- March 14, 2025
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ODA football takes the field for its Class 4A title game against LPCA.
Photo by Ryan KohnODA sophomore running back Allen Clark evades a tackle attempt from LPCA senior Jayden Bonhomme (1) on the way to the end zone.
Photo by Ryan KohnODA senior Jack Meyers (4) stiff arms LPCA senior Cohagen Mobley (8) on a first-quarter run. Meyers would later add a 13-yard touchdown run.
Photo by Ryan KohnODA senior John Moschella returns a kickoff against LPCA.
Photo by Ryan KohnODA senior Robert Crisci (89) tackles LPCA freshman Jayden Crenshaw (24) in the backfield for a loss.
Photo by Ryan KohnODA kick returners John Moschella (3) and Frankie Clark (1) get their signals crossed on a return, juggling the catch. Clark would ultimately catch the ball.
Photo by Ryan KohnODA sophomore Heath DeRusso (9) celebrates with teammates after recovering an LPCA fumble.
Photo by Ryan KohnODA sophomore running back Allen Clark (17) breaks through the LPCA defense for a big gain. Clark had three touchdown runs against the Stingrays.
Photo by Ryan KohnThe ODA bleachers were filled to the brim for its football team's Class 4A championship game.
Photo by Ryan KohnODA junior Frankie Clark (1) puts a big hit on LPCA freshman Jayden Crenshaw, causing a pass to fall incomplete.
Photo by Ryan KohnODA junior defensive back Frankie Clark celebrates after a big hit against LPCA.
Photo by Ryan KohnODA senior Robert Crisci celebrates a sack of LPCA quarterback Chase Moore.
Photo by Ryan KohnODA senior Chase Taraska shows off the ball after coming up with an interception against LPCA.
Photo by Ryan KohnODA linebacker Heath DeRusso (8), defensive lineman Thomas Perez (81) and safety Jack Taraska (20) come together after the ODA defense forced LPCA into a safety, as signaled by DeRusso and Taraska.
Photo by Ryan KohnODA junior Marvin Palominos points to his ring finger after the Thunder's SSAA Class 4A championship win over LPCA on Nov. 10. The Thunder ordered special championship rings following the win.
Photo by Ryan KohnODA junior Frankie Clark sprints in celebration following the Thunder's win over LPCA.
Photo by Ryan KohnODA Head Coach Rob Hollway turns his hat around after leading ODA to a win in the SSAA Class 4A championship game. Hollway is in year two with the Thunder.
Photo by Ryan KohnThe Thunder football team celebrates as students rush the field after ODA's SSAA Class 4A championship win.
Photo by Ryan KohnThe Thunder football team beat LPCA 33-14 on Nov. 10 to win the SSAA Class 4A championship.
Photo by Ryan KohnAt the end of a season of ups and downs, The Out-of-Door Academy football team (6-5) ended things on a high note Nov. 10 — and took home some hardware.
The Thunder used its signature running game and a strong defensive effort to roll to a 33-14 win over Lighthouse Private Christian Academy (4-6) at home, capturing the Sunshine State Athletic Association Class 4A championship.
ODA found points on its opening possession. After LPCA attempted an onside kick, which ODA recovered, the Thunder marched down the field. The drive was capped with a 25-yard touchdown run by sophomore Allen Clark. The rest of the game followed suit: Clark would add two more touchdowns of one and 32 yards respectively, and senior running back/safety Jack Meyers would add a 13-yard touchdown run. ODA would go for two-point conversion after three of their four touchdowns, succeeding each time, and would add two points on an LPCA safety in the fourth quarter.
The defense did its part as well. Other than a 96-yard LPCA touchdown pass from sophomore quarterback Braydon Jackson to junior receiver Henry Johnson, the Thunder held the Stingrays in check; LPCA's other touchdown came after ODA attempted an onside kick, shortening the field. Meyers and senior linebacker Chase Taraska each had an interception, while sophomore linebacker Heath DeRusso recovered an LPCA fumble.
"We have been saying all year, it's not how you start, it's how you finish," ODA Head Coach Rob Hollway said. "It says a lot about the character of this team that it never quit. I'm so proud of this team and happy for our community. I'm just so happy to be at ODA."
ODA finished the regular season 3-5 after injuries to Clark and other key pieces tested the team's depth. The injuries hit the offense particularly hard, and ODA was held to single-digit points in four of the eight games. Clark said it was difficult to watch from the sidelines as the team struggled. When he returned to action in time for the team's playoff run, everything changed.
After the title win, thinking back on the path to get there, Clark could only shake his head.
"This all feels amazing," Clark said. "The coaches told me that if I stuck to the game plan and ran hard, we'd win. And we did."
The title win comes in ODA's second year under Hollway. Prior to his arrival, ODA had gone winless in two consecutive regular seasons. Senior linebacker Charlie Tack, a team captain, was there for it all. Tack said going from those winless seasons to an SSAA Class 4A championship is a journey he's glad he took.
"A lot of people quit," Tack said, speaking of those winless seasons. "Some people stayed. I'm one of them. There were a lot of ups and downs, but I knew we'd get here eventually. It feels great."
