The Laker/Lutz News

Jordan Oladokun

Locals named to All-State football teams

By

Athletes within The Laker/Lutz News coverage area were well-represented on the FloridaHSFootball.com’s teams for the 2020 season.

In total, 23 players from 11 schools in Hillsborough and Pasco counties were named first-team, second-team, third-team or honorable mention in their respective classifications.

Wharton junior linebacker Henry Griffith (No. 40) earned a Class 8A All-State honorable mention, after posting a team-leading 82 tackles in nine games, plus three sacks and two forced fumbles. (Courtesy of Wharton High School)

The All-State teams were compiled by FloridaHSFootball.com, along with the considerations of information received from coaches, statistics on MaxPreps, and consultation of all-area/all-county teams as published by various media outlets from around the state. The schedule played by the school was taken into account, too.

Gaither High School (6A) garnered seven selections, the most among local schools.

That shouldn’t come as much surprise, given the Cowboys finished the 2020 campaign with an 11-1 mark and reached the regional finals before falling to Lake Minneola High School, 35-14.

Gaither’s picks were headlined with a first-team choice (junior defensive lineman Mario Eugenio), a second-team choice (senior linebacker Willie Jackson Jr.)  and five honorable mentions (senior quarterback Kiael Kelly, senior defensive lineman Asa Vanburen, junior defensive lineman Tawfiq Thomas, senior utility Jordan Oladokun, and Jackson Jr., again, as a punter).

Eugenio, a 6-foot-3, 240-pound weakside defensive end, ranked third in the state in sacks (17), combined with 42 total tackles, seven hurries, five passes defensed, three forced fumbles (one for touchdown) and two pick-six interceptions across 10 games.

A consensus four-star prospect, Eugenio already has more than 30 scholarship offers, including several power five conferences (ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, SEC, Pac-12) from the likes of Miami, Michigan, Mississippi State, Oregon, West Virginia and many others.

Gaither senior quarterback Kiael Kelly was named a Class 6A All-State honorable mention after leading his team to the regional finals and an 11-1 mark. Kelly has signed to play football at Ball State University, in Muncie, Indiana. (Courtesy of Gaither High School)

Jackson Jr., an Ave Maria University signee, also showed why he was deserving of dual All-State designations.

The 5-foot-11, 220-pound outside backer in 11 games tallied 67 tackles (including 16 for loss), eight sacks, four passes defensed, two forced fumble recoveries. Also, as the team’s punter, he averaged 39.9 yards per punt on 25 attempts, including a long of 55 yards and four pinned inside the opposing 20-yard line.

Gaither’s offense, meanwhile, was paced by Kelly, a Ball State University (Muncie, Indiana) signee.

The 6-foot-1, 195-pound dual-threat signal caller completed 63% of his throws for 1,594 yards, 16 touchdowns and four picks, plus 399 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns, across 10 games.

His father is Kenny Kelly, a former starting quarterback at the University of Miami, who also played Major League Baseball for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Cincinnati Reds and Washington Nationals in the early 2000s; the elder Kelly also was a four-sport letterman at Tampa Catholic High School in baseball, basketball, football and track.

Fellow Gaither standouts — Vanburen (nine sacks), Thomas (15 tackles for loss, three sacks), and Oladokun (1,157 all-purpose yards, nine touchdowns, four interceptions) also put up showy statistics.

Steinbrenner senior linebacker Austin Brannen earned a Class 8A All-State honorable mention after posting a team-leading 83 tackles in seven games. He’s headed to Campbell University, in Bules Creek, North Carolina. (Courtesy of Steinbrenner High School)

Other schools in The Laker/Lutz News coverage area celebrated multiple selections on the All-State list, too.

Steinbrenner High School (8A) had the next most among local schools with three All-State representatives — running back Deon Silas, senior linebacker Austin Brannen and sophomore kicker Collin Young each were named as an honorable mention.

Silas — an Iowa State signee — tallied 1,265 all-purpose yards (771 rushing yards, 357 receiving yards, 185 return) and 14 touchdowns in just five contests.

Brannen — a Campbell (Bules Creek, North Carolina) signee posted a team-leading 83 tackles (including four for loss) in seven games, plus 1.5 sacks and two fumble recoveries. (The 6-foot, 220-pound backer capped his Warriors varsity career with 366 tackles.)

Young was perfect on 28 extra points, and made five of six field goal attempts, including a long of 42 yards.

Meantime, five area programs claimed two All-State selections apiece — Carrollwood Day School (2A), Wharton High School (Class 8A), Wiregrass Ranch High School (7A), Zephyrhills High School (5A) and Zephyrhills Christian Academy (2A).

For Carrollwood Day, senior tight end Michael Trigg and senior defensive tackle Desmond Mamudi took first-team 2A All-State honors.

Carrollwood Day School tight end Michael Trigg collected a Class 2A All-State first-team recognition. The highly touted athlete is headed to the University of Southern California, in Los Angeles, where he’ll play football and basketball. (Courtesy of Carrollwood Day School)

Trigg led the Patriots with 30 receptions for 586 yards and five touchdowns in seven games, while Mamudi posted a team-leading 13 sacks in eight games, plus 39 tackles (16 for loss) and a forced fumble.

