No. 14 Lake Mary Rams (7-3) at No. 6 Wekiva Mustangs (9-1)

When: Friday, 7:30pm

Where: Baptiste Orthodontics Stadium, Apopka (2501 Hiawassee Rd.)

TV: Spectrum Sports (Channel 47 and HD 1147)

Coaches: Lake Mary – Scott Perry (13th, 81-55); Wekiva – Rich Bedesem (2nd, 16-5)

About the matchup: The 8A state playoffs begin with the first ever meeting between Lake Mary and Wekiva.  

Despite back-to-back losses to Seminole and Winter Park, Lake Mary earned a spot in the playoffs for the first time since 2014. The Rams are the seventh seed in the 8A, Region 1 bracket. Lake Mary is led by one of the area’s top dual threat quarterbacks in senior Brandon Brown. He has thrown for 1,773 yards and 17 touchdowns with 579 yards and seven scores on the ground. Senior running back Calvin Davis is over 1,000 yards rushing and 10 touchdowns for the second consecutive season. Pedro Rodriguez (39 catches, 645 yards, 9 TD), Sam Whitty (28-364-4) and Seraiah Abram (14-359-2) are all big play threats when the Rams put the ball in the air. After not allowing more than 33 points in any of their first eight games, Lake Mary gave up 49 to Seminole and 35 against Winter Park. It’s a defense that has gotten contributions from a number of positions, with nine different players recording a takeaway. The leading tacklers are sophomore Brock Johnson (97) and junior Jordan Dongilli (74).

Friday will mark the first ever home playoff game for Wekiva. The memorable season for the Mustangs includes the program’s first district title and first victory against rival Apopka. Wekiva has one of the top defenses in Central Florida and is only allowing only 9.5 points per game with three shutouts. The success of that defense starts with an intimidating defensive line comprised of three juniors – Tyler Davis, Erion Lowe and Norell Pollard. Davis is rated as the ninth best junior defensive tackle in the nation by 247 Sports and his list of offers includes Florida, Florida State, Ohio State and Michigan. The secondary includes two Apopka transfers, Jarvis Ware and Cayvian Holmes. Wekiva’s roster has a total of nine players that suited up for Apopka last year. The Mustangs offense has found a rhythm by committing to Brandon Williams at quarterback. The senior has thrown for eight touchdowns and leads the team in rushing with 615 yards and six touchdowns. Birthel Bridges (75 carries, 430 yards, 6 TD) figures to be featured heavily in the run game while Terrence Moore (13 receptions, 475 yds, 4 TD) is a deep threat as a receiver.  

Three and out:

1. Bedesem has reached the playoffs in all four of his seasons as a head coach. He guided Edgewater to the postseason in 2014-15 and led the Mustangs to the playoffs last year.  

2. Lake Mary’s last playoff win came in 2014 when the Rams beat Flagler Palm Coast 43-30 in a first round game.

3. Wekiva is 12-2 in their last 14 games with both losses coming at the hands of Winter Park.