Elite Schedule Awaits The First Academy

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With over 100 high schools attending the Central Florida Media Days last week, there was no getting around the fact that Orlando's The First Academy was the “rock star” everyone came to see.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Loaded with some of the best talent in the state, the Royals came to Camping World Stadium on Saturday as one of those programs that many other players, coaches and media wanted to see.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Clemson, Illinois, Nebraska and hundreds of other schools watched this program during the spring as they unloaded their fury on defending 7A state runner up Lake Mary with an abundance of top-flight prospects.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While they were found to have broken rules, this program, who played at the 1A level, was forced to forfeit game and miss the state playoffs. That punishment carries over to this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Instead of running to other programs, this group of major college prospects decided to stay – and while head coach <strong>Jeff Conaway</strong> cannot coach in games – this program did something that certainly made it attractive for these young men stay around.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Playing as an independent, they loaded up the schedule – giving them perhaps the most challenging opponents in the country – with state and national teams providing stiff competition.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Orlando The First Academy Royals</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>HEAD COACH: Jeff Conoway</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DISTRICT: Independent</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 RECORD: 9-1</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 SCHEDULE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>8/14 – Bradenton IMG Academy</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>8/22 – Milton, Georgia</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>8/29 – Phenix City Central, Alabama</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>9/4 - @Port St. Lucie Treasure Coast</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>9/12 - @Eau Gallie</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>9/19 - @Venice</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>9/26 - @Havana Gadsden County</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>10/3 - @Baltimore St. Francis Academy</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>10/24 – Princeton Hun Academy, New Jersey</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>10/31 - @Lakeland</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PROSPECT TO WATCH</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are some of the players who attended the Central Florida Media Days:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 - [player_tooltip player_id='1266256' first='Chancellor' last='Barclay'], OL, 6'4, 295 – 4.6 GPA. </strong>This Clemson commit is one of the best in the nation, and will be a force at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/17927842/Chancellor-Barclay" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/17927842/Chancellor-Barclay</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 - [player_tooltip player_id='1249104' first='Devin' last='Jackson'], S, 6'3, 190. </strong>One of the most athletic defensive secondary performers who has been receiving major college attention over the past year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/17699777/Devin-Jackson" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/17699777/Devin-Jackson</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 – [player_tooltip player_id='1249169' first='Demetrice' last='McCray'], WR/RB, 6'0, 187 – 3.5 GPA. </strong>Yet another elite performer who is headed to the University of Pittsburgh as a versatile football player.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/18559920/Demetrice-Mccray" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/18559920/Demetrice-Mccray</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 – [player_tooltip player_id='1628889' first='Danny' last='Odem'] III, CB/WR, 6'2, 190. </strong>This Nebraska commit is easily one of the best talents in the state – and will be one of the star attractions this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/17505550/Danny-Odem-III" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/17505550/Danny-Odem-III</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 – [player_tooltip player_id='1266273' first='Kingston' last='Shaw'], OLB/DE, 6'4, 245. </strong>Making his way from Apopka for his final season, this impressive University of Illinois commit will bring plenty to the Royals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/18416394/Kingston-Shaw" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/18416394/Kingston-Shaw</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 – Trintin Thomas, OC/DL, 6'0, 290 – 3.956 GPA. </strong>A versatile talent that can play on either side of the ball – and fits perfectly with the other elite big men this program has.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/17735834/Trintin-Thomas" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/17735834/Trintin-Thomas</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Statewide Coverage Daily.</strong> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/florida/"><strong>https://prepredzone.com/florida/</strong></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>You Can Contact Larry Blustein with prospect or team information at:</strong> Floridakids1@aol.com.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>COACHES, PLAYERS: Do You Have A Subscription? Contact us for a savings code so you can see what everyone has been talking about!</strong> Floridakids1@aol.com.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->