- June 12, 2025
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When Robert Hollway was hired to lead the Out-of-Door Academy football team in March of 2022, he was given a program in dire need of some hope.
The Thunder were coming off an 0-5 season in which the players opted out of playing the final few games.
Winston Crisci, now a rising senior with the team, figured he would have to transfer if he wanted to keep playing. Then, Hollway was hired.
“When I was in eighth grade, I think we had 18 kids on the roster so we only played four games that year,” he said. “We almost didn’t have a team, so I was like, ‘Where am I going to transfer to, because I want to play football in high school.’
“I remember him coming in for a meeting, and what he said changed everything. We played our first game under him and won 50-0. The whole time I was on the field, I was trying to see if I was awake or not because I couldn’t believe it. I hadn’t won a game since sixth grade. It was an unreal feeling.”
Even with that encouraging start, Hollway knew he needed more players. That led to him scouring the campus for athletes.
He started with ODA’s state championship baseball team. By now, he said he’s asked every athletic-looking student to come play.
Three years into Hollway’s time at ODA, the Thunder are thriving.
ODA has won a Sunshine State Athletic Association state championship (2023), is sending three graduating seniors off to play college football and there’s hope that the best is still yet to come.
Several key players from last year’s 8-1 team are returning for their senior seasons with high expectations.
Much of that potential success hinges on running back/linebacker Allen Clark.
The 6-foot, 210-pound Clark carried the ball 214 times for 1,524 yards and 22 touchdowns while also contributing 29 tackles (five for loss), two pass deflections and a forced fumble.
Aside from Clark, however, there aren’t many players returning with significant offensive stats.
Senior quarterback Josey Rubinstein and senior Carson Fisher, the team’s top receiver, are graduating.
However, that’s given Hollway and offensive coordinator Nate Strawderman the chance to reinvent the offense.
“We’re going to throw the ball this year,” Hollway said. “I think you’re going to see a new team, a more balanced team that spreads the ball out more. With Allen (Clark), we anticipate facing loaded boxes, which gives us the opportunity to throw the ball more.”
The Thunder will be turning to some of the youngest signal callers in varsity football to revamp their passing attack.
Bodie Strawn, a rising eighth grader, is a pro-style quarterback who transferred from IMG Academy last year and threw a touchdown pass, and Christian Garzia, a rising ninth grader, is someone who Hollway described as an athletic quarterback.
While the Thunder are excited for new possibilities on offense, the defense is what gives them assurance in this upcoming season.
ODA allowed 12.1 points a game last season — the lowest average in program history — and is returning several defensive playmakers.
Though each of its college-bound seniors, Frankie Clark, Carson Fisher and Marvin Palominos, contributed on defense, many seasoned seniors are back.
Crisci, last year’s sack leader (four), linebackers Heath DeRusso and Clark and defensive back Dylan Walker are expected to be senior leaders on the defense.
Some up-and-coming players, such as rising-junior Devin Erdei (team-high 49 tackles and two interceptions), rising-sophomore linebacker Beau Tack, and rising-sophomore cornerback Kingston Kokoefer have Hollway optimistic that ODA is reloading rather than rebuilding.
ODA will see where it stands this spring when it faces Master’s Academy at 7 p.m. May 15 at home.
“I think this is probably the greatest team we’ve had since I’ve been here, and maybe in team history, so I’m excited to see what we can accomplish,” Crisci said. “We have a lot of dominant seniors. A lot of guys who work really well together and have played for the same coach for four years. I think this is the year it all comes together.”
