ODA football holds off Sarasota Christian to move to 5-0

Sarasota Christian School had all the momentum, until it didn't. 

The Blazers, trailing The Out-of-Door Academy 36-31 in the fourth quarter Friday night, stopped the Thunder on a four-yard fourth down attempt from ODA's 37 yard line. The Blazers sideline lit up like fireworks following the stop. Sarasota Christian's offense got right to work and marched into the red zone thanks to a dominant passing game led by junior quarterback Ben Milliken. It appeared as though Sarasota Christian, in its first year of 11-on-11 football, was on the verge of upsetting a defending Sunshine State Athletic Association state champion. 

One play doused the Blazers' flames of hope. 

Facing a third down and goal with 3:24 to go, Milliken received a shotgun snap and prepared to roll to his right but looked downfield before securing the ball. Milliken dropped the snap and the ODA defense recovered. The Thunder would run out the remaining time to secure the 36-31 win. 

Though heartbreaking for Sarasota Christian (3-3), the game served as a good challenge for both programs as they seek a playoff run. The Blazers moved to the 11-on-11 ranks after playing two seasons of 8-on-8 football. The biggest difference in those levels comes in the trenches, and it showed against ODA. While the Thunder have big bodies and prefer to run the football, the Blazers' offense features air raid-style passing and tempo, things they perfected while playing 8-on-8. Blazers Head Coach Jacob Spenn said he was disappointed in Friday night's result but proud of the way his team performed overall, particularly his offense and the way the passing attack operated. 

"I thought we had that one won, to be honest," Spenn said. "But that's the way it goes.

"When people asked me (before the season), I said we were going to be competitive in every game. And I think this counts as competitive."

For ODA (5-0), the game was the first time the Thunder pass defense has been put to the test in 2024. There were positives and negatives in the unit's performance, ODA Head Coach Rob Hollway said; the Thunder picked off Milliken twice and had another interception called back on a penalty, but ODA also allowed Milliken to throw for four touchdowns. 

"I feel like they neutralized our big defensive line with quick throws," Hollway said. "They have a good scheme. They're a tough team. This was as good a test as we are going to have against an air raid team. Hopefully we learn from this and grow and get better." 

On offense, the Thunder rolled. ODA put the ball in the hands of star junior running back Allen Clark over and over, and he responded, running for 236 yards and three touchdowns. He also threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to senior Carson Fisher in the first quarter. Junior fullback Aengus Doody had ODA's other touchdown, a goal line run. 

For the Blazers, two of Milliken's touchdown passes went to junior Travis Miller, one went to junior Colton Loftus and one went to junior Justin Brock. 

ODA will next hit the road to play Santa Fe Catholic (2-3) at 7 p.m. Sept. 27, while Sarasota Christian will have a bye Sept. 27 before going to Gateway Charter (0-6) at 7 p.m. Oct. 4.