Observer Preps 2017 Football Preview: CFCA Eagles

New head coach Jeremy Campbell is settling in at the Eagles' east Ocoee campus and has high hopes for his young roster.

By Steven Ryzewski
| 11:10 a.m. August 24, 2017

Sports

Coach: Jeremy Campbell (first year)

2016 record: 4-6

SSAC Division (2016 champ): Coastal League - Central Florida Division (Windermere Prep)

Players to watch: Caleb Brenyo, senior (quarterback); Donald Saunders, sophomore (wide receiver/defensive back); Macena Gay, junior (running back/defensive back)

Outlook: There’s no getting around the fact that the Eagles are young and lack roster depth, but Campbell — a former Clemson Tiger during his playing days — has been encouraged by the enthusiasm and eagerness of his young squad.

Campbell, hired this spring from Northside Christian in St. Petersburg, had to commute to and from east Ocoee each day, hindering his ability to build a rapport with his players and install his new system. This fall, though, he has moved to the West Orange area and also is on campus during class hours — something he says has helped build a rapport between him and his athletes.

Campbell’s roster skews young and heavy on sophomores. Although that means the team will be battling inexperience early in the season, Campbell said having a young core is exciting and that his players seem eager to learn and get better.

“They’re asking questions, and I like that,” Campbell said.

Fun fact: Despite being on their fifth coach in as many seasons, the CFCA Eagles have been remarkably resilient, amassing a 19-13 record over the past three seasons.

Awesome alumni: Judah Stone (c/o 2016) will be a sophomore running back at Ave Maria University this fall. As a freshman, he was the team’s No. 2 rusher and also played defense.