By Kyle Coppola
Bishop Moore @ Mount Dora High Is Our Game Of The Week
In what could be a defining moment for the season, Mount Dora High School will take on perennial powerhouse Bishop Moore in the Style Magazine Game of the Week. This is one of the biggest games that Mount Dora High has played at home in at least a decade.
For Mount Dora coming in at 2-0 this season, this matchup is more than just a game—it’s a chance to establish themselves as a legitimate district contender. The Hurricanes, under the leadership of head coach Luke Hutchinson, have seen a remarkable turnaround in recent years, with Hutchinson building a strong program that has re-energized the team and community.
(Mount Dora running back Tymir Gaines has run for 458 yards and 6 touchdowns in 2024.)
“We know the type of program Bishop Moore has. They’ve been to the FHSAA playoffs year after year, and if we want to get where we need to be, we have to go through them.” says coach Hutchinson. While coach takes it one game at a time this is one game that the Hurricanes have had circled on their radar. I asked many members of the team what game they are most looking forward to. “Bishop Moore” is the one team that stuck out more than any other.
Bishop Moore is 2-0 this year. The Hornets are a staple in Florida high school football and they have had Lake County team’s numbers for years and years. They are known for their aggressive defense and balanced offensive attack, the Hornets have been a model of consistency, making the FHSAA playoffs nearly every year the past two decades. Led by head coach Matt Hedrick, they’ve dominated district play with their depth and physicality. They have sent countless players to NCAA Division 1 schools and have many playing in the NFL.
(Head coach of Mount Dora High Luke Hutchinson has built a strong program the past few years. The Hurricanes are now a force in Lake County.)
Mount Dora’s squad, however, is ready to meet the challenge. Behind standout performances from quarterback Jake Sepe and running back Tymir Gaines, the Hurricanes’ offense has been putting up impressive numbers. The team’s defense has come together nicely. Overall Mount Dora High should be able to compete. The offensive line will need to step up big in order to allow opportunities for Tymir Gaines and Jake Sepe to be able to work effectively.
(Yquavces Wilkins #4 left stands next to Blake Sepe #1 right.)
A win would give Mount Dora a key advantage in the district standings and they would control their own destiny. A win would also give them a good chance to make the FHSAA Playoffs for the first time in what feels like forever. Even a loss keeps them very much in the conversation for the FHSAA Playoffs if the Canes win the games they should this season. For Bishop Moore, a victory would maintain their stronghold on the district and continue their path to another deep postseason run.
Kickoff is set for Friday, September 13th at 7 p.m. at Mount Dora High School. This is sure to be a packed house expected to witness what should be one of the most significant games of the year.
Photo Credit – Joe Ott Photography “Fan Zone”
Kyle Coppola was born in Newton, Massachusetts and received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Communications from Curry College in 2016. After traveling to Florida on a family vacation, he decided he could not get enough of the warm weather and made the move from snowy Massachusetts to central Florida 8 years ago.
For the last decade Kyle has gained valuable experience in social media content creation, marketing and sales, writing, video production, sports announcing and even broadcasting for local radio stations, such as FM 102.9 in The Villages and FM 91.5 in Massachusetts. Every year he volunteers at The Villages Charter High School as a play-by-play sports announcer for the football games as well as a public address announcer for the basketball games, including the annual Battle at The Villages Tournament.
Outside the office Kyle is a husband and father to two beautiful girls along with their cat. In his spare time he likes to spend time with his family, travel, play golf and swim. He is also a huge sports junkie and even bigger motorsports fan and loves to attend racing events when he can.
