The Master’s Academy, an Oviedo private school with a blue football field that sits just off the Central Florida Greenway at the Red Bug Road exit, is talking about another Sunshine State Athletic Association title run this season.

For good reason.

The Eagles were young last year, and still are, but have gained plenty of experience. Most of TMA’s top players are back.

Freshman quarterback Jackson Stecher leads the way, and sophomore tight end/H-back Oakley Foster, sophomore running back O’Shea Faison, freshman running back D’Marion Simmons and junior receiver Davon Washington all provide the weaponry.

Stecher passed for 1,220 yards and 15 touchdowns in eight games as an eighth grader last year.

Faison had 901 yards rushing as a freshman.

“This team is as good as if not better than last year, so we should go back-to-back,” Stecher said.

Stecher lost his top two receivers to graduation, but he will likely get far more acquainted with Foster.

The big tight end can spread the field and has superb ball skills and soft hands. Coach Garrett Kruczek has extremely high hopes for freshman receiver Jacob McDonald, whom he calls “explosive.”

Kruczek, son of former UCF coach Mike Kruczek, guided the Eagles to 9-2 a year ago in his debut as a head coach. His father is TMA’s offensive coordinator.

“Playing for them is amazing,” Stecher said. “The experience they have and how they coach you is just incredible. It’s great to learn from those two.”

Foster also plays defensive end and Simmons plays linebacker.

“It was an honor last year, especially to be able to play as much as I did, as young as I was. A lot of kids don’t get that chance,” Foster said of the state title run. “It was awesome to get that chance to win and get that experience.”

Foster said there is no concern needed for keeping him at Master’s Academy in era of so many players transferring schools.

“With the team we have around us and the coaching staff, I’m getting really good development and support I need to go to the next level,” Foster said. “And the school is also very good academically, so that’s a big thing as well.”

Kruczek has beefed up the schedule to include four FHSAA schools in Lake Howell, Jacksonville Providence, Cocoa Beach and Tohopekaliga. Master’s will also travel to face Middle Tennessee Christian, which blasted the Eagles in Oviedo last year 42-13.

Lake Highland Prep, which was an undefeated Sunshine champ from 2021-22 at 21-0, is back.

Foundation Academy, which has compiled nine consecutive winning seasons and was a state semifinalist in ’20, opted out of FHSAA playoff contention to play in the SSAA.

Allen “BJ” Johnson returns as coach of Trinity Christian. His 2004-12 stint included a state semifinal appearance (’07).

Five Orlando area teams are playing eight-man football within the SSAA: City of Life Christian, Eastland Christian, Geneva School, Lake Mary Prep and Real Life Christian.

Outside the SSAA three Osceola County public schools, Gateway, Liberty and Poinciana, opted out of FHSAA playoff contention and will play as independents.

Cornerstone Charter Ducks

Coach: Alan Lambert (4th year; 8-19)

2023: 3-6 in SSAC

Faith Christian Lions

Coach: Dave Carrington (5th year; 15-22)

2023: 4-5 in SSAC

Foundation Academy Lions

Coach: Andre Walker (4th year, 20-10)

2023: 7-3, missed 1M playoffs

First Academy- Leesburg Eagles

Coach: Canh Bui (3rd year, 5-13)

2023: 3-6 in SSAC

Lake Highland Prep Highlanders

Coach: Ben Bullock (8th year, 42-23; career 63-34)

2023: 4-3 as independent

Legacy Charter Eagles

Coach: Zach Fox (2nd year, 2-6)

2023: 2-6 in SSAC

Master’s Academy Eagles

Coach: Garrett Kruczek (2nd year, 9-2)

2023: 9-2, SSAC league champ

Mount Dora Christian Bulldogs

Coach: Kolby Tackett (5th year, 29-14; career 46-21)

2023: 6-5, SSAC 5A champ

Orangewood Christian Rams

Coach: Carey Metts (4th year; 11-19)

2023: 4-5 in SSAC

Trinity Christian Eagles

Coach: Allen “BJ” Johnson (60-37, 9th year; career 88-94)

2023: 2-8 in SSAC

Trinity Prep Saints

Coach: Brian Kells (2nd year, 1-8; career 52-54)

2023: 1-8 in SSAC

Windermere Prep Lakers

Coach: James Hamilton (1st year)

2023: 1-7 in SSAC

Central Florida Christian Academy Eagles

Coach: Kevin Blackman (2nd year; 0-6)

2023: 0-6 in SSAC

Gateway Panthers

Coach: Marlin Roberts (16th year, 56-94)

2023: 0-10, missed 3S playoffs

Liberty Chargers

Coach: Dee Hart (2nd year, 2-8)

2023: 2-8, missed 3S playoffs

Poinciana Eagles

Coach: Tarron Mallard (1st year)

2023: 4-6 as an independent

West Oaks Flame

Coach: Victor Floyd (9th year, 31-50; career 61-101)

2023: 5-6 as independent