"Talkin’ Old School” With Roger Franklin Williams

Talking Old School: Coach Rick Darlington.

Tuesday, February 24, 2026

About Coach DarlingtonHead Football Coach
Deland High School

Career Record: 251-95 (28 seasons)
Reached Playoffs in 26 of 28 years as a head coach
All-time central Florida leader in playoff victories (43)

STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS: Apopka ’01, ’12, & ‘14
STATE RUNNER-UP: Apopka ‘13 & Valdosta ‘03
STATE FINAL 4 (semifinals): Deland ‘23, Apopka ’07 & ‘09
STATE ELITE 8 (quarterfinals): Enterprise ‘21, Apopka ‘08, Valdosta ‘04

DELAND, FL: ’22 to present
In 2 years, the Bulldogs have won Back-to-Back District titles (last title was 11 years ago). The ’22 team broke the school single season scoring record (33 ppg), and the ’23 team shattered that record at 40 ppg. 2023 Region Champions (1st time since 2009) and state Semi-Finalist in largest classification. Quarterback has had back to back season of more than 1,200 yards rushing AND passing, and this fall threw 21 TD passes with ZERO interceptions. Wingback also rushed for 1,000 yards and had 900 yards receiving.

ENTERPRISE, AL: ’19-‘21
Took over a program coming off back to back 2-8 seasons. Year 1 started 2-5, but turned it around and made the 7A playoffs in Maxpreps 3rd toughest playoff bracket in the country. Year 2 averaged 36 ppg and again made the playoffs. Year 3, scored 41 ppg (3rd in 7A behind the teams playing for state), led the entire state of Alabama in rushing, and had 2 1,000 yard rushers. Finished in the Elite 8 (quarterfinals) in 7A.

APOPKA, FL: ’99-’02 & ’06-‘18
2013 team set a state record with 752 points, averaging 50.1 ppg over 15 games, and rushed for 6,000 yards. The ’13, ’14, & ’15 teams each had THREE 1,000 yard rushers each season.
OBJECTIVE AS A HEAD COACH
To build a championship football program with young men of character and humility
that the community, school, and parents can be proud of both on and off the field. Our
mission is to build men who are not only successful, but are significant in the lives of others.

He and his wife, Shelly, have been married 33 years and have 4 sons, 3 daughters, 3 grandchildren (and counting…)

Talking Old School: Apopka High School boys Basketball and boys Volleyball.

Thursday, February 19, 2026

Vision: Every student graduates prepared and inspired for a thriving future.

Mission: Together with our families and the community, we empower students with a superior academic experience, essential life skills, and boundless opportunities.

Address: 555 W. Martin St., Apopka, Florida 32712-3544

Phone: 407-905-5500

Principal: Lyle Heinz

Mascot: Blue Darter

Colors: Blue, White

School Hours: 7:20 a.m. – 2:20 p.m. (M, T, H, F) 1:10 (W)

Grades: 9 – 12

Talkin Old School: Guest, Scott Harrell.

Tuesday, February 17, 2026

Scott Harrell, Executive Director of Fresh Start Ministries:

407-293-3822

[email protected]

4436 Edgewater Drive, Orlando, FL. 32804

www.freshstartministries.com

Our Beliefs:

We believe in one eternal God, creator of all things, infinitely perfect, existing in three persons; the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

We believe in the Holy Scriptures, the Old and New Testaments, which are inspired by God and written by men, and are the basis for which we live.

We believe that Jesus Christ is the only begotten son of God, born of the Virgin Mary, who was crucified, dead and buried, and rose again on the third day and sits at the right hand of God, the Father, in heaven. Jesus Christ was the final sacrifice and redeemed us from all of our sins and gave all who believe the same power, faith and authority through His name to overcome and to give service to His commission to us (Mark 16:15-20).

We believe that the Holy Spirit, is the Spirit and Power of Christ, and our comforter, teacher, healer, deliverer, guide, equipper, convictor and gift-giver, and empowers us to live holy lives in service to God. We believe that the Holy Spirit is a whole Person and dwells in every believer and all of His Spiritual giftings are available for use upon His will, as the believer yields to Him.

We believe that no man can come to the Father but through faith and belief in the Lord Jesus Christ; that only through Jesus Christ can one be saved, healed and delivered. We further believe that we are being perfected and prepared for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ, to gather His believers, to live and reign with Him in the Kingdom of God and live eternally with God.

Talking Old School: Guest, Coach Rick Darlington.

Thursday, February 12, 2026

About Coach Darlington Head Football Coach
Deland High School

Career Record: 251-95 (28 seasons)
Reached Playoffs in 26 of 28 years as a head coach
All-time central Florida leader in playoff victories (43)

STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS: Apopka ’01, ’12, & ‘14
STATE RUNNER-UP: Apopka ‘13 & Valdosta ‘03
STATE FINAL 4 (semifinals): Deland ‘23, Apopka ’07 & ‘09
STATE ELITE 8 (quarterfinals): Enterprise ‘21, Apopka ‘08, Valdosta ‘04

DELAND, FL: ’22 to present
In 2 years, the Bulldogs have won Back-to-Back District titles (last title was 11 years ago). The ’22 team broke the school single season scoring record (33 ppg), and the ’23 team shattered that record at 40 ppg. 2023 Region Champions (1st time since 2009) and state Semi-Finalist in largest classification. Quarterback has had back to back season of more than 1,200 yards rushing AND passing, and this fall threw 21 TD passes with ZERO interceptions. Wingback also rushed for 1,000 yards and had 900 yards receiving.

