Zack Darlington and Matt Milano rarely have spoken to each other, but they respect what the other can do on the football field.
They were not the only ones.
Darlington, Apopka's junior quarterback, is the All-Central Florida Offensive Player of the Year after emerging during the playoffs to lead the Blue Darters to the Class 8A state championship.
Milano, a senior safety for Dr. Phillips, is the area's Defensive Player of the Year. He led Central Florida's top-ranked defense and is committed to sign with Boston College.
"He plays with heart," Darlington said of Milano. "You can tell he gives everything on every play. I couldn't even give a handoff without him being in the backfield. He is the best player we played against."
Milano said of Darlington: "He is trying to win every play. That is what makes him a great player. He never gives up. You can say he has the will to be the best."
They faced each other twice this season, in a season opener and a state semifinal.
Darlington (6-1, 190), who injured his right wrist during a second-round playoff game against Timber Creek and missed four regular-season games with a sprained right ankle, threw for 1,725 yards and 19 touchdowns ? 11 of which came during the playoffs. He also rushed for 708 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Darlington did not miss any games because of the wrist injury.
Milano (6-0, 200) led a Dr Phillips team whose strength was its defense. He had 100 tackles, including 18 for loss, and three sacks.
"[Zack] did a great job of staying in the pocket," said Rick Darlington, Apopka's coach and Zack's father. "He looked very calm with people all around him. Add that to the fact he is a legitimate running threat.
"If he wasn't injured, he would have rushed for 1,000 yards and passed for 2,000 yards. We have never had that."
Some of Milano's best performances came during the playoffs. On the first defensive series of the first playoff game against Tampa Wharton, Milano stepped in front of a pass, intercepted it and returned it 23 yards.
On the next play, Eric Harrell scored on a 5-yard run.
Milano had two interceptions in that game, which DP won 28-15.
"That pick stands out in my mind," Milano said. "That set the tone for us for that game, and maybe for the playoffs.
"As with any team, it was our goal to make it to the state championship game. We came close. We made it to the state semifinal and lost to a really good team that won the state championship. I have no regrets."
Darlington's emergence as a state-champion quarterback didn't seem like it would happen when he was 10 years old and playing Pop Warner football. He was moved to wingback because he couldn't throw a football.
That changed by the time he reached eighth grade. After watching hours of videos, working with his father and growing 11 inches in three years, he moved to quarterback.
"God blessed me with a season I could not have dreamed about,'' Darlington said.
jrwilliams@tribune.com or 352-742-5921
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