The pair of highly-touted prospects are poised to make an impact at iconic national brands in the Division I FBS ranks, coming from a small private school.

The 6-foot-3, 230-pound Trigg has signed to play football and basketball at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, while the 6-foot-3, 230-pound Mamudi is headed to Virginia Tech.

For Wharton, junior pass-rushing outside linebacker Daveon Crouch earned second-team 8A All-State, while teammate Henry Griffith, also a junior backer, took 8A All-State honorable mention.

Both spurred the Wildcats to a 7-2 mark — the program’s best since 2015 — and a stifling defense that surrendered just 10.1 points per game, on average.

The 6-foot-3 210-pound Crouch collected 12 sacks in nine contests, along with 62 tackles (eight for loss), six forced fumbles and two interceptions.

The 5-foot-10, 175-pound Griffith added a team-leading 82 tackles (nine for loss), three sacks and two forced fumbles in nine games.

At Wiregrass Ranch, senior tight end Grady Clower and sophomore athlete Bryson Rodgers collected 7A All-State honorable mentions.

The 6-foot-1, 210-pound Clower, who’ll join the University of Central Florida as a preferred walk-on, hauled in 10 passes for 159 yards and three touchdowns in eight games.

The 6-foot-2, 170-pound Rodgers led all Bulls receivers with 47 catches for 710 yards and 10 touchdowns, including a 70-yard long, across eight games.

Wiregrass Ranch sophomore wideout Bryson Rodgers received a Class 7A All-State honorable mention. He led all Bulls receivers with 47 catches for 710 yards and 10 touchdowns. (Courtesy of Wiregrass Ranch High School)

For Zephyrhills, junior linebacker Maguire Neal was named second-team 5A All-State, and senior tailback Zyre Roundtree picked up an honorable mention nod.

The 6-foot-1, 195-pound Neal registered a team-leading 13 sacks in 11 contests, plus 51 tackles (25.5 for loss) and four forced fumbles. He also is a track star, recently breaking long-held school records in the 110-meter and 300-meter hurdles.

The 5-foot-9, 180-pound Roundtree totaled 899 rushing yards on 122 carries (7.4 yards per carry) and 10 touchdowns in 10 games, including four 100-yard games.

At Zephyrhills Christian, freshman safety Fred Adams took second-team 2A All-State, while junior defensive back Quavious Cook earned an honorable mention.

The 5-foot-10, 175 pound Adams tied for ninth-most interceptions in the state with six in seven games, plus 12 passes defensed and 28 tackles.

Cook, a 5-foot-9, 140-pound cornerback, wasn’t too far behind, collecting four picks, five passes defensed and 34 tackles (including two for loss).

Elsewhere, Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School (Independent), Cypress Creek High School (4A), Land O’ Lakes High School (6A) and Pasco High School (6A) each had one representative on an All-State roster.

Bishop McLaughlin junior tailback Adrian Miller III was an Independent All-State honorable mention — racking up 1,000 rushing yards on 90 carries (11.1 yards per carry) for 10 touchdowns, including a long run of 79 yards and four 100-plus yard contests.

Cypress Creek junior quarterback Owen Walls was a 4A All-State honorable mention — completing 54.6% of his throws for 1,233 yards, 13 touchdowns and three interceptions, including a long pass of 89 yards.

Land O’ Lakes senior defensive end Zavian McKinon was a 6A All-State honorable mention —  tallying 12.5 sacks and 43 tackles (including 12 for loss).

Pasco senior linebacker Gabriel Barnes was a 6A All-State honorable mention — leading his team in tackles (99), tackles for loss (13.5), hurries (11), sacks (8.5) and forced fumbles (three).

There were no All-State representatives in The Laker/Lutz News coverage area from Classes 3A or 1A.

Last year, 18 players from four local schools earned various All-State honors.

Class 8A
Daveon Crouch, Wharton, junior, defensive line (second team defense)
Deon Silas, Steinbrenner, senior, running back (honorable mention)
Henry Griffith, Wharton, junior, linebacker (honorable mention)
Austin Brannen, Steinbrenner, senior, linebacker (honorable mention)
Collin Young, Steinbrenner, sophomore, kicker (honorable mention)

Class 7A
Grady Clower, Wiregrass Ranch, senior, tight end (honorable mention)
Bryson Rodgers, Wiregrass Ranch, sophomore, athlete (honorable mention)

Class 6A
Mario Eugenio, Gaither, junior, defensive line (first team defense)
Willie Jackson Jr., Gaither, senior, linebacker (second team defense)
Kiael Kelly, Gaither, senior, quarterback (honorable mention)
Asa Vanburen, Gaither, senior, defensive line (honorable mention)
Zavian McKinon, Land O’ Lakes, senior, defensive line (honorable mention)
Tawfiq Thomas, Gaither, junior, defensive line (honorable mention)
Gabriel Barnes, Pasco, senior, linebacker (honorable mention)
Jordan Oladokun, Gaither, senior, utility (honorable mention)
Jackson Jr., Gaither, senior, punter (honorable mention)

