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Former president of Apopka Pop Warner, Tony Shuler (c), encourages his players during a shuttle drill.
How Apopka Pop Warner’s 2024 national success sets stage for 2025Marshall Tempest
June 18, 2025
The Apopka Pop Warner organization is coming off a monumental 2024 year in which the football and cheer teams went to the national stage. The organization has grown tremendously since last year, and the Blue Darters hope to build the program to new heights in 2025.   Last year, Apopka Pop Warner's 12U football team made…
FHSAA expands football postseason with 36-team invitational tournamentMarshall Tempest
June 16, 2025
The Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) voted to expand football playoffs and also make major postseason changes in baseball and basketball last week during its final meeting of the 2024-25 school year.     Football     The board unanimously decided (12-0) to expand the Florida Invitational Tournament (FIT) in football by adding two additional divisions, with 12…
A member of Apopka Little League’s Majors All-Star team puts everything he has into a throw to first base.
Apopka Little League All-Stars begin district tournament in 2025Marshall Tempest
June 12, 2025
Apopka Little League prepared this week for the start of what could be a long journey to the World Series as the All-Stars postseason began.    Apopka Little League's president, Gary Odom, said that last Sunday, the All-Stars tournament began with the Apopka Little League softball team and the 10U baseball team. Unfortunately, the softball team…
Coach Chip Gierke watches a play finish while players of his celebrate.
‘What Is Going On?’: Apopka faces critical point in football program’s future Marshall Tempest
June 12, 2025
By Roger Williams    Last week's Apopka Chief sports page was truly sobering for all Apopka citizens, especially legions of Apopka High School alums. Never in the 100-plus year history of the Apopka community has our hometown newspaper featured dual front-sports page headlines proclaiming the resignation of the Blue Darter head football coach and the Blue…
Student athletes who attend Trinity Christian School, located at 1022 S Orange Blossom Trail in Apopka, can now elect to play sports at public schools in their zone.
Florida athletes gain more opportunities but concerns rise over eligibility and fairnessMarshall Tempest
June 12, 2025
Two major bills that expand access to athletic opportunities for non-traditional Florida students will take effect on July 1.     Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed House Bill 443 (HB 443) and Senate Bill 248 (SB 248) in May. Together, the bills are poised to change the landscape of interscholastic athletics by expanding access to public school…
During a game, former head coach of the Apopka baseball team, Bobby Brewer talks with a batter about what to look for at the plate
Apopka head baseball coach leaves for Ocoee job Marshall Tempest
June 5, 2025
Ocoee High School announced Thursday the hiring of former Apopka head baseball head coach Bobby Brewer, who stepped down last week after six seasons on the job.   The news came just days after Jeff Rolson's sudden resignation as head football coach, leaving Apopka without leaders for two major sports programs.  "I'm going to miss wearing…
How 13-year-old Keira Druck stunned older swimmers at Doc Lucky’s Golden MileMarshall Tempest
June 5, 2025
Keira Druck, a 13-year-old Apopka native, finished fifth overall in an open-water mile swim at Doc Lucky's Golden Mile in Orlando last week.   Druck collected prize money, a medal and more while continuing to improve as the long course season, her bread and butter, approached.    Druck had a fantastic outing at The Golden Mile, finishing…
After 14-10 season, Bobby Brewer cites loss of joy for stepping down as Apopka coachMarshall Tempest
June 3, 2025
Bobby Brewer has told The Apopka Chief he’s stepping down as Apopka’s head baseball coach after six years. The news comes days after Jeff Rolson's sudden resignation as head football coach, leaving Apopka without leaders for two major sports programs. "I'm going to miss wearing that Blue Darter jersey," Brewer said. "I'll miss the boys…
Former Apopka coach cites 20-player exodus for resignation in 2025Marshall Tempest
June 3, 2025
Former Apopka head football coach Jeff Rolson says he resigned on May 30 because the transfer portal has made it impossible to maintain the high standards that propelled Apopka’s program into a perennial powerhouse. Rolson pointed to the departure of 20 players after the spring game as the breaking point that sparked his surprise announcement…
The Apopka Fire and Police Departments stand together after the third Dreams of Joy charity basketball game on Friday, May 30. Apopka's Fire Department took home the win 84-43.
Apopka Fire Department smokes police in charity basketball game Marshall Tempest
June 3, 2025
By Marshall Tempest   Reporter    The Apopka Fire Department (AFD) emphatically broke a series tie with the Apopka Police Department (APD) on Saturday, scoring a huge 84-43 win in the in the departments’ third annual charity basketball game.    Mindy Bess, founder and general manager of the Dreams of Joy Foundation, which sponsored the game, said this…