The Lake Mary vs. Sanford Seminole high school rivalry pits neighboring teams against each other with an embedded dislike. The temperature on the heated rivalry has turned up even higher in recent seasons because the outcomes have determined the state playoff picture for proud programs.

Last year, Seminole forced Lake Mary into a first-round playoff road game by knocking off the Rams in the district title showdown. The Seminoles won a 29-28 thriller in Sanford.

Both teams were upset in the playoffs, each losing to state runner-up Jacksonville Mandarin. In 2022, Lake Mary stunned Seminole in a region semifinal for its only win vs. the ’Noles since 2015. This season, there is sure to be more drama.

Seminole is stocked with talent all over the field. It always starts with defense for the ’Noles. Linebacker Ethan Pritchard, a senior commit to FSU, leads the way. All-state defensive back Juan Berchal, an Appalachian State commit, also returns, and there’s underclass talent abounds. Junior Jlen Chaplin is in the backfield with Berchal. Junior Rasheem Turner will flank Pritchard at one linebacker spot. Junior DE Terrence Thompson also is looking to break out.

But now offense might be Seminole’s best side of the ball, with the ’Noles gaining game-changing transfers in junior quarterback Michael Clayton (Edgewater) and senior running back Khamani Robinson (state champ Daytona Beach Mainland).

Seminole is loaded at running back, with senior Rodney Grant returning. Dr. Phillips transfer Amari Major also is quite capable, as is junior Kamahri Freeman. Up front, the top player in the Sentinel’s 2025 Central Florida Super60 offensive tackle Max Buchanan, a Miami commit, leads the way. Other standout blockers are junior tackle Ashaad Bakhsh and senior center Jadon Blake.

Clayton’s pass targets include seniors David Parks, a versatile Howard commit who also is a standout punter, Devin Voltaire (Leesburg transfer), Xavier Tucker (Olympia transfer) and junior Anthony Gay (Wekiva transfer).

Lake Mary lost just five starters from a year ago and is again a tough hurdle for Seminole. The Rams boast one of the best quarterbacks in the country in Notre Dame commit Noah Grubbs, a junior. Grubbs, who passed for 3,670 yards with 49 touchdowns as a sophomore, in the No. 1 player in the Sentinel’s 2026 Central Florida Super60.

Grubbs’ top three receivers graduated, so he’ll be looking for senior Carson Friedman. Also providing pass-catching outlets will be senior Chase Hinshaw and junior Brian Williams, as well as transfers Tyree Weatherspoon (Mainland) and Parker Perales (Lake Brantley). Senior lineman Dominic Sorrentino, a Holy Cross commit, is the top blocker.

It won’t be all passing for the Rams. Isaiah Thomas, a 1,000-yard senior rusher, is back.

The Lake Mary defense is stout. The senior linebacking trio of Luke Prieto, Elijah Straker and Aireese Martin make things happen. The Rams’ top three tacklers combined for 218 last season. Tanner Jumpp (Lake Brantley transfer), a Northwestern commit, anchors the defensive line along with Rodney Joyner (Hagerty transfer).

The defensive backfield features senior Jack Lorenz, a drop-down safety who fills the box nicely, along with senior cornerback TJ Clayton.

Hagerty reached the playoffs, losing to Seminole in the first round. The Huskies have a good nucleus returning but being moved into the same district as Seminole and Lake Mary clearly amps up the degree of difficulty.

The Huskies have senior quarterback Caden Mitchell, who threw for 2,000 yards, along with senior running backs Jalon Lewis (720 yards) and Porter Williams.

Lake Brantley struggled mightily a year ago, but hopes to bounce back with returners led by tight end Matt Krause, free safety/receiver MJ Mitchell, defensive line/fullback Trent Greenstreet and cornerback/receiver Daniel Swanson. Coach Skip Clayton is counting on sophomore quarterback Cody East to get the triple-option offense rolling for the Patriots.

Hagerty Huskies

Coach: Steve Mikles (5th year, 25-17; career 32-31)

2023: 6-5, 4M region quarterfinals

Lake Brantley Patriots

Coach: Skip Clayton (2nd year, 6-15)

2023: 1-9, missed 4M playoffs

Lake Mary Rams

Coach: Scott Perry (21st year, 138-78)

2023: 10-2, 4M region semifinalist

Seminole Seminoles

Coach: Karl Calhoun Jr. (2nd year, 10-3)

2023: 10-3, 4M district champ; region runner-up