ALACHUA — Nine months ago, many wondered why Earnest Graham took the head coaching job at Santa Fe.
The Raiders won two games from 2021-2024. Graham’s track record ― legendary running back and top SW Florida coach in his own right ― secured a top job.
Graham accepted the job for potential. The potential of full stands in Alachua. The epitome of small-town high school football.
Friday night, that dream morphed closer to reality as the Raiders defeated Palatka 24-20 in front of a packed house. The win moves SF to 3-0 for the first time since 2014 and guarantees the program’s most wins since 2020.
“I’m not surprised. We have a great community here. Our kids, they wake up every day, and they play hard,” Graham said. “When you do that, good things happen.”
The prep for the Raiders this week was brutal. They went 2-0 by a combined score of 105-14, but Zarephath Academy and Harvest Community are hardly powerhouses.
Palatka, though, is a district opponent with playoff berths in recent years.
The grueling practices didn’t bother Keimarion Neal. The senior heard the doubters, including from yours truly, wondering if Santa Fe was “for real?”
“It was all lock in. No playing around, no goofing, none of it,” Neal said. “This is a district game.”
The Raiders turnaround has been aided by Neal and fellow running back Jasiah Powell. They’ve played in big games ― Neal at Fort White and Powell at Buchholz.
Powell ran for over 700 yards in half a season at Buchholz in 2024. He scored a touchdown Friday and helped burn critical clock in the fourth quarter. Graham called Powell the “center” of the team.
“Kids check themselves when they’re around him. They care about what he thinks,” Graham said. “He’s going to move the pile and set the tone for us as an offense.”
Neal, who also scored a touchdown Friday night, called the duo special.
“He’s thunder, and I’m lightning,” Neal said.
Graham praised Neal’s ability to step up. The senior was called to play defense, and he did, including making a key fourth quarter tackle.
Neal is willing to make sacrifices for Graham. The players respect him. This was the goal when SF hired him. That he can use his background to gain respect.
“It makes us hungrier to go play and make it to the next level,” Neal said. “Coach says you need to play 110 percent to play at the next level, and we believe him since he’s done it.”
Neal is in the ear of an even more recent Gator. Earnest’s son Myles ― the sophomore starting linebacker for UF ― texts him before every game.
The difficult part, though, just begins for Graham and Co. The Raiders hit the road next week to face Fernandina Beach for the first time this season. Challenging game vs. University Christian and Bradford still loom.
Neal said everyone on the team must remain aware of the team’s goal ― which is states. It might seem bold, but Teddy Bridgewater took a 4-6 team to a state championship in one year. Sometimes you just need the right coach.
Graham thinks it’s all about balance. You can’t lay it all out this early in the season.
“We always talk about the team that’s playing at the end of the year is hitting on all cylinders, and we could be one of those teams,” Graham said.
Kickoff with the Pirates is set for 7:30 p.m., while Palatka hosts Nature Coast Tech.
Noah Ram covers Florida Gators athletics and Gainesville-area high school sports for The Gainesville Sun, GatorSports.com and the USA TODAY Network. Contact him at nram@gannett.com. Follow him on X @Noah_ram1. Read his coverage of the Gators’ national championship basketball season in “CHOMP-IONS!” — a hardcover coffee-table collector’s book from The Sun. Details at Florida.ChampsBook.com
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: ‘Want to make him proud:’ How Earnest Graham’s Santa Fe turnaround has paid dividends three games in
Reporting by Noah Ram, Gainesville Sun / The Gainesville Sun
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
