Coach Brad Lord, South Lake High School
The Eagles look to get some much-needed work this spring to help them contend for the 6A Region 2 District 6 title. South Lake has many returning starters on both sides of the ball. They have worked hard so far this off-season to try and become a football program to be reckoned with for the 2024 season. “We must outwork our opponents in the classroom, in the community, in the weight room, and on the practice and game fields. When we do that South Lake will be a force to be reckoned with”, states second-year Head Coach Brad Lord.
The Eagles play their spring game on Friday, May 24th at Foundation Academy at 7 pm in Winter Garden. A team that Lord is very familiar with as he was the Lion’s head coach for 16 years and had much success going deep into the playoffs regularly, and placing many players into college football programs headed up by All-American Danny Stutsman who plays at the University of Oklahoma and Bryan Thomas JR who plays at the University of South Carolina. “ Foundation Academy will be ready for us. Coach Andre Walker and Denzel Irvin are two of the area’s best coaches and they will have their players ready. This game will be a good look on where we are as a football team. We want to get a look at a lot of players. That is what spring practice is all about. Embracing the process”.
Below are the Eagles returning starters on both sides of the ball. Marcel Walker led all 4S last season in kickoff returns averaging over 50 yards a return. Tre Kelly as Freshman QB threw for 660 yards and 4TDS and rushed for 294 yards and 4 rushing TDS. Kelly only threw 2 interceptions in 10 games.
Eagles Returning Offensive Starters Eagle Returning Defensive Starters
Tre Kelly – QB – 2027 Johens Misere- DL-2025
Connor Plummer- OL -2025 Jesse Barker- DL-2026
Blayton Rush- OL – 2026 Anthony Johnson – DL-2027
Joseph Robinson- WR -2027 Murphy Connelly – DL-2026
Marcel Walker- WR/ Athlete-2025 Kaden Magloire-LB/SS-2025
Rome Mckinnond- Athlete -2027 Tyson Williams- LB-2026
Aidan Neal – TE -2025 Malik Holman- LB-2026
Izaiah Henderson- WR -2025 Rome McKinnond- DB-2026
Malik Holman-RB/LB Tyger Darden- CB/WR-2026
Look for newcomers Keydrick Powell, Jackson Warren- WR, Elias Roche- Chris Mckenna WR, Dylan Prinzel- OL, and Christian Taylor- OL to make immediate impacts on the offensive side of the ball along with Malik Holman and Kaden Magloire who will be sharing some time at running back. Tre Kelly returns at quarterback and Izaiah Henderson, Joseph Robinson, and Marcel Walker all return with a lot of receiving experience. The Eagles are looking for rising sophomores Brandon Dipaolo- DL, and Quoy Nelson- to give the Eagles big-time depth in the defensive line joining veterans Jesse Barker JR, Murphy Connelly, Anthony Johnson, and JR Misere. Sophomores Rome McKinnond and Jayson Vasquez along with junior Tyger Darden are all explosive athletes that will be used on both sides of the ball along with Magloire and Holman. Three year starter Connor Plummer anchors the offensive line and has depth and size. The Kicking game is solid with Kicker Chris Mckenna and Punter Zaide Nance.
“Spring practice is about work. Players and coaches need to embrace the process. Football in Florida is year-round and like Allen Iverson once said” When you’re not working someone else is’.