Class 5A
Maguire Neal, Zephyrhills, junior, linebacker (second team defense)
Zyre Roundtree, Zephyrhills, senior, running back (honorable mention)

Class 4A
Owen Walls, Cypress Creek, junior, quarterback (honorable mention)

Class 2A
Michael Trigg, Carrollwood Day, senior, tight end (first team offense)
Desmond Mamudi, Carrollwood Day, senior, defensive line (first team defense)
Fred Adams, Zephyrhills Christian, freshman, defensive back (second team defense)
Quavious Cook, Zephyrhills Christian, junior, defensive back (honorable mention)

Independent
Adrian Miller III, Bishop McLaughlin, junior, running back (honorable mention)

Published April 21, 2021

Academy at the Lakes football eyes state title run

By

Following last year’s historic eight-man state title run, questions swirled about how the Academy at the Lakes football program would respond in 2018 with the loss a number of impactful seniors, including do-it-all tailback/linebacker Daniel Gonzalez, the 2017 Florida Christian Association of Private and Parochial Schools (FCAPPS) Heisman Trophy winner.

Fair to say, they’ve handled the adjustment with aplomb.

Sophomore quarterback Jalen Brown seeks to lead the Wildcats to back-to-back eight-man state titles. (Courtesy of Rebecca Price)

The Wildcats wrapped up their first undefeated regular season (7-0) in program history and secured the No. 1 seed in the FCAPPS eight-man playoffs — also part of a 17-game winning streak that dates back to Sept. 22, 2017.

Their attention now turns to the team winning its second straight eight-man state championship.

Academy at the Lakes will host Jacksonville Harvest Community in the FCAPPS state quarterfinals on Nov. 16 at 7 p.m.

For Wildcats head coach Shawn Brown, the groundwork for another state championship traces back to implementing dutiful, high-effort practices all season long, no matter the level of competition each week.

It’s a challenge the team has embraced, Brown said.

“They’re able to come out here and get started without me saying, ‘Hey, let’s go,’ and stay focused on staying serious has made a difference at practice. Now, with kids you’re going to have days where they get a little loose, but for the most part they’ve kept it serious,” Brown said at a recent late-season practice.

It’s undoubtedly something the Wildcats must do, with less depth this year, and without the safety net of Gonzalez, who could singlehandedly take over a game on offense (1,125 rushing yards, 25 touchdowns) and defense (138 total tackles, 18 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, three fumble-return touchdowns).

“I think a lot of times last year (Gonzalez) made things happen by himself, where this year I think we have to play more as a team,” Brown said.

That’s particularly been the case on defense.

The Wildcats have surrendered fewer than nine points per game this season.

The Academy at the Lakes Wildcats varsity football team wrapped up its first undefeated season (7-0) in program history. A stingy defense allowing fewer than nine points per game is a big part of the team’s success.

They also haven’t allowed more than 13 points in any one game.

“It’s a different type of way that we’re beating people (this season). We’re not beating them explosively on the offensive side of the ball, but defensively we’ve kind of held things down,” explained Brown.

The coach credits the defense’s overall speed, also pointing out significant contributions from senior linebacker/end Dylan Price (56 tackles, 9.5 sacks) and the emergence of defensive backs Jullian Jennings (27 tackles, four interceptions) and Caleb Yann (20 tackles, three interceptions).

“We understand that we’ve got to make people work. I thought we’ve done a really good job with our run defense and our pass defense,” Brown said.

Overall teamwork has been at play this season, added Price, one of five team captains and the team’s starting tailback.

“Everybody’s doing their job,” Price said. “You don’t have people saying, ‘Oh, I’ve got to do this person’s job.’ We’re all sticking to our one job.”

He also noted the team this year was forced to “come together more” in lieu of Gonzalez and other impact players from 2017, such as leading receiver Isaiah Smith (864 scrimmage yards, 17 touchdowns) and star cornerback Jordan Oladokun (11 interceptions), who transferred to Gaither for his sophomore season.

Said Price: “We couldn’t just rely on someone like a Daniel (Gonzalez) or offense or a Jordan (Oladokun) on defense, so everyone’s had to do their part this year, so I mean we don’t have one person doing everything, everyone’s sharing the load.”

And, what the Wildcats may lack in dynamic playmakers, the team makes up for in knowledge of what it takes to win a state title, Price acknowledged.

“I think it helps,” Price said of the experience of last year’s state title run. “We’re not going to be completely clueless on, ‘Oh, what do we do here, what do we do there?’ We know what to expect. We know that people are going to come to play, and we’ve just got to play our best game.”

Meanwhile, the strides made at the quarterback position could also come in handy.

Sophomore Jalen Brown has completed nearly 60 percent of his passes for 823 yards and 21 total touchdowns (3 interceptions). He’s also added over 300 yards on the ground, as part of a balanced offensive attack.

His best performance came in a 46-13 win against Faith Christian on Oct. 19. With the Wildcats struggling to run the ball, Jalen Brown was tasked to get the job done through the air, throwing for 233 yards and four touchdowns on 12 of 17 passes.

