The Umatilla High School football season has come to a close, but for the Bulldogs, this year was about more than just wins and losses. It was about belief, transformation and pride restored in a small Florida town that loves its football.

The Bulldogs finished an unforgettable campaign at 11-1, falling 45-36 in the SSAA Atlantic Division semifinals against West Nassau. The loss ended a dream run, but it hardly dimmed what the team accomplished.

Just a few seasons ago, Umatilla was a program known as a punching bag for many local teams averaging only two wins per season. 

“This season has been unbelievable,” Umatilla Athletic Director Deta Brunson says. “We have not gone undefeated in the regular season since 1956. These young men have been working so hard these past couple years and their hard work has shown. I am super proud of the dedication each player has shown and all the time Coach Samuels and his staff have put into preparing them.”

Now, under head coach Eric Samuels, the Bulldogs have become one of the Sunshine State’s toughest defensive units and most inspiring stories.

For Coach Samuels, the turnaround is personal. As a Umatilla senior, he endured a winless 0-10 season. Over four years, his high school teams managed just 10 total victories.

But instead of letting those difficult nights define him, Coach Samuels used them as fuel. He went on to play four seasons in the SEC at Vanderbilt University and later in the Canadian Football League with the Edmonton Eskimos.

Now, back home as Umatilla’s head coach, he’s changing the program’s narrative.

“Coming back here, it’s always been a dream of mine to help build something special where it all started for me,” he says. “We’re changing the culture, emphasizing hard work, discipline and what it truly takes to win.”

Senior quarterback Ray Jenkins capped his final season in spectacular fashion, throwing for 1,191 yards and 36 touchdowns, while adding 3 rushing scores and 49 rushing yards, topping 2,000 total yards on the year.

Junior wide receiver Bryce Norflee emerged as Jenkins’ top target, racking up 904 receiving yards, 18 touchdown catches, and 7 rushing touchdowns for 25 total scores. Junior John Brake and senior Tyler Pounders added key receiving depth, while sophomore running back Micah Lambert provided a glimpse of the program’s bright future.

Senior Simon Hawkins anchored the rushing attack with 678 yards and 5 touchdowns, averaging 7.9 yards per carry.

On defense, Umatilla was dominant. Before the semifinal loss, the Bulldogs had allowed only 64 points all season, finishing the year giving up just 109 total points, one of the lowest defensive totals in the state.

Junior linebacker Isaiah Brown led the defense with 113 tackles, including 23 for loss, and 3 fumble recoveries. Senior Kellen Hatcher added 33 tackles for loss, 7 sacks, and 17 quarterback hurries, plus a forced and recovered fumble.

Sophomore linebacker Zion Reed made a name for himself with 74 tackles and 3 interceptions, while junior Grant Kirkland collected 69 tackles and a team-high 4 fumble recoveries. Ray and Bryce each grabbed 5 interceptions from their spots in the secondary.

Umatilla is a close-knit community where Friday nights light up the town.  

“The community has rallied behind the UHS football team and really stood behind us cheering them on traveling to all the away games,” Deta says. “It means a great deal to UHS as a school and our small community. Coach Samuels and his staff will continue to work hard to make Umatilla football a successful team!”

While the Bulldogs’ run has ended, the future is bright. The foundation is in place. This is a team built on discipline and belief that winning football is here to stay.