First-year East River coach Adam Chappell takes over a team that has been placed in a non-playoff group of Orange County Public Schools, a plan designed for struggling programs to have success while not playing for district titles or state playoff berths

There are eight Orange County teams in the independent division, none of which won more than five games last season. Lake Buena Vista went 5-4, with three of those wins coming against schools that now have OCPS status.

The decision to go independent and soften schedules was entirely up to each school, which could petition earlier this year after the Florida State High School Athletic Association completed its statewide realignment of classes.

“That’s a school-based decision and we do accommodate those requests. We’ll go ahead and take them out,” FHSAA associate director Scott Jamison told the Sentinel in January.

Chappell, who saw playoff action last year on the coaching staff at Edgewater, intends for this to be the only season the Falcons are not aiming for postseason play.

It will be a tough task, taking over a 2-8 team, but he’s optimistic.

Chappell is looking for offensive weapons, including a quarterback to step up and lead. Junior Will Billingsley will have that task and his blind side will be protected by big-time offensive line talent D’joni Scatliffe, a 6-foot-7, 270-pound Syracuse commit who transferred from Colonial. The Falcons have another key newcomer in defensive back/running back Jahvon Robinson and tight end Daniel Gilliard is back.

Windermere, in its third season under coach Riki Smith, also hopes to rev up things. Smith said his team is young and unproven, but boasts of more athleticism. He expects to “be a better football team than last season.”

The Wolverines went 3-8. Smith is happy to have transfer quarterback Jack Reilly, an Illinois transplant who tried out at West Orange last year but returned to his home state. What Smith really likes is his team speed, in ability and name. Shifty senior Bryce Speed will be all over the field, and Shawn Falahpour is a talented receiver/defensive back.

Running back C.J. Bronaugh, a transfer from Foundation Academy, is one of the fastest football players in the state. Offensive lineman Deuce Forrester is experienced, as are tight end Sean Daly and the Fernandes twins, Theo and Enzo, who play multiple positions.

Windermere also has defensive end Daniel Bradley, whom Smith is very high on. The 6-foot-4, 240-pound transfer from Windermere Prep is expected to break out.

Colonial Grenadiers

Coach: Austin Rocheleau (1st year)

2023: 1-9, missed 4M playoffs

Cypress Creek Bears

Coach: Ryan Mills (1st year; 12-39 career)

2023: 0-10, missed 4M playoffs

East River Falcons

Coach: Adam Chappell (1st year)

2023: 2-8, missed 3M playoffs

Innovation Bulls

Coach: Leroy Kinard (1st year; career 115-46)

2023: this is first year for Bulls

Lake Buena Vista Vipers

Coach: Brant Peddy (1st year)

2023: 5-4, missed 2M playoffs

Oak Ridge Pioneers

Coach: Antony Smith (1st year; career 5-27)

2023: 4-5, missed 4M playoffs

University Cougars

Coach: Jeremy Palmer (1st year; career 2-18)

2023: 2-8, missed 4M playoffs

Windermere Wolverines

Coach: Riki Smith (3rd year, 5-12)

2022: 3-7, missed 4M playoffs