Academy at the Lakes

At a glance

Coach: Jesus Soler, first season

Class: Sunshine State Athletic Conference (Independent/eight-man)

Last season: 1-8

Key players: DT/OL Triston Dunlap, Sr.; LB/RB CJ Fernandez, So.; WR Carter Kienast, Sr.; DB/LB Riley McGoldrick, So.

Schedule

Aug. 26 vs. St. John Lutheran, 7

Sept. 9 at Duval, 4:30

Sept. 16 vs. Canterbury, 7

Sept. 23 vs. Real Life, 7

Sept. 30 at Sarasota Christian, TBD

Oct. 14 vs. Shorecrest, 7

Oct. 28 at Lakeside Christian, TBD

Outlook

Jesus Soler, who was the quarterbacks coach during Academy at the Lakes’ two state championship seasons (2017-18) in eight-man football, was named the head coach in March. Soler takes over for Shawn Brown, who stepped down after seven seasons to focus on his head coaching duties in boys basketball. In his debut season, Soler inherits a program that went 1-8 and has 20 players, 10 of whom have never played football before. Despite those obstacles, there should be improvement this year considering Soler did have a full offseason and summer conditioning program.