Lake Nona QB Kevin Sousa has a chance to shine on BHSN's Game of the Week

Once again it’s time to toss out a few of those bits of tid from the Bright House Sports Network extended I-4 corridor.

First a reminder.

The BHSN Game of the Week for Central Florida viewers is Harmony vs. Lake Nona, Friday at 7:30 p.m.

This is an opportunity for two school communities who might not have a televised opportunity, feel pretty good about themselves and their program, plus it’s a chance for fans and recruiting fanatics a look at Lake Nona quarterback Kevin Sousa (6-4/220), one of Central Florida’s top-ranked senior football prospects, who has committed to the University of Michigan. FYI, Sousa will be joining a program that already has 12 Floridians on the roster, including eight who are listed on the Wolverine two-deep and battling for playing time.

It’s also an intriguing budding rivalry with the two schools located in adjoining but separate counties (Orange and Osceola) yet, as the crow flies, probably not more than 10 to 15 miles apart.

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One of the state’s oldest rivalries will be renewed on Friday for the 87th time.

That is correct. The number is 87 when Kissimmee Osceola travels across county to face St. Cloud at Tom Gannarelli Field. The first game between the two ancient rivals was played in 1923.

There weren’t too many other schools and football programs in the ‘20s, but among them were Apopka, Winter Park, Ocoee and Leesburg. No, I was not around to cover any of those games.

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Melbourne Palm Bay showed in its Kickoff Classic victory last week that it is ready to keep its streak of consecutive playoff appearances going in 2010. Coach Dan Burke’s squad has played in the postseason 14 consecutive years and, led by the passing combination of quarterback Stephen Hughes to receiver Nuel Merriel, goes after a 15th berth in a row.

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Even though it’s a non-district game, when Edgewater travels to Dr. Phillips Friday for the season-opener, there is plenty at stake, including pride and state and local rankings. Both teams feature fancy-passing, underclass quarterbacks – junior Nick Patti for Dr. Phillips and sophomore J.B. Woodman for Edgewater. So protecting the passer will be a prime practice focus for both coaching staffs.

Dr. Phillips starts an offensive line of two seniors, two juniors and a sophomore – led by Colorado State commitment Darius Johnson (6-4/275) – that averages 260 pounds per blocker. Edgewater stars an offensive line of two sophomores, two juniors that brings a 250-pound average. Add senior star tight end (and defensive end) Deion Green (6-3/220), a UCF commitment and that’s a bunch of blocking strength.

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Several of the state’s and Central Florida’s top recruits showed why they are ranked so high with various Kickoff Classic and Jamboree performances.

Dr. Phillips safety Ha’sean Clinton-Dix (Alabama) had a sack, fumble recovery and a pair of long runs on offense that were nullified by penalties. Davenport Ridge Community safety Karlos Williams (FSU) was credited with 12 tackles, two for loss. Lake City Columbia defensive lineman Tim Jernigan (Undeclared) was credited with five tackles for loss in just two quarters. And Robert Way, perhaps the top performer on the field at Daytona Beach Municipal Stadium for the Florida vs. USA Challenge, led Belle Glade Glades Central to a 6-0 victory over Dallas (Texas) Skyline, being credited with eight tackles, five for loss. He’s a linebacker (6-1/190) who makes tackles from sideline to sideline.

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Dallas Skyline goes from the frying pan into the fire next Friday. The Texans welcome Florida’s perennial powerhouse Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas in the season opener for George Smith’s Raiders.

But that won’t be the biggest challenge of the week for Florida football. That comes on Monday in Columbus, Ohio, where the No. 1-ranked team in the Buckeye State, Cleveland Glenville, plays defending Florida 4A state champ Palm Beach Gardens Dwyer. This is definitely a snapshot moment since the star player for Dwyer is coveted tight end Nick O’Leary, the grandson of golfing legend Jack Nicklaus, who also just happens to be a legendary Ohio State fan.