TFA vs. Edgewater football: The scouting report on power programs

When high school football schedules came out in the spring, there was one game that the Central Florida region circled on its calendar. It’s finally here.

Edgewater (0-0), ranked No. 2 in the Sentinel’s Super 16 Coaches Poll , plays host to upstart The First Academy (1-0), which is ranked No. 7, on Friday night.

TFA started bolstering its football program during the offseason with more than 30 transfers from area high schools. This maneuver irked opposing coaches.

Class 2A, District 6: TFA transfers throw wrench into playoff chase with OCP

Class 5A juggernaut Edgewater may never have as many of those opposing coaches rooting for it in its first football game against Class 1A TFA, the sudden nemesis for all of Central Florida.

Week 2 kicks off with hope that the weather will cooperate, after rains and lightning wiped out nearly every Orange County game last week.

TFA has a goal of building its own powerhouse program under second-year coach Jeff Conaway. With the added talent, the Royals also bumped up the difficulty of their schedule, which also includes a game against 7A powerhouse Seminole on Oct. 18.

Edgewater, under the guidance of coach Cameron Duke, has played in two state championship games in the past five seasons. The Eagles are motivated to stop TFA’s surge into the big leagues. For the Royals, a victory would endorse the movement that is happening within the program.

5A District 5 football: Edgewater should rule vs. Lyman, Winter Springs

There will be talent all over the field. Edgewater boasts eight players in the Sentinel’s 2025 Central Florida Super60 for seniors and TFA has four. In the 2026 Super60 for juniors, TFA has 11 to Edgewater’s eight.

On paper it looks like a very competitive collision, but let’s take a closer look at each position:

Quarterback

Carter Emmanuel came to Edgewater from Lake Nona and has been impressive. In the Eagles exhibition game against NFL Academy in England, Emmanuel (6-foot-2, 200 pounds) threw 2 touchdown passes and ran for another. He showed poise in the pocket and delivered accurate throws all over the field, and his ability to scramble is a key ingredient.

TFA’s Salomon Georges Jr. is smaller at 5-11, 190, but he was impressive all summer in 7-on-7 camps and threw for 3 touchdowns in a rout of Leto in a Kickoff Classic game. Against Lipscomb Academy in Tennessee last week, he did not have a TD pass but showed his ability to run with 84 yards and 2 touchdowns on 12 carries. EDGE: Edgewater

Running backs

Edgewater has talented transfers in Josh Perry, who ran for more than 1,000 yards for Lake Nona a year ago, and Lyman transfer Julian Prime. The Eagles pounded out 300 yards rushing vs. NFL Academy. TFA will counter with Lake Minneola transfer Dane Thompkins and baseball star Ryon Smith, who each scored a touchdown last week. EDGE: Edgewater

Receivers

Tyson Carter is back from a 2023 knee injury and he looks better than ever for Edgewater. He had 2 TDS against NFL Academy, and he is joined by Boston College commit Semaj Fleming and Luke Anderton. Brandon Paul and Saphir Miller also are capable targets. TFA’s top pass-catchers are gifted Furman commit Evan James and Demetrice McCray, transfers from Leesburg, and Jones transfer Omyry Hickson. EDGE: Edgewater

Offensive line

This game is likely going to be won by the team that controls the line of scrimmage and the offensive line for both teams are excellent. Edgewater features 6-7, 330-pound Miami commit Jaden Wilkerson, another Lake Nona transfer, and Ben Bankowitz (6-3, 290), along with Austin Taylor (6-2, 250), Ja’chory Harris (5-8, 265) and Judah Miller. TFA has four Lake Minneola transfers in Chancellor Barclay (6-4, 290), Sean Kentish (6-4, 275), Noah Devine (6-2, 290) and Jarvis Williams (6-4, 275), along with Boone transfer Reid Ramsier (6-4, 290). EDGE: Even

Defensive line

Aiden Anderson leads the Edgewater pass rush, along with Will Marzolf and Soul Williams. TFA is anchored on the ends with Timber Creek transfer Alex Willis and Osceola transfer Blake Jones, with Cashman McCoy from Lake Minneola and DJ Whiley from Leesburg in the middle. EDGE: TFA

Linebackers

TFA is led by Texas-San Antonio commit Aiden Hall, a Leesburg transfer who had 22 tackles against Lipscomb, and Boone transfer Noah Maddox, along with Jason Seppala. Edgewater has a tough yet untested trio in Damien Moore, who had a great game in England, as well as Justin Edwards and Zay Edwards. EDGE: TFA

Defensive backs

TFA is led by junior UF commit Devin Jackson, a West Orange transfer, at safety, and cornerback Danny Odem, who is from Pennsylvania, as well as cornerback Bam Whitfield from Leesburg and safety JJ Woodard. Edgewater has Appalachian State commit Ja’torian “Duke” Mack and Nick Collins Jr. at safety along with AJ Hughley, KJ Williams and Jaden Brown in the nickel scheme. EDGE: TFA

Bottom line

These teams match up evenly, which is why this a pick ’em game.

Chris Hays can be contacted by email at chays@orlandosentinel.com.