampert and Sofiak have similar stats.  This team really doesn't have a standout offensive weapon but they do a very good job distributing the ball to keep the defense off balance.
 

Surprise teams of the year

1. St. Cloud 8-1  This team suffered two dismal seasons in a row entering the year.  After a week 1 loss to Osceola the Bulldogs have reeled off 8 wins in a row.  The schedule hasn't been super difficult but they have wins over Harmony, Bishop Moore and Eustis all teams with more talent than St. Cloud.  The biggest difference in this team is the return of QB EJ White.  White missed all of last year with a torn ACL. His leadership and decision making has been the big reason for the turn around this year.  White has over 2,000 yards passing and 17 touchdowns plus 8 rushing touchdowns and only 6 interceptions.  The return of WR Donnie Jennert also helped and WR James Boone has emerged as a big time threat that gives them a potent passing attack that can put up points.  The defense has been very opportunistic and made plays in the end to seal wins for them.  St. Cloud is district champions and with a win over Poinciana they will finish 9-1.

#1 Boone at #4 Dr. Phillips  Two of the best teams in Central Florida will strap it up Friday night.  These teams have played close games the last four times and I expect the same this year.  I think Boone is too disciplined and finds a way to win on the road.  Boone by 3

Deland scores two touchdowns in the final 37 seconds and then gets a two point conversion from RB Mike Gillislee to edge Mandarin 29-28 and keep its playoff hopes alive.  Gillislee rushed for over 200 yards and Deante Saunders took over in the final 37 seconds with a 12 yard touchdown run and a big reception after the onside kick giving Deland the ball on the two yard line.  Deland needs to beat Flagler Palm Coast next week to possibly set up a 3 way shootout for the District Championship.  Mandarin and Spruce Creek have easier matchups and Deland better not celebrate too long because Flagler Palm Coast is a decent team.