“He’s proven to himself that he can take over a game,” said Wildcats quarterbacks coach/offensive assistance Jesus Soler. “That’s really the big leap from the beginning of the season until now, is we can just ask him to take over a game.”

Beyond the numbers, Soler noted the Wildcats three-year starter has shown marked improvements in everything from footwork and arm strength, to his decision-making.

“He understands the offense better than everybody. He is another coach on the field,” Soler said.

The assistant coach, too, believes Jalen Brown has legit college football potential, a relative rarity in the eight-man ranks.

“I think he could be a Division I quarterback. It’s just a matter of whether Division I teams will take a gamble on an eight-man quarterback,” Soler said. “He’s got the skillset already.”

For the time being, however, the young, but tested, quarterback is strictly focused on guiding the team to back-to-back state titles.

He feels it’s well within reach for the undefeated squad.

“I think we’ve got it skill-wise,” he said, “but, we’ve got to stay together as a group. No outside distractions.”

He added: “We’re not the team last year where we just came in and destroyed everybody. We actually have got to work for what we want. …We’ve just got to be together as a team and keep going hard for all four quarters.”

The signal-caller, too, is working to “be more of a leader” as the team gears up for the postseason.

“If I get down, I can’t do that being a leader. I have to stay positive and keep everything up,” he said.

If so, the Wildcats may once again be hoisting gold in December.

A look at Academy at the Lakes’ 17-game winning streak that dates to 2017
(The Wildcats last loss came on Sept. 7, 2017, a 50-35 home defeat to Eastland Christian)

2017
Sept. 22: Canterbury (48-16 win)

Sept. 28: Solid Rock Community (80-0 win)

Oct. 2: at St. Lucie Christian (49-12 win)

Oct. 13: Lakeside Christian (40-21 win)

Oct. 20: at Donahue Catholic (36-0 win)

Oct. 27: Seacoast Christian Academy (68-7 win)

Nov. 3: at Hernando Christian Academy (57-29 win)

Nov. 17: Canterbury (54-6 win)

Dec. 1: Eastland Christian (46-6 win)

Dec. 9: Old Plank Christian Academy (30-9 win)

2018
Sept. 14: Citi Christian Academy (24-12 win)

Sept. 21: at Solid Rock Community (53-6 win)

Sept. 28: at Canterbury (34-13 win)

Oct. 19: Faith Christian (46-13 win)

Oct. 26: St. Lucie Christian (13-0 win by forfeit)

Nov. 2: at Lakeside Christian (15-6 win)

Nov. 9: at Bell Creek Academy (52-0)

Published November 14, 2018

Academy at the Lakes savors first winning season

By

After five seasons of varsity baseball, senior Eric Hutchison can finally say he was part of a winning team.

“It’s always nice to be the first success in something. The fact that I’m a senior makes it much better,” said Hutchison, a team captain pitcher/infielder who’s played for Academy at the Lakes (AATL) since eighth grade.

The Wildcats just wrapped up its first winning season in program history, posting a 12-9 regular season mark, under third-year head coach John DiBenedetto.

Pitcher/infielder Eric Hutchison is one of just two seniors on Academy at the Lakes’ baseball roster. He finally got to celebrate a winning season after five seasons of varsity baseball. (Courtesy of Brian Teeter)

As several other of the school’s sports programs achieved notable success of late—namely football, basketball and softball— baseball often lagged behind.

The baseball team suffered five consecutive winless seasons from 2006 to 2010, and went a combined 17-45 from 2011 to 2015.

Hutchison remembers some of those trying years.

“When I played in eighth grade, it was rough,” he said. “We only won one or two games and that was due to forfeit…”

It hasn’t been the case the past three years under new leadership, however.

Since the 27-year-old DiBenedetto took over, the program has quietly been on an upward trajectory, going 8-11 in 2016, 9-12 in 2017 and then 12-9 this season.

A former standout at Blake and Newsome high schools, and later playing college baseball on scholarship in New Hampshire, DiBenedetto has brought an approach that prioritizes skill development and proper fundamentals, and mastering game situations via organized, purposeful practices and workouts.

A sign of the team’s previous struggles, DiBenedetto is already the program’s winningest coach with 29 career wins.

“He’s a really fun dude to play for,” said freshman middle infielder Jordan Oladokun, who’s played varsity baseball since seventh grade. “Honestly, I was thinking about quitting baseball, and he was the one that made me keep continuing my baseball career. …So, if it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t be here playing baseball right now.”

DiBenedetto’s in-game strategy is best described as “overly aggressive” — taking extra bases, stealing often, and manufacturing runs via hit-and-run plays.

The Wildcats collectively have 93 stolen bases (out of 103 attempts).

It’s a style that puts added pressure on opposing pitchers and defenses in the 2A ranks, forcing them to “make a play.”

“Because they’re high school kids in the moment, it’s not easy to field a ground ball and make a throw,” DiBenedetto said of the strategy.

But, the Wildcats newfound success is more than just a byproduct of small ball.

A quick glance at the numbers and it becomes clear why the Wildcats have enjoyed a breakout campaign.

