Football Preview: The Out-of-Door Academy

After dropping down to Class 2A-District 5, The Out-of-Door Academy football team looks for a turnaround season.

By Jen Blanco
| 6:00 a.m. August 5, 2015

Najee Rhodes was The Out-of-Door Academy's starting running back last season.

East County
Sports

It’s been an offseason of change for The Out-of-Door Academy football team, but it’s one the Thunder is learning to embrace.

After finishing last season 2-8 and spending the summer in the weight room, the Thunder are nearing the end of their first week of regular season practice under the guidance of first-year head coach Ken Sommers.

Sommers was named ODA’s new coach five weeks before the start of the season, replacing former coach Brett Timmons, who also served as the school’s athletic director, after Timmons and ODA agreed to a mutual parting of ways. Timmons had been ODA’s only coach since the Thunder played its first season of football in 2006.

But Sommers is no stranger to the team, having been with the program for the past seven years. Sommers served as an assistant coach under Timmons, working with the offensive line, while also coaching the Thunder’s middle school team.

Sommers’ familiarity with the players and the program has helped aid in the transition.

“We like coach Sommers,” running back Jason Fineberg says. “We’re (glad) he’s our coach because we know who he is. He’s been in the organization for awhile.”

But working with a predominately new coaching staff isn’t the only adjustment the Thunder has had to make this season.

After spending the past two seasons in Class 3A-District 6, alongside rival Cardinal Mooney, ODA will be moving down to Class 2A-District 5 this season. The change will pit ODA against St. area foes Stephen’s and Bradenton Christian, along with Cambridge Christian and Carrollwood Day in Tampa.

The change might just be the fresh start ODA has been looking for, as it attempts to climb back into district prominence.

ODA returners the majority of its starters both on offense and defense, including playmakers Joey Runge, Trenton Radigan, Najee Rhodes and Fineberg, who missed the entire 2014 season with a torn tendon in his thumb.

The Thunder also are stronger in size and experience on both sides of the ball; and with the majority of its roster now juniors and seniors, ODA could be headed for a breakout season.

This week, the Observer takes an in depth look at ODA and its goals for the upcoming season in its first football preview of 2015.

You’ll hear Sommers’ expectations for the season and learn why Fineberg hasn’t played a full season of football since the eighth grade while meeting the players that will be called upon to lead the Thunder this season.

Over the next three weeks, we’ll be going inside the huddle with seven area football teams, as they prepare for the start of the regular season, which officially kicks off Aug. 28.

And with that, I welcome you to the 2015 season.

SCHEDULE: Class 2A-District 5

Aug. 28 vs. Shorecrest Prep
Sept. 4 at Admiral Farragut
Sept. 11 vs. St. John Neumann
Sept. 18 at Cambridge Christian (7:30 p.m.)*
Sept. 25 BYE
Oct. 2 vs. Bradenton Christian*
Oct. 9 vs. St. Petersburg Catholic
Oct. 16 vs. Carrollwood Day*
Oct. 23 at St. Stephen’s*
Oct. 30 at Seffner Christian (7:30 p.m.)*
Nov. 5 vs. Canterbury

*Denotes district game
**All games start at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Jason Fineberg, junior, running back
Todd Humphrey, senior, lineman
Christian McCarthy, junior, lineman
Gus Mahler, sophomore, quarterback
Joey Runge, junior, wide receiver
Owen Han, senior, linebacker and fullback
Trenton Radigan, senior, wide receiver

UNDER THE HEADSET

Ken Sommers was named The Out-of-Door Academy's new head coach five weeks before the start of the season.

Ken Sommers, first year

How do you think your involvement with the program over the past seven years will help you in your first head coaching position?
“I was on the coaching staff in 2009 when we won a regional championship, so I’ve seen what a winner looks like. I’ve coached a lot of these guys, which has helped with communication. There was maybe some concern that ‘Oh, he’s just a middle school coach,’ but I played in college and I’ve been a part of this program.”

What do you hope to bring to this team?
“I told the guys, if I do something it’s not be different from Brett (Timmons). I just have to be me and implement my own culture, which is focused on unity and putting the team first. I want us to be disciplined, conditioned and execute every play with spirit. I want them to have fun. It’s not a job. I want to instill enthusiasm and a 'let’s go out and attack and play football' (mentality)."

How has the team adjusted to the recent coaching change?
“It’s been a tough transition. Brett is the grandfather of this program. He built this team from nothing to a regional championship contender. Now it’s up to me to take that tradition and those schemes and put my own unique stamp on it.”

What are your expectations for this team?
“We’ve been a very young team, and as a result we’ve struggled on the field. But it’s not about Brett or me. As coaches, we’ve provided them with the tools to have a breakthrough year. Now it’s up to them to take ownership and really (utilize) everything they’ve been (taught). I’m looking for us to have a breakthrough year and really surprise people.

"We have almost everyone returning, and they’ve worked hard in the offseason. I would match our skill guys up against anyone. My goals are for us to play with spirit; play to the best of our abilities; and don’t think beyond the next play. I think if we can do that and stack up plays then we’re going to have great results.”

What are your thoughts on the upcoming district season?
“We had success at the (Class) 2A level. I like 2A. I think the schools in 2A have the same athletic culture that we do at ODA ... (Class) 3A was not a good fit. I think having everything be new (again) will give the players a fresh mindset."