As football players at Orlando’s The First Academy await news of whether they will be reinstated for the upcoming FHSAA football playoffs, the Royals will be taking on their toughest in-state task of the season Friday night at highly-regarded Lakeland.

TFA parents have retained legal representation to get a two-year playoff ban lifted by the Florida High School Athletic Association, a decision the association will have to deal with quickly with playoff brackets scheduled to be announced Thursday, Nov. 4, at noon.

Friday’s game should give a good indication of how TFA, ranked No. 6 in the Sentinel’s Super 16 Coaches Poll , might stack up against the rest of the Class 1A field should the Royals gain playoff clearance. Lakeland (8-1) is a formidable foe, No. 4 in the state and No. 1 in 5A

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