The team batted a collective .351 with a .456 on-base percentage, setting a program record in about every offensive statistical category, from home runs (nine) and doubles (34), to RBIs (142) and runs scored (169).

The lineup showcased four .400-plus hitters — Oladokun (.455), freshman Andrew Kilfoyl (.452), Hutchison (.424), and freshman Jack Teeter (.411) — and two others batting over .350—freshman newcomer Spencer Boynton (.359) and senior Joel Eason (.353).

The pitching staff, anchored by Hutchison and others, likewise held its own, posting a 3.62 team ERA and 174 strikeouts in 120 innings pitched.

Making the most of a young roster
It was all done with a thin roster of just 11 healthy players, composed mainly of freshman, sophomores and eighth-graders.

Though young, the team was battle-tested with many who’ve played varsity since seventh grade and eighth grade, under DiBenedetto, respectively.

Players suggest the prior seasons together yielded greater camaraderie and trust, and therefore more success.

Academy at the Lakes celebrated its first-ever winning season with the help of a roster chock-full of young players, including, from left, freshmen Jack Teeter, Andrew Kilfoyl and Spencer Boynton.

“We kept the same guys here the whole time, so we all got closer, all started getting to know each other. We really got to know each other better, so that was really good,” Oladokun said.

“We play for each other,” Kilfoyl added. “We’ve been playing together, not so much for ourselves, but as one whole team.”

Meanwhile, DiBenedetto had an inkling 2018 was time for a breakout, after building up the program the last couple years.

Entering the season, the coach saw “a much more well-rounded team” with a strong batting order top to bottom and a deep pitching staff — even following the graduation of Darin Kilfoyl, Andrew’s older brother, who was perhaps the most dominant pitcher/hitter in program history. He now plays at St. Johns River State College in Palatka.

“We kind of knew coming in that, if it wasn’t last year, it was going to be this year,” the Wildcats coach said of a winning season.

“You didn’t have the superstar (Darin Kilfoyl) anymore, and that was the only fear at first…but, they’ve all complemented each other in their own certain outright way,” he said.

Along with a roster chock-full of underclassmen, the Wildcats racked up victories despite losing two key players to injuries in the first week of the season.

Not having a true home field was another challenge they’ve overcome.

While the team practices at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex, its handful of “home games” was at Northwest Little League near Leto High School in Hillsborough County, at least a 45-minute drive from the Academy at the Lakes campus. It’s a neutral site, at best, the coach said.

Moreover, several road games were in Citrus, Hernando, Pinellas and Polk counties.

“We’re traveling all over the place and to be where we are right now, it’s a credit to them,” DiBenedetto said.

Exceeding opponents’ expectations
Wherever they play and no matter the competition, DiBenedetto noted Wildcats players this year always came to the ballpark with a winning attitude and belief in themselves.

It resulted in winning several close games and coming from behind in others — each the makings of “a good baseball team.”

Third-year head coach John DiBenedetto, pictured with freshman middle infielder Jordan Oladokun, has helped turn around the Wildcats baseball program. A former college baseball player, DiBenedetto brings an aggressive coaching style combined with a focus on skill and player development.

Said DiBenedetto: “We have the conversation, ‘Prove everyone wrong because nobody expects you to do stuff. Continue to prove people wrong, and battle and chip, and fight and claw for what you deserve.’ That’s kind of been the motto we’ve adopted and hung onto all year, so we’ve embraced it; it’s been fun.”

Ask players their favorite game this season and it’s unanimous: A 6-5 win against Canterbury in early March — the Wildcats’ first-ever victory against the rival St. Petersburg-based private school.

Oladokun summed it up best: “Played them every single year, can’t beat ‘em. Played them twice a year, can’t beat ‘em. And, this year, everyone kind of was doubting us because we didn’t have Darin Kilfoyl, ‘the man.’ Everyone’s doubting us, and we went in there, beat ‘em 6-5, close game.”

The contest had extra meaning for Hutchison, the senior leader.

Two years ago, Hutchison allowed the winning run in the ninth inning of the district quarterfinals Canterbury, a 3-2 loss.

“It was super, super depressing because a bunch of seniors left that year, and we kind of sent them off on not the best note,” Hutchison recalled.

This time around, however, Hutchison made the last play to end the game.

“I got the ‘last say’ essentially. That was such a great feeling,” he said.

And, it’s likely not the last time Academy at the Lakes will get the best of Canterbury or other teams who previously dominated the once-floundering baseball program.

With a solid young corps to build around combined with coaching stability, the outlook seems promising for 2019 and beyond.

“It’s been a really fun year, and I’m looking forward to next year,” said Boynton, a shortstop/pitcher in his first year at Academy at the Lakes after attending Benito Middle School. “Hopefully we can get some more wins next year, too.”

DiBenedetto said the goal is to make modest improvements each season.

Still, he can’t help but think about the possibilities once his crop of talented freshman, like Boynton, become seniors.

“Just imagine three years from now when they’re going to be big and strong. It’s going to be crazy. It’s going to be exciting,” he said.

Published May 2, 2018

Academy at the Lakes wins state football title

By

They reached their goal.

