Hagerty Huskies (3-3, 0-1 8A, District 3) at Winter Park Wildcats (4-2, 1-1)
When: Friday, 7:30pm
Where: Showalter Field, Winter Park (2525 Cady Way)
TV: BHSN (Channel 47 and HD 1147)
Live Streaming: www.bhsnlive.com
Coaches: Hagerty – Phil Ziglar (2nd, 6-10); Winter Park – Tim Shifflet (8th, 55-30)
How they match up: Friday’s district tilt serves as a de facto elimination game in the chase for playoff positions from 8A, District 3. Hagerty lost its district opener to Oviedo while Winter Park has split its two district games, defeating Orlando University before falling to Timber Creek. The Wildcats started the season 4-0 and have a penchant for close games. Six of their seven games this season have been decided by seven points or less. Winter Park relies heavily on the run with Tyshaun Ingram (61 car, 400 yd, 5 TD) and Malik Foy (67 car, 239 yd, 2 TD). The Wildcats anticipate the return of quarterback J.P. Colton, who was sustained an ankle injury early in the season opener against Lake Nona, is expected to return this week, though how much he’ll play remains a question. The Wildcats defense will see a familiar face in Hagerty quarterback Michael Beaudry (482 pass yds, 3 TDs), a Winter Park transfer. Versatile back Tristan Tucker (106 car, 523 yds, 5 TDs) is the Huskies leading rusher while Alex Swenson (14 rec, 217 yds, TD) is the team’s leading receiver. Winter Park topped Hagerty last year 24-8 en route to winning the district title.
Three and out:
1. Ziglar has the fifth-most victories among active Central Florida coaches. He was 139-112 in 23 seasons as the head coach at Boone.
2. 2014 marks the 86th season of Winter Park football and the Wildcats have racked up 516 victories.
3. Hagerty and Winter Park are both coming off back-to-back close losses. The Huskies have dropped two straight by a total of five points while the Wildcats losses have come by a combined 10 points.
Austin Lyon can be reached at austin.lyon@bhsn.com. Follow him on Twitter, @AustinRLyon