#19 South Lake Eagles (7-1, 2-0) vs. #11 Edgewater (6-2, 2-0)

When: Thursday, 7:30

Where: Edgewater High School, Orlando (3100 Edgewater Dr)

TV: BHSN Channel 47 and HD 1147

Live Streaming: Log onto bhsnlive.com to watch the game online.

Coaches: South Lake: Mark Woolum (3rd, 18-10). Edgewater: Rich Bedesem (1st, 6-2).

 

How they match up:

This is the de facto 6A district-10 championship game, as both teams come into the contest tied atop the standings with 2-0 records. South Lake’s Eagles make their first appearance on the Bright House Sports Network Game of the Week, and are assured of appearing in the playoffs for the first time since 2003. Edgewater’s Eagles are one of the most successful teams on BHSN with a 22-12 record in 34 Game of the Week appearances since 1991.

The boys from Groveland were unbeaten until a surprising 49-34 loss last week to Mount Dora on homecoming.  What quarterback Nick Guidetti lacks in size (5-10, 150lbs), he makes up for in toughness. . The senior has passed for over 1300 yards and 13 touchdowns, while throwing just 3 interceptions. His two primary targets are senior Brandon Walker (586 yards, 7TD), and junior Trace McEwen (554 yards, 4TD). Senior Kevin Evans heads the rushing attack with a 6.3 yards-per-carry average, and 9 total touchdowns. The senior-laden offensive line is one of the strengths of the team, and is anchored by T.J. McCoy, a 6-3, 290 pound center committed to North Carolina State. Defensively, the Eagles have size at every level. Senior tackle Cori Samedi (6-3, 290 lbs.) is a force along a four-man front, while highly recruited junior Hunter Howard (6-1, 225 lbs.) leads the linebacker corps.

The Eagles of College Park are riding a 5-game win streak, including an impressive 46-42 victory over #15 Apopka last week. Senior wide receiver M.J. Butler scored on a 45-yard pass play from junior quarterback Cortez Pembleton to secure the win as time expired. Pembleton, a transfer from Leesburg, has passed for over 1,500 yards, and has 23 touchdowns against just 4 interceptions. As a group, his receivers could be the best in Central Florida. Junior Buck Watkins and senior Brandon McLaughlin have 10 touchdowns apiece, while junior Craig Rucker leads the team in yards from scrimmage with a combined 671 yards rushing and receiving, and 7 total touchdowns. Junior running back Joe Clark keeps defenses honest with a 6.6 yards-per-carry average. The Edgewater defense is loaded with play makers including senior linebacker Malik Williams, who led the team in tackles in 2013.

Three and out:

1. Edgewater's Craig Rucker scored two touchdowns in a 33-20 victory over South Lake in 2013.  

2. Rich Bedesem is Edgewater’s 5th head coach in the last 5 seasons.

3. South Lake outscored opponents 298-114 during an 8-game regular season win streak spanning the last two seasons.

Jeff Radcliffe can be reached at jeffrey.radcliffe@bhsn.com. Follow him on Twitter, @Jeff_Radcliffe