The opening round of the FHSAA state series featured significant upsets as lower-ranked teams proved their postseason worth.
Lake Mary and Osceola, both teams entering the playoffs with losing records, successfully advanced after securing narrow victories, reported Yahoo Sports.
Lake Mary eliminated Creekside 28-25, while Osceola defeated Melbourne 20-13.
In a major upset, Dr. Phillips overcame a late deficit to defeat West Orange 20-19.
Sophomore quarterback Tien Williams led an 86-yard drive in the final minutes to secure the win, according to the Orlando Sentinel.
Dr. Phillips coach Caleb Walls praised his team’s resilience, stating, “Every week we go into a game, nobody counts us in,” as noted in local coverage.
Elsewhere, top-seeded Seminole maintained its undefeated streak by holding off a late charge from Lake Brantley in a 50-36 victory.
Seminole coach Karl Calhoun Jr. credited the team’s ability to establish a running game for the win, per the Orlando Sentinel.
The statewide landscape also saw historic shifts in the inaugural Open Division play.
Lakeland stunned the nation’s top-ranked team, St. Thomas Aquinas, in a contest that may see a rematch later in the pool play format.
Other notable results included Columbus defeating Miami Central 40-3 and Chaminade-Madonna shutting out Venice 35-0.
Evans High School also moved forward after a victory against Bartram Trail, despite losing starting quarterback Will Jackson to a thumb injury.
Receiver Brian Dillard stepped in to account for two touchdowns during the win, the outlets reported.
Lake Nona earned its first playoff win in school history by defeating East Ridge 42-21, behind a strong performance from quarterback Eli Nickerson.
Mainland also advanced in dramatic fashion, using a 42-yard field goal at the buzzer to edge Winter Park 31-28.
The playoffs continue next week as survivors prepare for the next round of the state series.