Observer Preps 2017 Football Preview: Ocoee Knights

Coach: Jason Boltus (first year)

2016 record/notes: 7-4; first playoff appearance and district title in program history

District (2016 champ): 7A-4 (Ocoee)

Players to watch: Garrett Duffina, senior (defensive back/wide receiver); Matt Hogan, junior (center); Kendall Bohler, junior (defensive back); Jeremiah Fails, junior (slotback/defensive back); Monroe Nelson, senior (defensive end); Zach Tuckfield, senior (defensive end)

Outlook: There’s a ton of change in the air at Ocoee — from a new head coach to a lot of new faces in new roles — but that doesn’t mean the Knights are making any excuses or lowering expectations. Ocoee won its first district title last fall, and despite all the turnover, the Knights won both their spring game and their Kickoff Classic game. That said, discipline, consistency on defense and cutting down on unforced turnovers should help Ocoee once again contend in a district that is as wide-open as ever. 

Fun fact: Ocoee head coach Jason Boltus won an arena league championship with the Jacksonville Sharks this summer.

Awesome alumni: Dorian Jones, who graduated last spring, will be a freshman defensive back this fall at Campbell University in North Carolina.

Schedule

All games at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted.

Aug. 25 — vs. Apopka

Sept. 1 — at Olympia

Sept. 8 — vs. Boone

Sept. 15 — at Edgewater*

Sept. 22 — vs. East Ridge*

Sept. 29 — vs. Hagerty*

Oct. 6 — vs. West Port*, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 13 — at Lake Howell*

Oct. 27 — at Lake Minneola*

Nov. 3 — vs. West Orange

* Denotes district opponent