The Lake Highland Prep football program and ninth-year head coach Ben Bullock have been through quite a bit of change since winning 21 straight games and back to back Sunshine State Athletic Association titles in 2021 and 2022.
The Highlanders (7-2), however, are right back in the thick of things in this year’s SSAA playoffs, having reached the quarterfinals. Lake Highland will host Foundation Academy on Friday at 7 p.m., in a rematch of a regular season game won by LHP, 28-21.
There are nine Orlando teams still alive in the SSAA playoffs (see schedule below).
Bullock said defeating a team for the second time in a season definitely presents its challenges.
“It’s balance between trying to do some new things, but also trying to not confuse your own selves. Show them some things they may not have seen the first time around,” Bullock said. “There are difficulties in trying to beat a team a second time, and they are a good program. Coach White’s got them rolling.”
Coach White is DJ White, who took over the Foundation program this season and has done an impressive job with the Lions (9-2).
LHP, following its run of two SSAA titles, lost about 22 players to transfers and had to rebuild things again in a grass roots movement involving many younger players. The players who stuck with the program, said Bullock, are a key reason why the Highlanders are back in contention.
“It’s been great, and it’s all the kids. This group of juniors and seniors are veterans now. They were freshmen and sophomores in 2023, playing varsity football for the first time, struggling and figuring out that world,” Bullock said. “They committed to it, the guys who stayed. They’ve grown up, embraced it and knew it would be difficult. But how they have so many games under their belt. This group has grown together and really become very close.”
Quarterback Will Wankelman leads the Highlanders, and he actually left the program for two years before returning for his senior season. He has thrown for 1,091 yards and 18 touchdowns.
On the other side, Foundation senior Braylon Marks has thrown for 1,893 yards and 19 touchdowns.
“He’s done an outstanding job, and to see his growth and maturity since the time I got here in late January has been tremendous,” White said.
White, who played high school football at Apopka, came to Foundation after two years as a linebackers coach at Delaware University.
“We feel blessed and highly favored. God has been good to us and we are so thankful for that,” White said. “We’re very grateful for the opportunity, and we want to keep the momentum and keep it going through Friday night.”
SSAA Playoffs
(All 7 p.m.)
Thursday’s Game
City of Life (5-5) at All Saints (6-2)
Friday’s Games
Aucilla Christian (8-1) at Mount Dora Christian (10-1)
Foundation Academy (9-20at Lake Highland Prep (7-2)
Orangewood Christian (6-4) at Master’s Academy (5-5)
Marco Island (4-7) at Windermere Prep (6-3)
Geneva (2-10) at Bishop McLaughlin (3-7)
Lake Mary Prep (4-6) at Saint Francis (3-6)
Real Life Christian (10-0) at Bell Creek (6-4)
Chris Hays can be found on X.com @OS_ChrisHays.