ENTERPRISE, AL: ’19-‘21
Took over a program coming off back to back 2-8 seasons. Year 1 started 2-5, but turned it around and made the 7A playoffs in Maxpreps 3rd toughest playoff bracket in the country. Year 2 averaged 36 ppg and again made the playoffs. Year 3, scored 41 ppg (3rd in 7A behind the teams playing for state), led the entire state of Alabama in rushing, and had 2 1,000 yard rushers. Finished in the Elite 8 (quarterfinals) in 7A.

APOPKA, FL: ’99-’02 & ’06-‘18
2013 team set a state record with 752 points, averaging 50.1 ppg over 15 games, and rushed for 6,000 yards. The ’13, ’14, & ’15 teams each had THREE 1,000 yard rushers each season.

Talking Old School: Guests, Bill Curry, Mike Ditka, Jack Youngblood.

Tuesday, February 10, 2026

Jack Youngblood, a 6-4, 247-pound All-American from the University of Florida, excelled for 14 seasons with the Los Angeles Rams from 1971 to 1984. As the 20th player selected in the first round of the 1971 draft, Youngblood made his presence felt almost immediately.

He did so well as a backup to superstar "Deacon" Jones at left defensive end as a rookie that the Rams traded Jones before the 1972 season. Youngblood divided his playing time with Fred Dryer that year, then took over as the starting left defensive end in his third campaign in 1973. He played with distinction at that position the rest of his 202-game career.

Youngblood, who was born January 26, 1950, in Jacksonville, Florida, was rugged, determined, a dominant defender and the Rams’ perennial quarterback sack leader. He played in a Rams-record 201 consecutive games and only missed one game in 14 seasons, that one miss coming in his final year in 1984.

The Rams’ defensive captain, he was a three-time winner of the Dan Reeves Award, given to that team’s most valuable player each season. Youngblood was All-Pro in 1974, 1975, 1976, 1978 and 1979 and All-NFC seven times. He played in seven consecutive Pro Bowls following each season from 1973 to 1979.

During his tenure, the Rams played in five NFC championship games and advanced to Super Bowl XIV following the 1979 season. In a first-round playoff game that year, Youngblood suffered a fractured left fibula. However, he was fitted with a plastic brace and he played every defensive down in both the NFC title game and Super Bowl XIV against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

One of Youngblood's most outstanding single-game performances came against the St. Louis Cardinals in a 1975 playoff game. He recorded one sack, forced a fumble, blocked an extra-point attempt and returned an interception 47 yards for a touchdown.

Bill Curry:

The Player

As a player, Bill learned the game from such legendary masters as Bobby Dodd, Vince Lombardi, and Don Shula. He snapped the ball to a who's who list of quarterbacks, including Bart Starr, Johnny Unitas, and Billy Lothridge. He was a two-time Pro Bowl center and a three-time NFL Champion, including victories in Super Bowls I and V.

The Coach

As a coach, Bill restored the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets to national prominence. At the University of Alabama, where he was named Bobby Dodd National Coach of the Year, Bill led the Tide to an SEC Championship and to berths in the Hall of Fame Bowl, the Sun Bowl, and the Sugar Bowl. At Kentucky, Bill led his Wildcats to their first bowl game in nearly a decade. In 2008, Bill became the first head coach at Georgia State, who played its inaugural season in 2010. Bill's honors and awards include the 2007 Amos Alonzo Stagg Award, given for his lifetime work advancing the best interests of football; the 2008 Gerald R. Ford Legends Center Award, given for his lifetime of outstanding contributions, both within and outside the game of football; and the 2012 Intellectual Property Legends Award, presented for significant contribution in the field of Intellectual Property and significant impact upon one's peers and community.

Mike Ditka, the No. 1 draft pick of the Chicago Bears in 1961, introduced a new dimension to the tight end position that once was viewed primarily as an assignment for a tough, talented blocker. Ditka proved to be a superior blocker, but he also became one of the first tight ends to catch a large number of passes.

He startled opponent defenses with 56 catches for 1,076 yards and 12 touchdowns in his Rookie of the Year campaign in 1961. Three years later, he had 75 receptions, a season record for tight ends that lasted until 1980 and the era of the 16-game season. The 6-3, 225-pound native of Carnegie, Pennsylvania, was a consensus All- American in 1960 while playing for the University of Pittsburgh.

He moved into the Bears' starting lineup at the beginning of his rookie season and didn't miss a start in 84 games with the Bears. He earned All-NFL honors four straight seasons from 1961 through 1964 and was a Pro Bowl choice after each of his first five seasons. He wound up his 12-year career with 427 receptions for 5,812 yards and 43 touchdowns.

At the time of his retirement after the 1972 season, he ranked second among all tight ends in receptions. In 1967, Ditka was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles. An injury in the second game that year aborted his consecutive-game streak at 86. He missed eight games in two years with the Eagles before moving on to the Dallas Cowboys in 1969. The fiercely determined and competitive Ditka regained much of his old form in four years in Dallas. His best campaign there was in 1971 when the Cowboys won their first Super Bowl championship. Ditka had 30 receptions that year and he scored the final touchdown in Dallas' 24-3 win over the Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl VI.

Talking Old School: Guests, Mike Mcbath and Christopher Hart.

Thursday, February 5, 2026

Tonight's guests were former player for the Buffalo Bills and Florida Blazers, Mike McBath and Show Host of the www.americanadversaries.com radio show, Christopher Hart as Football was discussed with the upcoming SuperGame this weekend!

Talking Old School, Live: Guests Jeremy Langford and Scott Garland.

Thursday, January 29, 2026

Jeremy Langford is with Apopka High School's Band program and Coach Scott Garland is with Apopka High School's Baseball program. Apopka High School is in Apopka in northwest Orange County, Florida, United States.