Orlando might have a new bully on the block as The First Academy has captured the attention of Central Florida after their week 2 comeback that left the Edgewater Eagles shellshocked. Going to play Edgewater in the regular season has been a nightmare for nearly a decade now, and the Eagles were riding a 28-game regular season win streak before the Royals stunned coach Duke’s squad.
Even before the game kicked off, it was chippy and chirpy between players and coaches from both sides. The First Academy made waves in the off-season with a massive influx of talented transfers from across the area, which rubbed some coaches in the city the wrong way.
The Eagles were fired up and ready to blow off some steam since their week 1 game was postponed, but the Royals were ready out the gate marching down the field to take an early 7-0 lead. Edgewater’s offense stalled to begin the game, but a 17-yard touchdown from Saphir Miller evened the game at 7 a piece. TFA controlled the trenches early on and the area’s top offensive line was looking the part all night. Demetrice McCray got loose on a 28-yard touchdown to regain the lead, but the Eagles once again drove down the field to make it 14-14 after a physical second quarter from both teams that ended with an Edgewater field goal to capture the lead 17-14 going into the half.
The third quarter was a defensive period where both highly touted units made plays, but the 4th is where the magic happened.
It began with Edgewater still clinging to a 3-point lead before a Josh Perry touchdown run gave the Eagles a two-possession lead about halfway through the quarter, making the atmosphere in the stadium palpable with excitement for another great start for Coach Duke’s formidable squad.
And then the momentum shifted. The Royals got the ball and senior Salomon Georges locked in for a special sequence. Big throws to Evan James and “Meat” McCray got TFA to the one-yard line where they punched it in to make it a 3-point game with just around 3 and a half to go.
A quick stop by the Royal’s defense gave Salomon Georges a chance to go win it and on 4th and 15 he threw a prayer to Demetrice McCray who made an unbelievable catch to go 60 yards for the eventual game-winner. TFA’s Danny Odem ended the game with an interception and the celebration began to cap off a magical night for 2nd year head coach Jeff Conway.
It was only week 2, but the atmosphere and intensity of this one matched a win-or-go-home level the whole night. It was very clear early on that The First Academy had a point to prove, and the Eagles were not taking the game lightly from the jump.
TFA has completely shaken up the power balance in Central Florida and will continue facing tough matchups all season long.
Following the instant classic between, everybody should have 10/18 circled as TFA hosts another Central Florida power, the Sanford Seminoles.