Jupiter Christian ends ODA football team's season, 29-26

ODA won't get a chance to defend its state title despite 253 rushing yards from Allen Clark.

By Dylan Campbell
| 9:25 a.m. November 9, 2024

ODA's Allen Clark powers to one of his four touchdown runs in the 29-26 loss to Jupiter Christian in the SSAC 5A semifinal Friday in Lakewood Ranch.

East County
Sports

Midway through the fourth quarter of Friday's Sunshine State Athletic Conference 5A semifinal against Jupiter Christian, it looked like The Out-of-Door Academy football team was headed toward its second consecutive state championship game.

Junior running back Allen Clark, who had 253 rushing yards and four touchdowns on the night, had just powered into the end zone to give the host Thunder a 26-22 lead.

But with three minutes remaining, Eagles running back Gideon Douglas broke free for an 80-yard touchdown that gave Jupiter Christian a 29-26 victory that ended the Thunder season at 8-1 and prevented them from having a chance for a second consecutive state championship.

Jupiter Christian, which led 15-14 at halftime, will play St. Joseph Academy of St. Augustine Nov. 16 for the state title.

Clark set ODA's single-season rushing record with 1,533 yards. He finished the season with 23 touchdowns.

Clark routinely took direct snaps against Jupiter Christian.

“When the game’s on the line, you’ve got to put your best players in a position to win and he’s one of our best players,” said ODA Head Coach Rob Hollway.