ORLANDO - One set of downs, or better, a fourth down defensive stop, then a coast to coast touchdown run amplified the direction of the 2025 Oakleaf High Knights football team intends to take when August shows up.
"We stopped them on fourth down inside our five yard line and knew we were going to try to spring outside to get some breathing room," said Oakleaf senior tackle Chris Jules. "It was a simple off tackle play that Fareed (running back Fareed Coleman) bounced outside and then hit the jets to the crib (end zone). I think like 95 yards and even got a block downfield from Micheal (wide receiver Micheal Conner). That's our team; all in from start to finish."
Oakleaf stormed to a 21-7 first half lead that extended into the fourth quarter before West Orange ignited their jets to finish with a 34-29 win.
"We had some plays in the fourth quarter where we didn't finish on third and fourth downs and they kept scoring," said Foy. "They got a quarterback that's an athlete and he stole the show."
For West Orange, sophomore quarterback A.J. Chung accounted for four touchdowns in the the second half.
For Foy, the game represented the need for his program to take on the best in Florida in order to get the elusive state championship game that the Knights missed last season.
"Hey, we've seen it, we've tasted it, we've got it and now, we want to get it," said Oakleaf High coach Chris Foy, who referred to last year's astounding finish with a region final finish that ended with a misplayed onsides kick with seconds left on the clock. "We showed last year that we can play the type of football that the historically programs play. We just missed being on that list and we want it back."

Foy, who took his spring game into a next level atmosphere by venturing to Class 7A West Orange High in the Orlando sector of Florida football to take on a West Orange team that finished at 10-3 last year also with a region final loss; a 55-26 loss to eventual Class 7A champion Venice High. West Orange was a Class 8A region finalist in 2021.
"It was a total playoff atmosphere; lots of people in the stands, the band, the cheerleaders and both sides ready to go big," said Foy, who finished at 9-4 with his region final loss to eventual Final Four finisher Buchholz High. Buchholz won 25-19, then lost to Osceola 41-35 in the state semifinal. "I always say if you want to be one of those elite programs, we have to play those elite programs. My guys were ready to go big. We knew that even when we got up that that team was going to keep coming hard."
In the first half of the contest, Oakleaf bolted out to a 21-7 halftime lead behind the fast pace of an offensive brimming with speed; running back Fareed Coleman, wide receivers Michael Conner, Rodney Townsend and Jordin Price and led by a seasoned quarterback in Jack McKissock.
"The guy who is going to be a surprise, not to us, but to other defenses, is going to be C.J. Moses at running back," said Foy. "He blew up Mandarin last year and is looking stronger this year as a power back. He was banging in between the tackles."
Without the usual spring game format of a first half of varsity, then a second half of sprinklng in junior varsity and incoming potential plays, Foy requested a full game format from his West Orange counterpart, coach Geno Thompson.
"He gave us everything they had," said Foy. "All I know is our guys gave their best shot against one of the best teams in a spring game and that says a lot about this locker room. They wanted to see what they could do against the best. I think the lead changed four times."
Foy, who got a 254 yards in the air with three touchdowns from McKissock, a senior, with a 19 of 31 passes performances.
"Mike Conner and Fareed Coleman were monsters on the field," said Foy. "It was dumb. Fareed went for 197 yards on 11 carries with two scores; one the 96 yarder. Conner had eight catches with two scores. Jack was tight last year, now he's better, that's scary."
What Foy liked the most was his play in the trenches with the offensive line opening holes and the defense, led by Jules on both sides with Daquan Beacham anchoring the defense slowing down a high powered West Orange attack. Linebacker Jermaine Robinson finished with 14 tackles.
"The offensive line was some new guys, some young guys; Jaylen Wilson, now 6'-7", about 285 pounds had a great game," said Foy. "Jayden Adams could be the best center in the state coming back."
Foy is preparing for his summer conditioning sessions with a camp visit to Mercer University in two weeks, then some position camps throughout the summer.
"It's about depth on the team to survive," said Foy. "We want our leaders to bring along the guys behind them. Jordin Price is the guy that takes the team and pushes them."