All Saints, Geneva, Oasis look to thrive in 8-man, 6-man football
More than 20 area schools are playing high school football this fall, but not all the schools are using 11 players.
Two schools, All Saints and Oasis, are playing eight-man football and will play in the Sunshine State Athletic Conference while Geneva Classical is playing six-man football in the Florida Christian Association of Private and Parochial Schools conference.
All Saints athletic director and head coach Stuart Weiss said that the Saints will play one more year in eight-man football before returning to 11-man football. "We need to play 11-man to get to where we want to be," he said.
Here's a quick look at the three teams.
All Saints rebuilds on offense
All Saints has just one starter back on offense and seven on defense.
Dante Giles, who alternated at quarterback two years ago with Andy Paul but played at Kathleen last season, returns. With All Saints being smaller but faster than in recent years, it will incorporate the spread into the offense and run everything out of the shotgun.
"We used to be three yards and a cloud of dust and just pounded it," Weiss said. "This year, we're going to incorporate more kind of spread concepts."
Tyler Yoder is the only returning starter on offense. A slot receiver, he is expected to have a bigger role this season.
Andrew Foppe has speed and could be a big-play receiver while running backs Claudariius Bell and Dontavious Bell will also have big roles on offense.
Defensively, Reese Holmes and Magnus Darrington will lead the Saints at linebacker, and Magnus Darrington is a key player at defensive back.
Inside Info
Head Coach: Stuart Weiss.
Coaching Staff: Chad Moore (AHC/DC), Ron McEvoy (AC), Shemar Troutman (WR/DB), Anthony McEvoy (AC), Jacob Weiss (AC).
2021 Record: 6-3.
Last time in playoffs: 2021, lost to Lakeside Christian, 30-18.
Key Losses: Brock Thielen, Scott Weltlin, Parker Lopez, Zay Gaines.
Players to Watch: QB Dante Giles (Sr.), RB Claudariius Bell (5-8, 140, Fr.), LB Reece Holmes (So), WR/LB Magnus Darrington (Jr.), DB Dontavious Bell, WR Andrew Foppe (So).
2022 Schedule
(7 p.m. kickoff)
Aug. 26 — Ocala Christian
Sept. 2 — Foundation Christian
Sept. 9 — Lake Mary Prep
Sept. 16 — Oasis Christian
Sept. 23 — St. John Lutheran
Sept. 30 — Bye
Oct. 6 — Master's Academy
Oct. 14 — Donahue Catholic
Oct. 21 — Calvary Chapel
Oct. 28 — Countryside Christian
Geneva features rare depth for 6-man
Geneva Classical head coach Noah Hazelton feels like he has an advantage in both depth and experience this year.
The Knights had 15 players when fall practices began in mid-August and of those 15 that will have to play both ways, Hazelton has solid experience at key positions.
That's despite losing who he felt were his top three players from last season.
"We have a lot more depth, 15 players which for 6-man is a really good number," said Hazelton, who is entering his fourth year at Geneva. "Last year we played most of it with nine, which is not ideal at all. That's going to help us."
The Knights have a lot of returning talent at receiver and will look to get the ball to them as much as possible. Cole Tibbetts is a dual-threat at quarterback who is very capable of beating teams with his legs as he makes the transition from receiver.
Hazelton said the Knights are a small, but fast team that will look to utilize their speed to take advantage of opposing offenses. Poe Stirk will play a big role on defense with his natural athletic ability.
A lot of the Knights' success will rely on Tibbets' transition to quarterback. He will have Pascual back as the leading receiver, where he racked up 600 yards and 10 TDs last season.
Inside Info
Head Coach: Noah Hazelton (4th year).
Coaching Staff: Jared March (Defensive Coordinator).
2021 Record: 6-3 (6-man FCAPPS).
Key Losses: Hudson Sullivan (QB), Adam Hazelton (TE,DL).
Players to Watch: WR/LB Trevin Pascual (5-5, 145, Sr.); WR/DB Bennett Bayhan (5-8, 130, Fr.); QB/DB Cole Tibbetts (5'7, 140, Jr.); WR/LB Paxton Sullivan (6-0, 150, Jr.); RB/DL Gabriel Miller (5'8, 165, Jr.); TE/DE Poe Stirk (6-0, 170, So.).
Oasis looks to improve on best year
After bringing back the 8-man football program in 2019, Oasis Christian is prepared to gear up for a fourth consecutive season under this format.
Last season, Oasis Christian went 5-5 – the highest win total the program achieved since going back to the 8-man format.
Head coach Daniel Sousa is back in his eighth year as a coach, fourth as the head coach, readying to be at the helm of several returning and talented players.
Senior quarterback Gideon Kennon will be under center for Oasis. Other Oasis familiar faces will be Alex Molina at running back and CJ Goldwire, who was second on the team in rushing last season.
Kennon and Molina will also be used on defense at defensive back and linebacker, respectively. In 2021, both led the team in total tackles.
Oasis Christian
Head Coach: Daniel Sousa (Fourth year).
Coaching Staff: David Graham, Madrigal.
2021 Record: 5-5.
Last time in Playoffs: 2021, lost in regional quarterfinal.
Players to watch: QB/DB Gideon Kennon (Sr);RB/LB Alex Molina (Sr); OL/DL Brasen Rushing (Jr.); OL/DL Alex Shannon (Jr); LB/RB CJ Goldwire (So); WR/DB Nathan Valy (Fr).
2022 Schedule
Aug. 26 — At CCA (West Melbourne)
Sept. 2 — At TCAS (Sarasota)
Sept. 9 — At CLCA (Kissimmee)
Sept. 16 — At ASA
Sept. 30 — At DCHS (Ave Maria)
Oct. 7 — ECHS (Orlando)
Oct. 14 — CCHS (Gainesville)
Oct. 21 — At Canterbury (St. Petersburg)
Oct. 28 — At FCA (Valrico)
This article originally appeared on The Ledger: All Saints, Geneva, Oasis look to thrive in 8-man, 6-man football
