ODA football survives its first big test of 2024

For the first time in 2024, The Out-of-Door Academy football team was forced to sweat. 

The defending Sunshine State Athletic Association Class 4A state champion Thunder led Sarasota Christian 36-31 in the fourth quarter on Sept. 20, but after a failed fourth-down attempt from its own 37 yard line, ODA handed the Blazers a chance to win. Sarasota Christian had moved the ball on ODA all game and did so again, getting into the red zone. 

But with 3:24 left in the game, the Blazers made a mistake: junior quarterback Ben Milliken rolled to his right without first securing a shotgun snap. The ball fell to the ground, and ODA recovered. Behind junior running back Allen Clark and others, the Thunder was able to run out the clock. 

Photo by Ryan Kohn

The win moved ODA to 5-0, but it also gave the Thunder plenty to discuss in practice. In its first four games, ODA allowed a single touchdown, a late-game score by Central Florida Christian Academy in a game that had long been decided (52-7). Even when its offense had challenges, like in a 12-2 win over Saint Stephen's Episcopal on Sept. 6, the defense was stout. 

Sarasota Christian (3-3), bringing with it a high-flying passing attack, picked apart open holes in the Thunder secondary; Milliken threw four touchdown passes and had chances at a game-winning fifth before the late fumble. The offense brings remnants of 8-on-8 football, which Sarasota Christian played for two seasons before moving to 11-on-11 football this season. 

ODA Head Coach Rob Hollway — whose win was his 20th with the Thunder since taking control of the program in 2022 — was complimentary of Milliken and the Sarasota Christian offense while acknowledging the work his team still needs to do. 

"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." 

Photo by Ryan Kohn

It was not all bad for the defense. ODA was able to intercept two Milliken passes and had a third called back on a penalty, and when the defensive line was able to get pressure, the passing game was less effective. 

For all of the struggles of its defense, the Thunder was able to remain undefeated anyway. That is largely because of its offensive running game, which was operating at full force against the Blazers. Star junior running back Allen Clark ran for 236 yards and three touchdowns while junior fullback Aengus Doody scored on a goal line run and several times helped to move the chains on third down. Left, right or up the middle, it did not seem to matter where ODA ran; when the Thunder needed yards, Clark and his offensive line teammates got them. 

Clark also threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to senior Carson Fisher in the first quarter, catching the Blazers off-guard. 

"He's a heck of a player," Hollway said of Clark. "We go as Allen goes. He's a multi-dimensional player. He plays offense and defense (at linebacker). I think he's one of the best players in the area." 

The Thunder is still looking to complement its ground game with a passing attack, but that area remains a work in progress. Against Sarasota Christian, ODA had several players attempt passes, but only Clark completed passes of note. Senior starting quarterback Josey Rubinstein was primarily used as a runner, and freshman backup quarterback Gage Fisher attempted two passes, one that was dropped and one that just missed a deep connection up the left sideline. 

There are areas to improve, but ODA has the time to improve them. Only one team on the Thunder's remaining schedule has a winning record: Seffner Christian (4-0), who ODA will play on the road Oct. 18. ODA will next play at Santa Fe Catholic (2-3) at 7 p.m. Sept. 27.