Can Orlando Olympia Get Over The Hump?

If you asked any member of the Orlando Olympia football team about the 2020 season, everyone of them will tell you the same thing. Finishing 5-5 after a 3-0 start was not acceptable to head coach <strong>Travis Gabriel</strong> and the rest of his football team – and that’s why this off-season – there has been a strong commitment to once again facing the tough challenges by working hard and attending everything possibe. When looking back at the 2020 season, it’s not about those wins over Kissimmee Gateway (44-8), Orlando Oak Ridge (26-23), Orlando University (45-25), Clermont East Ridge (36-30) and a 7-6 playoff win against Oak Ridge that this team is thinking about. It’s those losses, all of them lopsided that has this team working overtime as spring is now less than two weeks away. What the Titans need to do this spring is look at the rising seniors (2022), who have the experience to help guide many of the younger prospects. That is the group that will continue this upward direction. Leading the way in this class are standout quarterback <strong>Charles “CJ” Brooks</strong> (6-1, 175 – 2.7 GPA), who is one of the state’s top returnees, and Nebraska commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="108648" first="Victor" last="Jones"] Jr. </strong>(WR. 6-3, 190, 2.7 GPA). Brooks has a had a very productive off-season – with combines and 7-on-7 events taking up much of his time – along with his training sessions. Jones is considered to be one of the top receivers in Florida for the class – and will be one of those catalysts this program needs. As good as Brooks is, and colleges are watching him closely, he cannot get it done alone. The Titans will also have rising seniors <strong>Jalen Coutain</strong> (WR/KR, 6-1, 175 – 4.2 GPA), <strong>Ashton Davis</strong> (LB, 5-11, 185 – 3.0 GPA), <strong>Ashton Hage</strong> (DE/LB, 6-0, 220 – 3.2 GPA), <strong>Ehigie Aliu-Otokiti</strong> (DL, 6-1, 265 – 3.4 GPA), <strong>Jakobe Reed</strong> (SS, 6-1, 200 – 2.8 GPA), <strong>Gavin Richardson</strong> (OT, 6-7, 320 – 2.7 GPA) and gifted linebacker <strong>Neil “Kevin” Sullivan</strong> (6-1, 210 – 5.0 GPA, 24 ACT, 1270 SAT). <strong>THE UNDERCLASSMEN ARE TALENTED AND READY TO GO</strong> The success of this program in 2021 will be measured on how the underclassmen perform. Class of 2023 standouts <strong>Joseph Evans</strong> (FS, 6-2, 175), <strong>Cameron Friedman</strong> (WR, 6-1, 170) and linebacker <strong>Donnell McCray Jr</strong> (6-1, 215) are set to make a contribution. So are Class of 2024 prospects <strong>Matthew Sheldon</strong> (OL, 6-1, 255) and <strong>Jalon Thompson</strong> (CB, 6-0, 175). <strong>TRACKING FLORIDA: Teams Look At 2021 Season. </strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2021/03/tracking-florida-teams-look-at-2021-season/">https://prepredzone.com/2021/03/tracking-florida-teams-look-at-2021-season/</a> <strong><em>You Can Contact [player_tooltip player_id="111610" first="Larry" last="Blustein"] with prospect or team information at: Floridakids1@aol.com. We are also on Social Media on @PrepRedzonefl.</em></strong>