Under the glow of the lights on Senior Night, Oviedo came in the game against Eustis, celebrating a thrilling 28-29 District Championship win over Evans, and showed no signs of slowing down as they steamrolled the Eustis High School Panthers 63-6. Backup quarterback Caden Manning, a sophomore, threw five touchdowns and 183 yards, and the defense gained four total sacks.
This game meant much more than just football to the Lions. It was the final regular-season game in the careers of the senior members of the team. The feelings on the field were bittersweet, as an easy win evoked memories of past games and the growth that came with the sport.
Some of the seniors on the team have been playing football since they were five or six years old, and some have even played in Oviedo since that age.
Micah Thorpe, a senior who plays center, described the feeling of going into his final game, knowing this is probably the last time he’ll play on his home field.
“It feels amazing. Winning the district and finishing the season at home makes it even more special.” Thorpe said.
With a thrilling district victory, the added final home-field victory was just what the Lions needed as they head into the playoffs.
“It feels amazing knowing that we fought hard and worked hard for that district championship.” Miguel Hernandez, a senior defensive lineman, said.
The Lions head to the state playoffs on Nov. 14, and their opponent and field will be announced on Nov. 6.
“ We’re focused and hungry. We know what we’re capable of, and we just have to stay locked in and play our game.” Thorpe said. Last year, the Lions lost to Pace in the first round of the playoffs. Lion’s players and fans hope to see the opposite outcome this year, bringing them one step closer to the state championship.
“I want to go as deep into the playoffs as we possibly can with my team, and the only goal I have is to just ball out with my brothers and go deep,” Hernandez said.
If the Lions were to advance, it would be the first time since a one-point victory against Wharton in 2022, the seniors’ freshman year.
“We know that whoever we play is gonna be a hard team, but we know that we want it more than they do,” Hernandez said.
For the Lions, this game wasn’t the end of a story. It was just another step on a journey. Looking back on his career, Thorpe said football taught him “discipline, leadership, and how to handle adversity.” It isn’t just a game for these players. It teaches them how to be better people.
While Oviedo’s first opponent in the playoffs hasn’t been announced yet, this game will go down as the end of some great careers or as an example of the momentum Oviedo hopes to carry into the regional semifinals.