Academy at the Lakes weathered chilly conditions and an undefeated opponent from Jacksonville to capture the school’s first-ever eight-man state football championship.

Offensive coordinator Landon Smith, a former National Football League player, was as happy as the team, as he holds the trophy bringing bragging rights to the school after winning the 2017 Florida Christian Association of Private and Parochial Schools (FCAPPS) state championship. (Fred Bellet)

An unwavering defensive performance — along with four combined touchdowns from freshman quarterback Jalen Brown and senior running back/linebacker Daniel Gonzalez — propelled the Wildcats to a 30-9 victory over the Old Plank Christian Academy Defenders in the Florida Christian Association of Private and Parochial Schools (FCAPPS) state championship on Dec. 9, at Southeastern University in Lakeland.

It was evident early, the Wildcats were the better team.

Academy at the Lakes scored on its first offensive possession —a 30-yard touchdown pass from Brown to freshman Jordan Oladokun, less than 7 minutes into the first quarter.

Brown added to the Wildcats lead late in the second quarter, diving into the end zone on a one-yard quarterback sneak — set up by his own 30-yard improvised run just a few plays earlier.

The team’s second scoring drive marked the “turning point” of the game, Wildcats head coach Shawn Brown said.

Academy at the Lakes head football coach Shawn Brown holds both trophies that he and his team won after defeating Jacksonville’s Old Plank Defenders at Victory Field in Lakeland.

“I think things were kind of going back and forth, then (Jalen) made that big run,” he said. “It was 8-0, then he kind of made that big run. I think it changed the whole momentum at that point.”

Old Plank had chances to narrow the gap, but was continuously plagued by its own mistakes in the form of penalties and turnovers, giving the Wildcats solid field position and extra offensive possessions.

A prime example: with the clock winding down in the second quarter, Old Plank quarterback Daniel Bosque fumbled just short of the end zone as time expired, preserving the Wildcats 16-0 lead at the half.

A costly turnover early in the second half made matters worse for the visiting Defenders, who entered the game 8-0.

Old Plank’s John Kilpatrick fumbled a punt return at the 25-yard line that was recovered by the Wildcats. The ensuing drive led to a 16-yard rushing touchdown by Gonzalez, just minutes into the third quarter.

Old Plank’s undisciplined play became chippy at times; the team was flagged for multiple late hits and facemasks.

Players, coaches and managers pose for a quick group shot after beating Old Plank. It’s the team’s first eight-man state title.

The Wildcats didn’t let some heated moments affect them, however.

“It could’ve gotten bad, and we could’ve lost our composure, and I think if we lose our composure, we lose that game,” Shawn Brown said. “We stayed true to what we do, kept the kids positive, and tried to walk away without losing their temper, and I think if we lose our temper, then we lose that game.”

Up 22-0, the Wildcats held the Defenders scoreless into the fourth quarter, until 244-pound fullback Quinton Sterling rushed two yards for a touchdown at the 9:22 mark.

“I think our defense, inevitably, is what won us this game, no doubt,” Gonzalez said. “We got some really key interceptions and really key three-and-outs, and that’s what won us this game. It wasn’t just the offense this game; we came together as a team.”

Gonzalez, named the game’s Most Valuable Player (MVP), for extra measure scored his second rushing touchdown of the night with less than 5 minutes left, all but sealing the win.

The two schools last met during the 2016 regular season, where Old Plank defeated Academy at the Lakes in that matchup, 41-20.

Academy at the Lakes head football coach Shawn Brown gets a second drenching by his son and team quarterback, No. 2 Jalen Brown.

Even with the three-score margin, the state championship was closer than most Wildcats games this season; they won their first two playoff games by 48 and 40 points, respectively.

“This is the best defensive team we’ve ever played this season,” Gonzalez said of Old Plank. “I’ve got to give them credit, but in the end we were the better team.”

And, despite making monumental plays on offense and defense, Gonzalez credited younger teammates for the team’s historic victory.

“It’s really interesting because the players that stepped up were all the young guys,” said Gonzalez, a senior team captain.

“We got the corner, Jordan Oladokun. We got Jalen Brown. And, those were the two people that really stepped up on offense and defense. They stepped up on both sides of the ball, and that’s the coolest part. It was the young people that stepped up.”

Brown, who took several big hits at quarterback, said the team never gave up.

“When we got knocked down, we got back up,” the freshman quarterback said. “The game started off a little tough, but we pushed through it, and our momentum carried us to this good victory.”

Chilly weather did not stop the Academy at the Lakes fans, as the bleachers were filled with supporters who found it was worth the drive to Lakeland to watch their Wildcats.

Gonzalez, who sported a ‘victory cigar’ after the game, was one of many players overwhelmed with excitement and joy in postgame festivities.

“I can’t even describe the feeling right now. I got the MVP. I got it all right now. I wouldn’t want anything more,” he said. “This is the best way to end my year. This is the best way to end a football season.”

He is one of the nine seniors on the roster and one of a handful who’ve been with the program since their freshman year.

