The Sunshine State Athletic Association regular season starts Friday, Aug. 14. To prepare for the 2026 high school football season, here are the previews for the Sarasota and Manatee schools competing in the SSAA.
Here are the team previews for Bradenton Christian, Classical Academy of Sarasota, Out-of-Door Academy, Saint Stephen’s and Sarasota Christian.
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BRADENTON CHRISTIAN
Coach: Brian Palone (second year)
Last season: 12-1
Overview: Bradenton Christian went 12-1 in 2025, falling to Real Life christian in the SSAA 8-man state championship. Despite graduating several pieces, Bradenton Christian will return a key one — quarterback Holland Hume. The senior threw for 2,289 yards and 30 touchdowns last season, completing 64.5% of his passes. Still, several players will have to step up after the Panthers lose wideout Connar Henderson, Ben Krikke and Dylan Herron.
Schedule: Aug. 14 at First Academy; August 21 Orlando Christian Prep; Aug. 28 at Lakeside Christian; Sept. 4 at Hernando Christian; Sept. 11 Donahue Academy; Sept. 18 at Lake Mary Prep; Sept. 25 Slam Tampa; Oct. 8 Shoecrest Prep; Oct. 16 at Foundation Christian; Oct. 23 at The Classical Academy of Sarasota
CLASSICAL ACADEMY OF SARASOTA
Coach: Geoff McBride (second season)
Last season: 4-8
Overview: McBride has a sophomore heavy this season. Out of the 25-man roster the 8-man squad has, 14 are sophomores. And while they’re still young, McBride says the group has grown up fast as the program and its facilities — which should be finished in 2027 — also grows. “That’s our meat and bones,” McBride said. “They’re here now. So we have arrived and we’re trying to open up that winning window with that group.” He said the players have also bought into the program, which led led by junior tight end/defensive end Brandon McBride. He’s 6-foot, 190 pounds. TCA also boasts junior Joseph Springer, a defensive back/running back. Last season, Springer had 16 total tackles and one tackle for loss. Geoff McBride also highlighted wide receiver/defensive back Evan Branson. “They look different physically,” Geoff McBride said. “The parents are in. Our facilities are being built with the schools. So, all this is coming together. The timing of it is special I feel. Everything’s coming together at the right time.”
Schedule: Aug. 21 at Riverview Academy; Aug. 28 at Slam Tampa; sSept. 4 Foundation; Sept. 11 Shorecrest; Sept. 18 BYE; Sept. 25 at Donahue; Oct. 2 City of Life; Oct. 9 at Lakeside; Oct. 16 at Geneva Classical; Oct. 23 Bradenton Christian
OUT-OF-DOOR ACADEMY
Coach: Rob Hollway (fifth season)
Last season: 8-3
Overview: Defensive coordinator Chris Hammond is entering his third season at ODA. In 2024, the team lose one game, falling to Jupiter Christian the SSAA 11-man state semifinals . In 2025, ODA lost to Jupiter Christian in the semis once again. Hammond said the Thunder’s focus this season is “trying to get over that hump.” “I think that they probably feel a huger to really get past what these kids laid out for them, how to walk this path, how to be successful,” Hammond said. “I think they just have a different determine and drive.” Hammond described the senior and junior classes as possibly the best in school history, while also adding at least eight transfers. ODA boasts Alex Falu — a senior who can play on both sides of the ball — and junior Kingston Kokoefer, who has started the last two seasons and wide receiver and defensive back. Senior Jack Beasley will return, who had 54 total tackles, 12 solo tackles, 25 tackles for loss, 34 quarterback hurries and nine sacks last season. The trio’s veteran presence will be critical as ODA hopes to overcome the barrier of the last two seasons and make the state title game.
Schedule: Aug. 14 Indian Rocks; Aug. 21 Babcock Neighborhood; Aug. 28 at Cambridge Christian; Sept. 4 at Saint Stephen’s; Sept. 18 Sarasota Christian; Sept. 24 at IMG Academy; Oct. 2 Southwest Florida Christian; Oct. 8 at Seffner Christian; Oct. 23 Canterbury School
SAINT STEPHEN’S
Coach: Chris Valcarcel (third season)
Last season: 5-6
Overview: Valcarcel described Saint Stephen’s roster as one of the strongest in recent memory. After finishing 5-6 in 2025, the Falcons return wide wide receiver/linebacker Nate Schueller, who had three touchdowns and 460 receiving yards. Saint Stephen’s also has wide receiver/defensive back Ashton Fischer, who had four receiving touchdowns in 2025. Senior linebacker Zach Bonisch and defensive end/linebacker Carlos Barrera — who had a team-high 6.5 sacks in 2025 — will also play integral roles for the Falcons this season. Junior Carson McBride had 116 tackles, two interceptions and one forced fumble last season, while two-way starter Dylan McLeod recovered five fumbles in 2025. Valcarcel said he feels excited about this group.
Schedule: Aug. 14 Bishop McLaughlin; Aug. 21 Hudson; Aug. 28 at Sarasota Christian; Sept. 4 Out-of-Door; Sept. 11 Babcock; Sept. 18 Seven Rivers; Sept. 25 at Marco Island; Oct. 2 Canterbury School; Oct. 9 BYE; Oct. 16 at Sante Fe Catholic
SARASOTA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
Coach: Jacob Spenn (sixth season)
Last year: 5-6
Overview: After finishing 5-6 last season, Spenn is looking to improve with a senior-heavy lineup, featuring standout safety/wide receiver Noah Spenn and senior guard/defensive tackle Jacob Murray. Jacob Spenn, who is Noah’s father, said that the 6-foot-4 receiver “catches absolutely everything.” He has a plus-5 wingspan and a max touch measuring 11.5 feet. “If we get inside the 10-yard line, I don’t think there’s anybody that can stop him.” Noah had nine touchdowns on 31 receptions last season. Murray is a 6-foot-2, 300-pound lineman who can “flat move,” according to the head coach. The Blazers will have a new quarterback in Tait Zeltwanger, who is a sophomore. Jacob Spenn said the team’s offense will be more run-heavy, relying on two running backs and Zeltwanger’s ground game. “This team in particular, it does have a lot of seniors,” Jacob Spenn said. “And they’re very unselfish, which I know is kind of uncommon, but really, there’s not a lot of ego with them. They just kind of do their job and have fun together.”
Schedule: Aug. 14 Gateway Charter; Aug. 21 at Canterbury School; Aug. 28 Saint Stephen’s; Sept. 4 at Southwest Florida Christian; Sept. 11 Cambridge Christian; Sept. 18 at Out-of-Door Academy; Sept. 25 Northside Christian; Oct. 2 at Babcock; Oct. 9 at Indian Rocks Christian; Oct. 23 Keswick Christian
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: SSAA Team Previews: ODA, Saint Stephen’s, Bradenton Christian and more
Reporting by Emma Moon, Sarasota Herald-Tribune / Sarasota Herald-Tribune
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Emma Moon, Sarasota Herald-Tribune | USA TODAY Network
