It is believed that Bishop Moore’s district opponents continue to edging closer to conflict. However, the Hornets simply keep improving and reloading.
Mount Dora and Tavares are back in a district with Bishop Moore for the second year, but despite their improvements, both Lake County teams still appear to be comparing themselves to the Hornets.
Bishop Moore’s mastermind, Matt Hedrick, has led the Hornets to one state championship in 2015 and 17 consecutive trips to the state finals. He is entering his 24th season as the school’s head coach, making him the longest-serving head coach in the Orlando region at the age of 55.
Last year, the Hornets and Mount Dora, Hedrick’s alma mater, fought a close game before Bishop Moore won 27–14. Tavares lost to Bishop Moore 41–14. But Hedrick thinks those teams are getting better.
The district is improving, in my opinion. “I am aware that coach [Luke] Hutchinson at Mount Dora is performing admirably, and Gavin Jones at Tavares has a lot of talent and has been there for a long time,” Hedrick said. Additionally, I saw them in the summer, so I know Eustis has improved. In my opinion, the district has a lot of talent this year.
The Hornets’ acquisition of defensive end Drew Follett, a junior transfer from Winter Park, was the team’s biggest offseason story. In addition, Hedrick is thrilled with the development of Blake McCullough, the new quarterback who will take Bjorn Jurgensen’s place. McCullough is a sophomore at Virginia.
However, the receiving corps at Bishop Moore has the most talent. Leading the way is Illinois commit Kenyon Alston, who is accompanied by a formidable all-hands trio consisting of junior Matthew Sullivan, seniors Magus Talma, and Jaxson Anderson. It’s among Orlando’s top receiver groups.
A year ago, Amare Johnson, a returning running back, raced for 1,265 yards and 16 touchdowns as a junior for a squad that fell to Eau Gallie in a contentious Class 3A region championship.
On defense, Follett and Trenton Gummer, a gifted senior cornerback, will be players to keep an eye on. Despite missing four games last season, Gummer recorded four interceptions. Despite only playing six games because of injury, Follett has all the makings of a very successful career. In addition to playing on the offensive line, senior Marco Mohajir is back at defensive tackle.
We have really high expectations because of the great chemistry on this team, Hedrick stated. We’re working to ensure that the lads have the correct mindset and that they genuinely think we can surpass our performance from the previous two years.
Bishop Moore felt that the officiating errors in last year’s area final made it difficult to accept the loss. Both Anderson and Alston were injured and missed the game.
We use that because, according to Hedrick, we know we ought to have won that game, advanced to the state playoffs, and played at home. These folks want to do that, then. Reach the stage where you are rapping on someone’s door.
We were there, so there’s no reason to believe that those kinds of opportunities aren’t ahead of us.
Last year, Mount Dora defeated Tavares 15–12 at home in a dogfight and advanced to the playoffs, where they were defeated by Dunnellon in the opening round. Despite having a 7-3 season, Tavares did not advance.
Last year, I believe we made some progress on [Bishop Moore]. Hutchinson stated, “I don’t think they expected that too much.” Some may have been surprised that the game was so close.
I do believe we are catching up to them, but Coach Hedrick performs so well there each year that it is difficult to catch up to him while he is also making progress. There, he has long had success.
Tavares running back Tymir Gaines’ decision to move across the Golden Triangle to Mount Dora has heightened the animosity between the two teams over the past two seasons. Gaines ran for 1,779 yards and 19 touchdowns last season, helping Mount Dora to an 8-3 record.
After going 0–10 in 2022, Tavares has been improving. The Bulldogs are led by multi-talented star Izayia Williams, a fierce running back and linebacker who committed to Ole Miss. In addition, Tavares brings back Tamauri Collins, a junior running back who led a 7-3 team with 706 yards and 13 touchdowns.
The Eustis Panthers
Coach: 2nd year, 1–9 Darrell Harrison.
2024: 1–9; 3A playoffs were missed.
Hornets of Bishop Moore
Coach: Matt Hedrick (187-80, 24th year).
2024: 10-3, runner-up in the 3A region.
Hurricanes in Mount Dora
Coach: Luke Hutchinson, 21-10, fourth year.
2024: 3A playoffs, 8-3.
Bulldogs of Tavares
Gavin Jones is the coach (3rd year, 12-8; career, 25-26, 5 seasons).
2024: missed the 3A playoffs, 7-3.
You may reach Chris Hays at X.com@OS_ChrisHays.