The other seniors are: Thomas Kramer, Joel Eason, Evan Lutz, Tanner Bianchi, Isaiah Smith, Zachary Moore, Jack Passero and Cooper Weber.

Some, including Gonzalez, had never played organized football before joining the Wildcats program.

Academy at the Lakes No. 7 Daniel Gonzalez had no problem getting by the Old Plank Defenders. Gonzalez was the game’s most valuable player. The game is part of the 2017 Florida High School Football Playoff Brackets – FCSA 8-Man tournament.

“It’s awesome, because that’s my first true graduating class. They’ve come a long way,” said Shawn Brown, who’s in his fourth season as head coach.

The 2017 campaign signaled a complete turnaround for the Wildcats football program.

Academy at the Lakes went 2-8 in 2016, after finishing 4-7 and 3-5 the prior two seasons.

Coach Brown added: “To watch these kids as freshman, and some of them not knowing anything at all with football, to being like that doormat and getting pounded on. There are no words I’ve got to explain it. I’m speechless. I thought I’d have more to say. We reached our goal.”

The football program’s last state title came in 2006, when Academy at the Lakes played in the six-man ranks.

Academy at the Lakes athletic director Tom Haslam underscored the importance of the state title for the Land O’ Lakes private school.

“It’s great for everybody across the board, not just sports, but it transcends everything,” Haslam said. “So much dedication and hard work goes into it, and other kids see that and other kids want to be a part of that, whether it’s football, basketball or chorus, or whatever. And, it’s just kind of contagious.”

Academy at the Lakes Wildcats 2017 roster (By jersey number)
1—Jordan Oladokun, freshman

2—Jalen Brown, freshman

3—Tioma Stepanets, junior

4—Isaiah Smith, senior

5—Jamaal Johnson, junior

7—Daniel Gonzalez, senior

8—Jack O’ Malley, senior

9—Caleb Yann, freshman

10—Thomas Kramer, senior

11—Cole Lallanilla, sophomore

12—Denzyl Downing, sophomore

13—Anthony Quintana, sophomore

15—Joel Eason, senior

17—Zachary Moore, senior

18—Elijah Freedman, sophomore

22—Dylan Price, junior

23—Jack Passero, senior

47—Tanner Bianchi, senior

48—Andrew Kilfoyl, freshman

52—Matthew Martin, sophomore

54—Cooper Weber, senior

55—Jordan Witt, sophomore

60—Evan Lutz, senior

98—Jacon Ayoub, freshman

99—Dwight Downing, freshman

Inactives:
8—Jack O’ Malley, senior

20—A.J. Panepinto, eighth grade

81—Terrell Woods, eighth grade

87—James Elverson, eighth grade

Coaches:
Shawn Brown, head coach/defensive coordinator

Kevin Barrett, assistant coach/offensive & defensive line

Ben Donatelli, assistant coach/ line coach

Kirk Downing, assistant coach/stats

Steve Hagenau, assistant coach/trainer

Landon Smith, assistant coach/offensive coordinator

Jesus Solar, assistant coach/quarterbacks

Henry Oladokun, assistant coach/defensive backs

Troy Williams, assistant coach

Manager(s): A.J. Panepinto, Hunter Price

Ball Boy/Girl: Payton Williams, Katie Erin McCormick

 

Game-by-game results:
Aug. 25: at Citi Christian Academy (40-22 win)
Sept 7: Eastland Christian (50-35 loss)
Sept. 22: Canterbury (48-16 win)
Sept. 28: Solid Rock Community (80-0 win)
Oct. 2: at Saint Lucie Christian (49-12 win)
Oct. 13: Lakeside Christian (40-21 win)
Oct. 20: at Donahue Catholic (36-0 win)
Oct. 27: Seacoast Christian Academy (68-7 win)
Nov. 3: at Hernando Christian Academy (57-29 win)
Nov. 17: Canterbury (54-6 win)
Dec. 1: Eastland Christian (46-6 win)
Dec. 9: Old Plank Christian Academy (30-9 win)

 

Scoring Plays
First quarter
(5:35) — Academy at the Lakes (AATL) quarterback Jalen Brown completes a 30-yard touchdown pass to receiver Jordan Oladokun; two-point conversion good (8-0, AATL leads)

Second quarter
(2:51) — Brown rushes one yard for a touchdown; two-point conversion good (16-0, AATL leads)

Third quarter
(7:52)— AATL running back Daniel Gonzalez rushes 16 yards for a touchdown; extra point no good (22-0, AATL leads)

Fourth quarter
(9:22)— Old Plank Christian Academy fullback Quinton Sterling rushed two yards for a touchdown; two-point conversion attempt no good (22-7, AATL leads)

(4:40) — Gonzalez rushed three yards for a touchdown; two-point conversion good (30-7, AATL leads)

(1:10) – Old Plank credited for a safety (30-9, AATL leads)

Final: 30-9, AATL wins

Published December 13, 2017

Academy at the Lakes football relishes playoffs, breakout season

By

Academy at the Lakes football head coach Shawn Brown anticipated a team turnaround before the season.

He was right.

After three consecutive losing seasons in the eight-man football ranks, the Wildcats are in the midst of one of its best in program history, with a state title in reach.

