The Blue Darters welcome several new players into the program this season, including a pair of seniors who have already experienced Apopka football before transferring away. 

Senior cornerback Kamron Medina and senior defensive back Elysian Williams both spent two seasons at Apopka before leaving for other programs. Now, both are back in the blue and white with hopes of helping the Darters make a postseason run. 

Medina, a member of the Class of 2027, transferred to Lake Brantley before returning to Apopka. He said the opportunity to play for coach Marcus Neeson again played a major role in his decision. 

“I’m just looking to prove that I can play at a high level,” Medina said. 

The senior cornerback has his sights set on playing at the FBS level and ultimately earning a Division I opportunity. He enters the season with individual goals of recording at least three interceptions, more than 10 pass breakups and 20 or more tackles. 

Medina also wants the team to make the playoffs and win its district. 

His game is influenced by some of the best cornerbacks in football, including Jalen Ramsey and Patrick Surtain II, but his immediate focus is earning the opportunity to show what he can do. 

Williams has a deep connection to the program. 

After spending two years at Apopka, Williams transferred to Ocoee. The Class of 2027 defensive back said leaving Apopka never felt completely right. 

“When I left it was like something was missing and left behind,” Williams said. “I grew up with these guys and won a National Championship with them in Pop Warner. I wanted to come back to help.” 

Williams hopes to help restore the standard he remembers from his first stint with the Blue Darters. 

“I left off as a playoff team for the past 25 years, and that’s just what we need, I want to bring it back,” Williams said. “I’m here to help and fill in where they need me.” 

Williams looks to former Apopka defensive backs Brandon Merriweather and KJ Dillon for inspiration, while also studying NFL stars Ramsey and Tyrann Mathieu. 

His ultimate goal is to go to college and build a career, with Florida State currently his dream destination. 

The Blue Darters also added junior running back Jalen Parmely, a member of the Class of 2028, who transferred from Evans High School. 

Then there is freshman quarterback Kai Goodling, who could quickly become one of the most intriguing new additions to the program. 

Goodling, a left-handed quarterback from Bridgewater Middle School in Winter Garden, enters Apopka as a member of the Class of 2030 and is already competing for varsity opportunities despite being a freshman. 

He embraces the pressure that comes with playing quarterback. He dreams of attending Penn State and loves the environment. 

“Being in that atmosphere, I love the pressure,” Goodling said. 

Goodling lists Baker Mayfield and Jaxson Dart among his favorite quarterbacks, admiring players who are willing to put everything into helping their teams win. 

That same mentality carries into his own goals for his first season. 

Goodling wants to improve his composure while adjusting to the demands of high school football and has set an ambitious goal of throwing for more than 2,000 yards. 

But the freshman understands that individual numbers will take a back seat to the team. 

“Whatever I need to do for my team to win, I’ll do it,” Goodling said. “I run the ball, pass the ball, I’ll do it all. I just want to win.” 

Goodling also has a unique way of preparing for game day. Rather than turning up the intensity with loud music before games, he prefers a calmer soundtrack, including Morgan Wallen and reggae-inspired music, to help settle his nerves and get into the right mindset. 

All four players enter the season looking for the same thing: an opportunity to make their mark in the blue and white.