Dr. Phillips players are tired of hearing about how the Panthers are no longer among the upper echelon of the Central Florida football hierarchy.

They tried to put it to rest last year, with a 7-5 season that ended with an overtime defeat in the state playoffs at Tampa Plant.

In 2024, the Panthers, in their eyes, are better than before. DP used to be one of the mainstays among football powers, reaching the playoffs 15 years in a row (2006-20). The Panthers were in the state title game in ’10 and won a state championship in ’17.

Rodney Wells is head coach for his alma mater for the 14th season and his players are excited.

In fact, senior receiver Mykel Calixte, a Central Michigan commit, went so far as to say this last month: “We’re going to win the states, mark my word … undefeated.”

Well perhaps that’s wishful thinking, but the Panthers do have talent and Calixte is part of the arsenal. He teamed up with senior quarterback Stanley Anderson-Lofton last year to catch 25 passes for 529 yards and 4 touchdowns. That’s 21 yards per catch.

Anderson-Lofton broke onto the scene as a junior. The Middle Tennessee State commit threw for 1,291 yards and 10 touchdowns on 76 of 148 passing. He keeps defenses honest with his ability to run too. The big-bodied QB at 6-foot-3, 207 pounds, rushed 46 times for 231 yards and 7 touchdowns, averaging 5 yards a carry.

With the loss of running back Amari Major, who transferred to Sanford Seminole, DP will look to seniors Kenorris White and Cameran Dixon to carry the load. Joining Calixte on the outside will be Dixon, senior Brandon Johnson and junior Donny Daniels.

Defensively for DP, Duke commit safety Maliki Wright leads the way, but that group will be young. Wright, who had 2 interceptions last year, is the top returning tackler. He is joined by senior linebacker Kramar Brown Jr., junior linebacker/defensive end Jayden Buckhanon and junior cornerback Mchenry Fortilien.

The DP schedule features games against Apopka, Edgewater and Lake Mary but is manageable the rest of the way.

Olympia split its season series with rival Dr. Phillips, with the Panthers winning the playoff rematch. Titans coach Travis Gabriel said this is a rebuilding year with a very young team led by multi-talented junior Eric Weems Jr.

Clermont East Ridge, under second-year coach Donnie Burchfield, boasts one of the most talented running backs in Central Florida in senior Uriah Maynard.

Celebration Storm

Coach: Jed Ebersole (1st year)

2023: 1-9, missed 4S playoffs

East Ridge Knights

Coach: Donnie Burchfield (2nd year, 8-12; career 12-17)

2023: 5-5, missed 4S playoffs

Dr. Phillips Panthers

Coach: Rodney Wells (14th year, 116-42)

2023: 7-5, 4M region semifinal

Olympia Titans

Coach: Travis Gabriel (7th year, 31-30)

2023: 8-3, 4M district champ