The team currently stands at 9-1, including a 7-0 mark in Florida Christian Region 2 — worthy enough for a No. 2 ranking in the state among all eight-man schools.

And, they’re just a win away from reaching the FCAPPS (Florida Christian Association of Private and Parochial Schools) championship game.

Most recently, the Wildcats downed Canterbury 54 to 6 in the state quarterfinals on Nov 17.

Academy at the Lakes’ offense is averaging a staggering 51 points per game this season, aiding the team during its eight-game winning streak. The Wildcats downed Canterbury 54 to 6 in the state quarterfinals on Nov 17.
(Courtesy of Academy at the Lakes)

The playoff blowout isn’t a shock. The Wildcats have scored an average of 51 points per game this season while allowing just 15.2 points per game.

That season-long dominance has allowed Brown and his coaching staff to build depth among its 24 active players — utilizing backups in place of starters during second-halves of several games.

“It’s been really neat to watch the whole dynamics of a true team, overall,” said Brown, who is in his fourth season as head coach. “Our starters giving up a lot of playing time for our backups to get in, and our backups this year have gotten a lot of playing time.

“Most teams don’t beat people like we have, where the backups get a lot of playing time.”

The team’s next game is Dec. 1 against Orlando’s Eastland Christian (10-1) — the only team to defeat the Wildcats this season, back on Sept. 7.

The Wildcats lost that matchup 50-35, despite entering halftime with a 28-14 lead. Brown explained dehydration and cramping issues among several starters stymied the team in the second half.

“We probably needed to be humbled,” Brown said, of the September loss. “We, as coaches, are reminding them that we’ve been on that losing side for so long, so we tell them to, ‘Respect the game.’”

Academy at the Lakes went 2-8 in 2016, after finishing 4-7 and 3-5 the prior two seasons.

Much of the past struggle can be credited to youth and inexperience.

This year’s team, however, is dotted with upperclassman and skill players.

Brown expected improvements this season, though not to this extent.

“Has it been a surprise to me to how we played? Absolutely. But, I can’t say we were going to come here and mop people like we have,” he said.

“At some point we were going to have a breakout season. It just happened to be this season,” he said.

Brown credits the team’s summer offseason program, which included weightlifting sessions three days a week, participating in Division I college camps, and competing in various seven-on-seven tournaments, sometimes facing 11-man schools from Classes 7A and 8A.

The work, Brown said, taught Wildcats “to be competitive.”

Pure talent and execution on offense is another key reason for the team’s historic run, added offensive coordinator Landon Smith.

Freshman quarterback Jalen Brown has displayed composure and maturity, throwing 11 touchdowns and just one interception.

Seniors Daniel Gonzalez (889 rushing yards, 19 touchdowns) and Isaiah Smith (17 receptions, 495 yards, 13 touchdowns) have been explosive playmakers, as has junior Jamaal Johnson (642 scrimmage yards, eight touchdowns).

“From one game to the next, we probably run about seven plays, and they just execute those plays very well. These kids are getting chunks of yards with the same play over and over,” Landon Smith explained.

“A lot of these kids have been here since eighth-graders, so at this point, they’ve had a number of years to learn this system. I like to think it’s the play calling, but I think it’s more of the kids and their talent and execution that’s making us, offensively, as good as we are,” he said.

The team’s defense likewise has flashed, posting a combined 59 sacks and 90 tackles for loss, 18 forced fumbles, and 13 interceptions — which includes 10 picks by freshman cornerback Jordan Oladokun, the younger brother of University of South Florida quarterback Chris Oladokun.

“I think what’s really leading to our success this year is we’re having fun,” said Jalen Brown, the son of head coach Shawn Brown.

“We’re winning, and starting new traditions and everything. The atmosphere is totally different this year than it was last year. We’ve got handshake celebrations and everything. Our defense cheers for our offense, and our offense cheers for defense.”

Seniors, too, are cherishing the 2017 campaign and what remains.

“It’s been an honor. It’s been an awesome ride,” Daniel Gonzalez said. “I wouldn’t want to end my senior year any other way. This is a heck of a ride. I’m having a lot of fun; all these guys are so into it, and everyone wants to win a state championship this year.”

Isaiah Smith defined this season as “awesome and inspiring.”

“Last year it was like having training wheels, and we were just getting our feet wet, to be honest. Now, this year, it’s kind of showing what we can do now,” Smith said.

“I think it’s just a statement of how far we can go to reach the top.”

Game-by-game results:
Aug. 25: at Citi Christian Academy (40-22 win)
Sept 7: Eastland Christian (50-35 loss)
Sept. 22: Canterbury (48-16 win)
Sept. 28: Solid Rock Community (80-0 win)
Oct. 2: at Saint Lucie Christian (49-12 win)
Oct. 13: Lakeside Christian (40-21 win)
Oct. 20: at Donahue Catholic (36-0 win)
Oct. 27: Seacoast Christian Academy (68-7 win)
Nov. 3: at Hernando Christian Academy (57-29 win)
Nov. 17: Canterbury (54-6 win)

Published November 22, 2017