By Kyle Coppola
MDCA Graduate Isaiah Bryant Helps Navy Defeat Army
MOUNT DORA — Isaiah Bryant, a graduate of Mount Dora Christian Academy (MDCA), currently plays for Navy and was part of the team that won a thrilling victory over Army in their annual football showdown Saturday. The victory marked a proud moment for Bryant, who has carried the lessons learned at MDCA to the prestigious United States Naval Academy.
Before suiting up for Navy, Bryant established himself as a dynamic leader and multi-sport athlete at MDCA. He spearheaded the Bulldogs’ football team to three consecutive state championship appearances, anchored the varsity basketball team to three straight district titles, and helped lead the track and field team to district, regional, and state championships during his sophomore year.
Isaiah Bryant – Photo Credit – Army
A versatile athlete, Bryant earned first-team all-state honors as a safety, first-team recognition as a punt returner, and second-team honors as a wide receiver. He captained all three sports teams, leaving a lasting legacy at MDCA, where he also set the school record in the 400-meter dash.
Bryant’s athletic success was matched by his character and leadership off the field. As a senior, he was named the North Lake County Fellowship of Christian Athletes MVP, an award highlighting his commitment to his faith and community.
Reflecting on his time at MDCA, Bryant emphasized the deep connections and support that shaped him. “There is one word that comes to mind when I think of MDCA Athletics and the people there, and that is ‘family,’” Bryant said. “The way that everybody there is invested in your success is not something that you will experience with every school and athletics program. Resiliency and adapting to change are what I gained from MDCA, and these have aided me in being successful at the next level.”
Saturday’s win is another milestone in Bryant’s journey, and MDCA could not be prouder of its alum. With his athleticism, leadership, and unwavering work ethic, Isaiah Bryant continues to exemplify the values instilled at MDCA while excelling on one of the nation’s biggest stages.
Kyle Coppola was born in Newton, Massachusetts and received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Communications from Curry College in 2016. After traveling to Florida on a family vacation, he decided he could not get enough of the warm weather and made the move from snowy Massachusetts to central Florida 8 years ago.
For the last decade Kyle has gained valuable experience in social media content creation, marketing and sales, writing, video production, sports announcing and even broadcasting for local radio stations, such as FM 102.9 in The Villages and FM 91.5 in Massachusetts. Every year he volunteers at The Villages Charter High School as a play-by-play sports announcer for the football games as well as a public address announcer for the basketball games, including the annual Battle at The Villages Tournament.
Outside the office Kyle is a husband and father to two beautiful girls along with their cat. In his spare time he likes to spend time with his family, travel, play golf and swim. He is also a huge sports junkie and even bigger motorsports fan and loves to attend racing events when he can.
