Stars should shine for Apopka-East Ridge football matchup

Buddy Collings INSIDE HIGH SCHOOLS
October 29, 2008
A district title is at stake when Class 6A top-ranked Apopka (7-1, 3-0) goes to Clermont to take on East Ridge (7-1, 3-0) on Friday night.

And if that's not enough entertainment for $5 admission and $3 parking, fans also get to witness two guys in the running for the Florida Mr. Football player-of-the-year award.

Apopka's Jeremy Gallon was a preseason favorite for any honor available and hasn't disappointed. He does it all as a single-wing quarterback, but he is at his best when he takes a direct snap and scoots. Gallon has run for 1,417 yards this season and is closing in on 4,000 for his career.

On the flip side of a game that could turn into a highlight reel is East Ridge senior Jeremy Wright, the area rushing leader with 1,850 yards. All he did last time out is rack up the second-highest single-game total in state history with 492 in a 49-31 victory against Wekiva.


"Gallon makes more cuts and makes more people miss," Apopka Coach Rick Darlington said in comparing the two. "Jeremy Wright is going to find something, make one cut and go. He's so dadgum fast and smooth. You watch film, and no one ever gets a shot on him."

Apopka-East Ridge tops a big district destiny night that has 6A-1 leader Jacksonville Mandarin (6-2, 3-0) at DeLand (3-4, 2-1), Lake Brantley (5-2, 3-0) at Seminole (5-2, 2-0) for the 6A-2 lead, Freedom (5-3, 2-1) at Boone (7-0, 2-0) in 6A-5, and Daytona Beach Mainland (7-0, 2-0) at Hagerty (3-4, 2-0) for first place in 5A-4.

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Orlando Sentinel

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