Oakleaf Ready To Rebound In 2021

If you have followed Oakleaf's football program for the past 5-6 years, you already know the talent that these teams have been producing. Power 5, high-level, mid-level, FCS, Division 2 and 3, NAIA and just about every other avenue to get an education and play football, Oakleaf has been able to keep the flow of student/athletes moving to the next level – no matter where it is. When <strong>Frank Garis</strong> took over as head coach in 2018, he inherited a team that <strong>Steve Reynolds</strong> had for a season and finished 2-8. Garis followed <strong>Chrys Bullock, Joel Brighton, Derek Chipoetti </strong>and Reynolds. For Oakleaf, the goal has always been to clear the hurdle that the teams in the region continue to control. While it has posted solid seasons, winning eight games in 2015 and six in 2016, it has just one state playoff berth. That camp in 2014 when the Knights went 12-1 under Chipoletti. Finishing 7-4 this past season, Garis and the coaching staff will tell you that was indeed and up and down year for the Knights. Beating talented Gainesville Buchholz (35-14) to start the season was a huge win against a program that has some impressive talent. Then, as many expected, losing 37-17 to Georgia powerhouse Lowndes County. A win over state 2A runner up Jacksonville University Christian (45-28) was followed by another setback – during a very challenging season. Losing to another Georgia power, Camden County, 25-12, the Knights then beat Orange Park rival Fleming Island in an exciting overtime (29-22) game. That was followed by another solid win (35-12) against Jacksonville Mandarin, and then a tough loss to power Bartram Trail (30-27). With a win (35-14) and a play forfeit victory over Nease, the Knights then took care of a very gifted Green Cove Springs Clay team, 41-14. The season came to an end on a tough note as Oakleaf was soundly beaten by a Bartram Trail team they had battled just a month before, 51-7. That loss was something that has motivated this program – and it all begins with a rising senior (2022) class that is indeed talented. Major athletes like <strong>Honorae Murray</strong> (WR, 6-3, 180 – 3.36 GPA), <strong>Wyatt Nordean</strong> (OL, 6-4, 275 – 2.8 GPA) and <strong>LaAnthony Stephens</strong> (DE/OLB, 6-4, 230 – 2.5 GPA). All three of these football prospects will be counted on this coming season – and yes – the summer will be huge for development and competition. In addition to those three standouts, the class also features <strong>Micah Caldwell</strong> (OL/DL, 6-3, 330 – 2.8 GPA), <strong>Caleb Joyner</strong> (CB, 5-10, 170 – 2.55 GPA), <strong>Keyshaun Riley</strong> (OLB, 6-3, 215 – 2.8 GPA), <strong>Jaedon Stokes</strong> (CB, 6-0, 170 – 3.1 GPA) and receiver <strong>Kenny Valentin</strong> (6-0, 165 – 2.75 GPA). <strong>THE FUTURE LOOKS PROMISING</strong> As the rising seniors will do what they can to make this a playoff team in 2021, keep an eye on the underclassmen. The Knights have a number of gifted football talent in the Class of 2023. Among those that this team needs to continue to work in the off-season include versatile <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="128830" first="Drew" last="Ammon"]</strong> (QB/P/K, 6-1, 218 – 3.29 GPA), <strong>Kyland Armstrong </strong>(OL, 6-3, 260 – 3.625 GPA), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="128444" first="Taylor" last="Bradshaw"] </strong>(WR/DB, 6-0, 155 – 3.12 GPA),<strong> Devin Colyer </strong>(WR, 6-3, 175 – 2.6 GPA), <strong>Jaylin Martin</strong> (WR, 6-1, 175 – 3.18 GPA) and offensive lineman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="128601" first="Jordan" last="Mitchell"]</strong> (OL, 6-4, 270 – 3.76 GPA). Also, the Knights feature prospects like <strong>Davin Outlaw</strong> (RB, 5-10, 217 – 3.11 GPA), <strong>Krishawn Sanders </strong>(OL/DL, 6-3, 275 – 2.72 GPA), <strong>Isaiah Shevchook </strong>(FB/LB, 5-11, 220 – 3.25 GPA), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="128814" first="Trevyn" last="Smith"]</strong>, (DB, 6-0, 160 – 3.47 GPA) and athletic <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="128529" first="Corey" last="Washington"]</strong> (DB/WR, 5-11, 170 – 2.69 GPA). Don't forget Class of 2024 standout <strong>Akeem Neal</strong> (OL, 6-2, 280). &nbsp; <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>PHOTO COURTESY OF OAKLEAF HIGH SCHOOL</strong> <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>