August 1, 2024
South Lake High School Football: A New Era Begins with High Hopes and Fresh Talent
By Kyle Coppola
South Lake High School Football: A New Era Begins with High Hopes and Fresh Talent
As the 2024 high school football season is almost upon us, South Lake High School is excited about the upcoming year. This season brings with it renewed optimism and determination. The Eagles, who had struggled through a challenging 2-win campaign in 2023, are poised for a comeback under the leadership of second-year coach Brad Lord. With an intense off-season behind them, the Eagles are officially ready to soar higher than ever before.
The summer has been a whirlwind of activity for South Lake. The team embarked on an ambitious 8-day college bus tour, a journey that not only exposed them to various playing styles and strategies but also forged a stronger bond among the players. Alongside the tour, new additions to the coaching staff had made their mark, pushing the athletes hard in the weight room, refining their agility, and competing in the grueling Florida High School 7-on-7 tournaments. The collective effort was clear: The Eagles are determined to challenge for the 2024 district title.
“We have gotten bigger, stronger, and faster, and our football IQs have increased,” Coach Lord declared confidently. “If we tackle, block, execute, and take care of the ball, we will be a formidable opponent.”
The Eagles are set to compete in a tough district featuring rivals like Lake Minneola, Horizon, Davenport, and Ocala Forest. Despite the fierce competition, the team’s preparation has given them a renewed sense of confidence.
Returning to the field are some standout players who are expected to be game-changers. Marcel Walker, known for his explosive kickoff returns, led all of Class 4S with an average of over 50 yards per return last season. This year, he will once again be a key asset, not only on special teams but also as a versatile weapon on offense.
Tre Kelly, now a sophomore quarterback, has already made a significant impact as a freshman, throwing for 660 yards and 4 touchdowns, while rushing for an additional 294 yards and 4 touchdowns. His ability to manage the game with only 2 interceptions in 10 games last season suggested that he was a rising star in the making. Kelly will be supported by an experienced offensive line, including senior Connor Plummer, who stands out at 6’7″ and 250 lbs. Plummer’s impressive summer, marked by multiple college offers.
On the defensive side, the Eagles have a host of experienced players. Johens Misere, Jesse Barker, Kaden Magloire, Malik Holman, and Rome McKinnond are set to anchor a formidable defense. The addition of Moses Ward, a newcomer with exceptional speed and football IQ, will further assist the defense. The defensive front is also complemented by experienced linebackers Tyson Williams, Kaden Magloire, and Malik Holman, all of whom were leading tacklers last season.
Exciting new talent is also on the horizon. WR Keydrick Powell and WR Izaiah Henderson are expected to break out this season, with Henderson recently catching the eye of Webber International. Freshmen like Brian Bedingfield and Julian White have already impressed during the summer workouts.
Coach Lord’s belief in this program’s potential has been terrific. Not only does he have the belief in his players but those players believe in him. It’s awesome to see excitment with this South Lake High School football program once more. Don’t forget this team went 0-10 in 2022. There has been a lot of work put in to make positive strides. I am so excited for these kids and the community. Fly Eagles Fly!
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.
