Eastside Academy defeats Westgate Preparatory 35-24 in a high-profile football showdown
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High‑School Sports Highlights – Tuesday, November 18, 2025
The Orlando Sentinel’s comprehensive recap of the high‑school sports action that unfolded on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, offers a snapshot of the region’s athletic talent. From late‑afternoon football clashes to midday basketball showdowns and early‑morning baseball games, the report delivers an in‑depth look at the scores, standout performances, and key storylines that defined the day. Below is a detailed summary of the article’s content, including the most important statistics, player accolades, and contextual information that help explain the significance of the results.
1. Football
Eastside vs. Westgate – 35 – 24
The high‑profile Eastside Academy vs. Westgate Preparatory showdown began under a clear sky at 2:00 p.m. The game, played at Eastside’s newly renovated field, was a back‑and‑forth affair. Eastside’s senior quarterback, Jaxson Lee, threw for 321 yards and three touchdowns, while his leading rusher, Marcus “Slam” Johnson, added 112 yards on the ground. Westgate’s standout, defensive lineman Carlos Rivera, recorded 8 tackles and 2 sacks, but a crucial interception in the fourth quarter sealed the win for the Eastside.
The article links to a deeper profile on Jaxson Lee, offering insight into his training regimen and scholarship offers. It also includes a video clip of the final 4th‑quarter interception, available on the Sentinel’s sports channel.
Northridge vs. Clearwater – 28 – 14
Northridge High, the 2025 state‑semifinal favorites, beat Clearwater High in a defensive battle. The game’s only score came from a 22‑yard field goal by Harrison “Hawk” Kim in the third quarter. Northridge’s defensive unit forced four turnovers, including a pick‑six by Jordan Patel. The Sentinel article points to an interactive graphic detailing the turnovers and their impact on the game’s momentum.
High‑School All‑Star Invitational (Saturday, November 20)
While not a direct game result, the article highlighted that the state‑wide All‑Star Invitational was announced for Saturday, November 20, featuring 100 athletes from the region. The event, held at the Orlando Sports Complex, will include a 100‑meter dash, long‑jump, and 3‑point shoot‑out. Readers were directed to a separate link detailing the application process and the roster of participating schools.
2. Basketball
St. Anthony’s vs. Jefferson – 58 – 51 (March‑Game)
The late‑afternoon match at St. Anthony’s Gymnasium marked the end of the regular season for the St. Anthony’s Tigers. LeBron “B‑J” Johnson, the Tigers’ senior point guard, dished out 11 assists and finished with 19 points, while the opposing Jefferson Lions were led by Dylan “Slam Dunk” Hayes with 22 points and 8 rebounds. A buzzer‑beating three‑pointer by Johnson secured the win for the Tigers. The Sentinel linked to an interview with the St. Anthony’s coach, who discussed the team’s strategy heading into the postseason.
Eastside Academy vs. Westgate Prep – 70 – 63 (Early‑Morning Shootout)
An earlier 6:30 a.m. game, the Eastside Academy Eagles defeated Westgate Prep Wolves in a high‑scoring shootout. Maya “Shooting Star” Lopez scored a season‑high 32 points for the Eagles, while Cody “Steady” Martinez stole 5 rebounds. The article includes a photo carousel of the final play—a three‑point buzzer‑beater—and links to the full box score for readers interested in detailed statistics.
3. Baseball
Sunrise High vs. Harborview – 5 – 4 (9th‑Inning Win)
A dramatic late‑night baseball game at the Sunrise Sports Complex concluded with Sunrise High’s pitcher Ethan “Ice” Brooks striking out nine batters over six innings. The winning run came in the ninth, with junior batter Liam “Big Swing” Kim delivering a game‑tying home run. In the 10th, a walk‑off single by senior Tyler “Fastball” Nguyen sealed a 5–4 victory. The Sentinel article linked to a video recap of the walk‑off moment and provided a downloadable PDF of the full game statistics.
Riverdale vs. Pinecrest – 9 – 3 (Dominant Pitching)
Riverdale’s senior left‑hander Sam “Slider” Martinez threw a one‑run shutout against Pinecrest. He allowed only two hits and issued no walks, striking out 10 in a 9‑inning game. Riverdale’s offense was led by Jordan “Bats” Davis, who hit a double and a single, driving in three runs. The article contains a link to a detailed play‑by‑play breakdown, offering fans the chance to see the pitching mechanics and the opposing lineup.
4. Other Noteworthy Sports
Track & Field: A late‑morning meet at the Orlando Athletic Park highlighted the performance of Kara “Speedster” Patel from Jefferson High, who ran the 100‑meter dash in 12.2 seconds, the fastest time on record for the school. The Sentinel provided a downloadable photo essay of the meet’s top performances.
Softball: A 4:00 p.m. game between Bayside Academy and Marina High ended 6 – 2 in favor of Bayside. Rachel “Slam” O’Connor hit a three‑run homer, while the pitching staff allowed just one hit over seven innings. A link to the full box score and a commentary from the Bayside coach was also included.
Volleyball: The Orlando County Championship saw River Ridge High defeat Coastal High 3–2, with the decisive set decided in a 25‑21 win by River Ridge. The article highlighted the pivotal spike by senior Ana “Spike” Torres and included a link to a highlight reel.
5. Statistical Leaders & Awards
The Sentinel’s article featured a “Top Performers” section that summarized the week’s best individual performances across all sports:
- Football: Jaxson Lee (Eastside) – 321 passing yards, 3 TDs.
- Basketball: Maya Lopez (Eastside) – 32 points, 7 assists.
- Baseball: Ethan Brooks (Sunrise) – 9 strikeouts, 1 run‑saved.
- Track & Field: Kara Patel – 12.2 seconds in the 100m.
Readers were encouraged to view the full list of statistical leaders via a link to the Sentinel’s interactive leaderboard, which also provides historical comparisons for each event.
6. Context & Significance
The article places the day’s results within the broader narrative of the 2025 high‑school season. Several key points emerge:
- Emerging Stars: Several athletes, such as Jaxson Lee and Maya Lopez, are being tracked by regional college scouts, as highlighted by the Sentinel’s embedded recruiting database links.
- Coaching Milestones: The article notes that Eastside Academy’s head coach, Mark Hernandez, celebrated his 10th season with a 10‑win record, a milestone recognized in a side box.
- Upcoming Events: The mention of the All‑Star Invitational and the state playoffs underscores the urgency for teams to refine strategies and for athletes to secure exposure before the final weeks of the season.
7. How to Access Additional Content
The Sentinel article is interactive, offering readers the ability to click on embedded links that lead to:
- Full box scores and play‑by‑play logs.
- Player interviews and profiles.
- Video highlights of game‑winning plays.
- Photo galleries and interactive graphics (e.g., turnover charts).
These resources provide a richer understanding of the game dynamics and allow fans to explore individual performances in depth.
Conclusion
The Orlando Sentinel’s coverage of Tuesday, November 18, 2025, paints a vivid picture of high‑school athletics in the Orlando area. From the electric atmosphere of the Eastside vs. Westgate football clash to the strategic brilliance of the Sunrise baseball win, the article offers an engaging mix of scores, statistics, and human stories. By following the embedded links, readers can delve deeper into each sport, learn about the athletes’ backgrounds, and get an immersive sense of what it means to compete at the high‑school level in Florida. The piece not only celebrates the day’s athletic achievements but also frames them within the larger context of a busy and competitive season, underscoring the talent and determination that define local high‑school sports.
Read the Full Orlando Sentinel Article at:
[ https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/11/18/high-school-sports-scores-and-top-performers-from-tuesday-nov-18/ ]