Mount Dora Christian looks to surpass Master’s as SSAA king | Independents

Published On: August 25, 2025

There might be a new king at the top of the Sunshine State Athletic Association this season after The Master’s Academy, the two-time state champion, was destroyed.

Garrett Kruczek, the head coach of TMA, brought a number of notable players, including quarterback Jackson Stecher, with him when he took over as head coach at Lake Brantley. Star running back O Shea Faison, who is currently at Lake Mary, was among the others that left.

Mount Dora Christian Academy would be among the next teams to be the front-runners for the title.

“Not so fast,” says Kolby Tackett, MDCA coach entering his sixth season. Last season, the Bulldogs finished 9-3, losing twice to Christ’s Church Academy in Jacksonville and their archrival TMA.

Tackett remarked, “I’m not sure if we would be the favorite.” I enjoy our group. There aren’t really any mega stars, in my opinion. However, there are many excellent football players who follow the rules. There are no divas in this enjoyable group.

The fact that we haven’t lost a child to transfer since I returned makes me the happiest.

This is Tackett’s second successful term at MDCA. After leaving to coach at Oviedo in 2019, he spent two seasons as head coach at Middle Tennessee Christian School before coming back to Mount Dora.

The accuracy of MDCA’s single-wing offense is crucial. Ben Glass, a standout junior offensive guard, will lead the way while seniors Blake Banks and Nate Abbott, along with sophomore Isaac Farling, alternate in the fullback-quarterback position.

With Roberto Castillo II, a Seminole transfer, anchoring at middle linebacker, Tackett is also thrilled about the defense. As one of the best safeties in the region, Banks also plays defense.

Tackett remarked, “I tell them every day that we are not good enough to talk about the future.” For example, you’re going to move from 0 to 10 if you guys believe you can begin planning for November at this time. Today, we must do really well. We are unable to anticipate tomorrow. There is a window, and I believe the kids are thrilled, but we also lost a lot of talented players from the previous season, so we’ll see how we compare.

After two seasons of playing 8-man football, the Geneva School, led by seasoned coach Dave Langdon, enters the 11-man division. Duke Carpenter, a 6-foot-5, 256-pound sophomore defensive end, is a formidable threat for Geneva.

In 2024, Poinciana tied its record of eight victories as an independent outside of the SSAA. The Eagles acquired talented quarterback Kamari Lewis as a transfer, but they still have some depth concerns.

Ducks from Cornerstone Charter

Alan Lambert is the sixth-year coach (15–23).

2024: SSAC 7–4

Lions of Faith, Christian

Coach: Robert Mahoney (5-11 lifetime; 0-0 first year).

2024: SSAC, 4–7.

Academy Lions Foundation

Daniel DJ White is the coach (first year, 0-0).

SSAA: 5-5 in 2024.

Knights of the Geneva School

Dave Langdon is the coach (3rd year, 10-14; lifetime 103-138).

2024: SSAA 8-man football, 7–5.