- October 19, 2022
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ODA junior running back Allen Clark carries Sarasota Christian defenders down the field for a big gain.
Photo by Ryan KohnODA junior tight end Winston Crisci (6) turns upfield after catching a pass.
Photo by Ryan KohnODA junior running back Allen Clark tosses a pass to senior receiver/defensive back Carson Fisher in the end zone against Sarasota Christian.
Photo by Ryan KohnODA senior Carson Fisher (13) catches a pass from junior running back Allen Clark in the end zone for a touchdown despite a tackle attempt from Sarasota Christian sophomore Wyatt Campbell (21).
Photo by Ryan KohnSarasota Christian junior receiver Justin Brock turns upfield against ODA.
Photo by Ryan KohnODA junior tight end Winston Crisci secures a catch against Sarasota Christian.
Photo by Ryan KohnODA sophomore Nathan Crews (18) stares down Sarasota Christian junior Travis Miller (12) on a kick return.
Photo by Ryan KohnSarasota Christian's Justin Brock gets tackled by ODA senior Thomas Perez.
Photo by Ryan KohnSarasota Christian junior quarterback Ben Milliken gets off a pass while being hit by ODA senior Chase Mcinerney.
Photo by Ryan KohnSarasota Christian senior kicker Isaiah Ledford makes a 27-yard field goal attempt against ODA.
Photo by Ryan KohnSarasota Christian quarterback Ben Milliken fires a pass against ODA. Milliken threw four touchdowns in the game.
Photo by Ryan KohnSarasota Christian's Ben Milliken and Justin Brock celebrate after a Brock touchdown.
Photo by Ryan KohnODA senior Frankie Clark celebrates after ODA recovered a Sarasota Christian fumble late in the game.
Photo by Ryan KohnSarasota Christian School had all the momentum, until it didn't.
The Blazers, trailing The Out-of-Door Academy 36-31 in the fourth quarter Friday night, stopped the Thunder on a four-yard fourth down attempt from ODA's 37 yard line. The Blazers sideline lit up like fireworks following the stop. Sarasota Christian's offense got right to work and marched into the red zone thanks to a dominant passing game led by junior quarterback Ben Milliken. It appeared as though Sarasota Christian, in its first year of 11-on-11 football, was on the verge of upsetting a defending Sunshine State Athletic Association state champion.
One play doused the Blazers' flames of hope.
Facing a third down and goal with 3:24 to go, Milliken received a shotgun snap and prepared to roll to his right but looked downfield before securing the ball. Milliken dropped the snap and the ODA defense recovered. The Thunder would run out the remaining time to secure the 36-31 win.
Though heartbreaking for Sarasota Christian (3-3), the game served as a good challenge for both programs as they seek a playoff run. The Blazers moved to the 11-on-11 ranks after playing two seasons of 8-on-8 football. The biggest difference in those levels comes in the trenches, and it showed against ODA. While the Thunder have big bodies and prefer to run the football, the Blazers' offense features air raid-style passing and tempo, things they perfected while playing 8-on-8. Blazers Head Coach Jacob Spenn said he was disappointed in Friday night's result but proud of the way his team performed overall, particularly his offense and the way the passing attack operated.
"I thought we had that one won, to be honest," Spenn said. "But that's the way it goes.
"When people asked me (before the season), I said we were going to be competitive in every game. And I think this counts as competitive."
For ODA (5-0), the game was the first time the Thunder pass defense has been put to the test in 2024. There were positives and negatives in the unit's performance, ODA Head Coach Rob Hollway said; the Thunder picked off Milliken twice and had another interception called back on a penalty, but ODA also allowed Milliken to throw for four touchdowns.
"I feel like they neutralized our big defensive line with quick throws," Hollway said. "They have a good scheme. They're a tough team. This was as good a test as we are going to have against an air raid team. Hopefully we learn from this and grow and get better."
On offense, the Thunder rolled. ODA put the ball in the hands of star junior running back Allen Clark over and over, and he responded, running for 236 yards and three touchdowns. He also threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to senior Carson Fisher in the first quarter. Junior fullback Aengus Doody had ODA's other touchdown, a goal line run.
For the Blazers, two of Milliken's touchdown passes went to junior Travis Miller, one went to junior Colton Loftus and one went to junior Justin Brock.
ODA will next hit the road to play Santa Fe Catholic (2-3) at 7 p.m. Sept. 27, while Sarasota Christian will have a bye Sept. 27 before going to Gateway Charter (0-6) at 7 p.m. Oct. 4.
