Out-of-Door, Saint Stephen's, Sarasota Christian, Classical Academy 2024 football previews

The Herald-Tribune will get you ready for the coming high school football season. Here are team previews for the Sarasota and Manatee teams competing in the Sunshine State Athletic Association in 2024 .

Out-of-Door Academy Thunder

COACH: Rob Hollway, 3rd season (15-6)

LAST YEAR: 6-5 (won SSAA Class 4A Championship)

CLASS: Sunshine State Athletic Association 11-man South Region

HOME FIELD: Thunder Field, 5950 Deer Drive, Sarasota

COACH HOLLWAY’S OUTLOOK: “As with any small school, a big key will be staying healthy. Especially now that SSAA schools are permitted to play a 10-game regular season (up from eight). If the ODA Thunder can stay healthy, they are equipped to make another run at a SSAA Championship. The 2024 roster has multiple players with offers. You can expect big years from All-SSAA selections, Allen Clark, Frankie Clark and Marvin Palominos. You can also expect the Thunder to be more multiple and balanced with the addition of new pass-game coordinator Nate Strawderman and defensive coordinator Zach Hammond (both from Bradenton Christian School). Wide receivers Winston Crisci, Dylan Walker and Carson Fisher will get more targets, which is historically different from the run-heavy offense over the past two seasons under offensive coordinator Jim Bougor.”

SCHEDULE: Aug. 16 at Keswick Christian; Aug. 23 vs. Faith Christian; Aug. 30 at Central Florida Christian; Sept. 6 vs. Saint Stephen’s; Sept. 13 off; Sept. 20 vs. Sarasota Christian; Sept. 27 at Santa Fe Catholic; Oct. 4 at Bishop McLaughlin Catholic; Oct. 10 vs. Canterbury; Oct. 18 at Seffner Christian; Oct. 25 vs. Windermere Prep

2024 team previews: Independents: IMG Academy and North Port 2024 high school football previews

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Saint Stephen's Falcons

COACH: Chris Valcarcel, 1st season

LAST YEAR: 8-3 (lost in the final of the SSAA 5A Championship)

CLASS: Sunshine State Athletic Association 11-man South

HOME FIELD: Moore Athletic Complex, 315 41st. W., Bradenton

COACH VALCARCEL’S OUTLOOK: “We have a lot of returning starters and had a great summer of strength and speed training. The QB position is going to be a major factor. We have a transfer in from Canada (6' 6" Jr Harry Jones) who will be competing with freshman Luke Zieglar and sophomore Jack White for the spot. Greg Williford will be running the offense and looking to get away from being run heavy and becoming more balanced with a spread offense. Looking for big things from returning starter Cam Brewer at the running back position, and three returning starting WRs. Defense should be stout and well coached, led by Jeremy Stroh and Austin Varga on the D-line and brothers Jed and Tommy MacArthur at inside LB.”

SCHEDULE: Aug. 16 vs. Oasis; Aug. 23 at Master’s Academy; Aug. 30 vs. Northside Christian; Sept. 6 vs. Out-of-Door; Sept. 13 at Central Florida Christian Academy; Sept. 20 off; Sept. 27 at Marco Island; Oct. 4 vs. Jordan Christian Prep; Oct. 11 at Cambridge Christian; Oct. 18 at Sarasota Christian; Oct. 25 vs. Indian Rocks Christian

Sarasota Christian Blazers

COACH: Jacob Spenn, 3rd season (15-8)

LAST YEAR: 8-3 (lost in the first round of the SSAA Class AAA 8-man bracket)

CLASS: Sunshine State Athletic Association 11-man South Region

HOME FIELD: 5415 Bahia Vista St., Sarasota

COACH SPENN’S OUTLOOK: “Sarasota Christian School will have a roster of 54 players in its first ever 11-man season. We will continue to move the ball through the air and should be a lot of fun to watch on Friday nights. We have experienced seniors for the first time in school history but will still be a young football team. There is certainly a lot of uncertainty with new opponents and the play in the trenches will be key. We have some good linemen but have only had to play with three so we need to increase our depth there. We have great depth at the skill positions. 41 of our 53 players are sophomores and below so how they develop will be key to our success.”

SCHEDULE: Aug. 16 at Old Plank Christian Academy; Aug. 23 vs. Bishop McLaughlin Catholic; Aug. 30 at Bell Creek Academy; Sept. 6 at Southwest Florida Christian Academy; Sept. 13 vs. Cambridge Christian; Sept. 20 at Out-of-Door Academy; Sept. 27 off; Oct. 4 at Gateway Charter; Oct. 11 vs. Keswick Christian; Oct. 18 vs. Saint Stephen’s; Oct. 25 off

The Classical Academy of Sarasota Patriots

COACH: Matt Favero, 3rd season (10-14)

LAST YEAR: 5-6, lost in the first round of the SSAA 8-man Class AA bracket

CLASS: Sunshine State Athletic Association 8-man Central Division

HOME FIELD: 8751 Fruitville Road, Sarasota

COACH FAVERO’S OUTLOOK: “After graduating nine seniors, TCA is looking to a new group of young motivated leaders to continue to build the culture of grit and toughness left to them by the previous leadership core. TCA will be a young team that looks to compete with every team on their schedule. After turning over its largest senior class, new leaders are forming and young men that have been waiting for their opportunity will have their moment to put their stamp on a third-year program.  The development of these young players will be the key to the season and focusing on creating a good on-field process will be the focus of the coaching staff to get the most out of the new starters.”

SCHEDULE: Aug. 23 at Cornerstone Academy; Aug. 30 vs. Geneva Classical Academy; Sept. 6 off; Sept. 13 at Donahue Catholic; Sept. 20 vs. Foundation Christian; Sept. 27 off; Oct. 4 at Lakeside Christian; Oct. 11 at Babcock; Oct. 18 vs. Vero Beach Master’s Academy; Oct. 25 at Oasis Christian

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This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Out-of-Door, Saint Stephen's, Sarasota Christian, Classical Academy 2024 football previews