By Jeffery Laux
Softball:
Record: 20-6
Overview: The softball team at Apopka had a tremendous season that came to a shocking end. Reaching the #1 seed in the district, winning more than 20 games, and playing their hearts out all season long. You could see district championship written all over the wall, but a heartbreaking loss to Olympia in the district semifinals made that dream disappear in a quick second. Unfortunately that game would be the end of their phenomenal season. The Lady Darters look forward to the new season next year even though the team is losing many senior players that are leaders and monumental players in the new age of softball for Apopka. The breath of life in this team has been revived with full gusts for next season. Coach MacWithey is beyond “proud” of all of his player’s hard work and dedication towards the program this season.
Flag Football:
Record: 7-5
Overview: Apopka’s flag football team has been dominant in their division ever since they were brought up, which was about 20 years ago. The stardom of the team has been nursed and put into place by Coach Matthew Houvouras who has a part of this team since the origin of flag football at Apopka as a coach. This year had a rough start in the regular season as none of the hype was lived up to during the preseason. The Darters began the season ranked #15 in the state of Florida over many highly touted teams in Miami, Jacksonville, and Tampa. Even though it was a detrimental season to their own standards, they finished 2-1 at the prestigious Capital City Classic that was played against top tier talent spread across Florida. The leadership of Gracie Darlington and Cassidy Proctor helped this team mold as young and cohesive unit throughout the season. Coach Houvouras relays the message that his “team’s attitude has never wavered.” They come in and work hard each and every day and they have never stopped believing in each other or the coaches. “They have been a joy to coach all season long.”
Baseball:
Record: 19-6
Overview: Kicking and fighting till the end. Apopka’s baseball team has played with a chip on their shoulder all year long and they won’t let it go until they become district champions or at the top of their whole region. They have proved that they are up to the challenge numerous times this season. One of the biggest challenges was winning the Orlando Metro Conference West Division in which they haven’t done since 1999. They beat Ocoee 4-0 and proved to be out for blood. They recently showed out on their senior night against Deland shutting them out 10-0. Coach McDaniel’s has been ecstatic about how his team has showed up to the call. Apopka was warranted one of the hardest schedules in the district and has shown up to every match by being 7-1 in their district matchups. McDaniel’s says that “this season has been a fun ride for all the players and coaches, and that we have some unfinished business to handle this week to make it a great year.” The next matchup for the Darters will be in the district semifinal against the Lake Brantley Patriots, our bitter rivals.
*Update: As of this publication, Apopka played Lake Brantley on 5/2. However, one of the field lights blew out during the ___ inning of the game. The game was called for the evening, with Lake Brantley up 1-0, and will be finished on 5/3. Lake Brantley came away with the victory.