Clearwater Academy
At a glance
Coach: Jesse Chinchar, 10th season
Class: Sunshine State Independent Association (independent)
Last season: 10-2
Key players: DL Gedeon Bedada, Sr.; QB Evans Chuba, Jr.;SB/WR Jack Gutek, Sr.; QB Danny McMullen, Sr.; OL Nikola Milovac, Sr.; DL Sean Sevillano, Jr.; OL Lucas Simmons, Sr.; LB Dylan Simpson, Jr.; ATH Dallas Sims, Jr.; DB Noah St-Juste, Sr.; OL Jason Zandamela, Jr.
Schedule
Aug. 26 TBD
Sept. 2 vs. Miami Palmetto, 7
Sept. 10 at Fort Dorchester (SC), 7
Sept. 16 TBD
Sept. 23 vs. Palmetto, 7:30
Sept. 30 TBD
Oct. 7 at Madison County, 7:30
Oct. 14 at Sarasota Riverview, 7:30
Oct. 21 at Lakeland, 7:30
Oct. 28 vs. Roar Prep & Vocational, 7
Nov. 4 at Venice, 7:30
Outlook
The Knights cruised to an SSIA state title last season, beating IMG White in the final. With so many international players, Clearwater Academy constantly has to make adjustments to its roster, especially since the bulk arrive during their junior or senior year. The biggest task is replacing quarterback Luca Stanzani, a veteran of the program who threw for more than 12,000 yards in a high school career that started in middle school. Evans Chuba and Danny McMullen are battling to take over as the starter. The offensive and defensive lines will both be strengths. Lucas Simmons, a four-star recruit from Sweden who recently committed to FSU, will anchor the offensive line. Gedeon Bedada and Sean Sevillano are among the headliners on the defensive front.