With an offseason roster transformation that made Central Florida coaches’ heads spin, The First Academy has completely changed the outlook in Class 2A, District 6, which also has Orlando Christian Prep, Holy Trinity and Melbourne Central Catholic.

OCP ran away with this district a year ago, rolling through undefeated and advancing to the state quarterfinal round before losing to Jacksonville Trinity Christian.

The 2024 season won’t be so easy. Not only have the two Melbourne schools joined the district, but TFA has boosted its roster with at least 30 transfers. The Royals are loaded.

Accusations of cheating and recruiting players were heard from all over, but Florida State High School Athletics Association executive director Craig Damon said the complaints sent to his staff were reviewed but had no hard evidence of wrongdoing.

With its new firepower, TFA immediately became the district favorite, but the other teams won’t be conceding.

Holy Trinity was 7-4 as a playoff team a year ago. MCC went 9-3 and made it to a Suburban state quarterfinal before also losing to state runner-up Ocala Trinity Catholic.

OCP, which was a state semifinalist in 2021 and a region finalist last year, will reload again under coach Guerschom Demosthenes.

Junior athlete Akeevin Anderson is the star of the show for the Warriors, and OCP also has big time big man Demetrius Campbell, a Miami commit, to anchor the offensive line. Air Force commit Thomas Young, a transfer from Lake Nona, roams the defensive backfield and junior Cameron Kurzon returns at quarterback.

OCP lost seven starters from last year’s team.

TFA has to develop team unity but that didn’t seem to be much of an issue in the offseason.

The Royals were impressive in winning a UCF 7-on-7 tournament in June.

Leading the way on offense has been a trio of former Leesburg stars: quarterback Salomon Georges Jr., and receivers Evan James and Demetrice McCray. TFA added running backs Dane Thompkins (Lake Minneola) and Jaelyn Powell (Bishop Moore).

The offensive line is stacked, with a trio of former Lake Minneola players in Chancellor Barclay, Sean Kentish and Noah Devine anchoring alongside Jarvis Williams (Leesburg), Reed Ramsier (Boone) and Gerard Gearity (Osceola). Omyry Hickson (Jones) and Isaac Obrokta play receiver.

There are more Lake Minneola transfers on the defensive line with the duo of CJ McCoy and Jeau-Pierre Furtado as well as DJ Wiley (Leesburg). The linebackers are Blaze Jones (Osceola), Noah Maddox (Boone) and Aden Hall (Leesburg). Junior Florida commit Devin Jackson (West Orange) leads the defensive backs, with Danny Odem III (Pennsylvania transfer) and Bam Whitfield.

Orlando Christian Prep Warriors

Coach: Guerschom Demosthenes (12th year, 91-27)

2023: 10-2, 1M district champ, region final

The First Academy Royals

Coach: Jeff Conaway (2nd year, 6-4; career 131-64)

2023: 6-4, missed 1M playoffs