Apopka, the No. 1 ranked team in the Sentinel Super 16 preseason rankings, survived an upset bid by Ocoee in its football season opener on Thursday.
The Blue Darters found themselves down by two touchdowns but shut the Knights out in the second half en route to a 15-13 victory. The game was played before a small crowd that was limited due to COVID-19 precautions.
Apopka (1-0) scored its touchdowns on its final possession of the first half and the first possession of the second half. A bad snap on an Ocoee (0-1) punt attempt from deep in its own end zone in the middle of the third quarter gave Apopka the margin it needed with a 15-13 lead.