KEYSTONE HEIGHTS - Former Keystone Heights High three-sport star Ray Trimble, who graduated in 2016, had some early post-high school decisions to make after a standout school career in football, soccer and weightlifting.

"After high school, my initial plan was to go in to physical therapy to help out athletes recovering from injuries," Trimble said. "Sadly, COVID happened and put a hold on things and I just kind of volunteer with a trainer at Keystone Heights to help out. That's what changed my path."

Trimble's path to physical therapy was completely done. But being back on the sidelines, close to the action, fueled a passion for coaching.

"Being on the sideline, even with the therapy stuff, put me in the action again," said Trimble, now 29. "I knew I could contribute. I sometimes got to talk to the athletes I was working on, but I knew I wanted to come back as a coach."

Fast forward a few years to the Keystone Heights football team, athletic director Chuck Dickinson and newly hired coach Cameron Porch hired Trimble as an assistant football coach in charge of running backs and linebackers. Trimble has been one of weightlifting head coach Leavy Alvarez's top advisors, as the Indians boys stormed to yet another state title in 2026.

"It definitely hits a special place in my heart, and a sentimental thing to be able to give back to Keystone Heights," Trimble said. "This town, this school coached, raised me and helped me to get better and to become the person I am today."

Trimble's senior season at Keystone Heights featured 1,625 rushing yards, with seven 100-yard-plus games and 16 touchdowns on a 7-3 team. Trimble and teammate Rian Prieto were both named Honorable Mention All State Class 4A players.

For Trimble, the biggest transition from a player to a coach has been planning practices, drills and game week preparations. Trimble was well known as a hard-driving soccer player and a tough ball carrier for the Indians. Trimble decided on football in college, with a stint at NCAA Division III Huntingdon College. The Hawks finished 8-4 in Trimble's final season, including with two playoff games.

"As a player, I just kind of went along with what the coaches said to do without really thinking about the why," said Trimble, who has a planned 2027 wedding to fiancé Brooke Armstrong, whom he calls "my biggest supporter." "Now I'm behind the scenes to plan the drills out to make my athletes better to give them the best edge to do their best."

Trimble credits sister Raychel Rodriguez with being a big part of his growth to become a better athlete, and now to become a better coach.

"She is my older sister, married, got three kids and still comes from Palatka to watch our cousin, Halea Lam, play in her girls soccer games/ Even today, I think if a girls soccer spot opens, she would jump on it with me by her side," said Trimble, noting Rodriguez did coach recently at Sandalwood High. "It's like in our blood especially since our dad coached us in soccer when we were younger. That would be wonderful if she could get on at Keystone Heights and help with the soccer program."

In his final thoughts, Trimble admitted that being a head coach title would be nice, but that he was humbly still learning the ins and outs of the job.

"Honestly, I would love to be a head coach, but I got to get a lot more years under me because I'm still learning," said Trimble. "There is a lot to game planning, how to set up and have efficient practices as well s what scheme or system works best for not just myself but for my players to establish their own identity."

OHS Bryant back at MHS (after China hoops)

By Randy Lefko, randy@claytodayonline.com

MIDDLEBURG - As one of Oakleaf High's prolific basketball players, then equally astounding in college and professional leagues abroad, Jonathan Bryant kind of missed family outings.

"One of the reasons I'm back home is that I missed a lot of family gatherings and important holidays while I was playing overseas," Bryant said. "I was missing birthdays, Christmas and other important family days and it was weighing on me."

Bryant also said as his professional basketball career stretched on, there was a question of his future as family, health care issues and stability came into play.

"The pro circuit is nice in both places, but once the season is over, the contract is over," Bryant said. "The top guys get big money and deals that go beyond playing time and I was thinking more of my future and whether I wanted to be there or here at home."

Fast forward from championship professional games in Montenegro as a 20-point-a-game scorer in Europe, and then as a professional player in a China league organized by 7-foot-6 former NBA All Star Yao Ming.

"I got a call from my agent to see if I could play in June and July in China," Bryant said. "I asked coach if it was okay and he gave me his blessing."

Oakleaf basketball? No. Middleburg football? Yes.

"I came back here a few months ago and starting substitute teaching at Middleburg High School," said Bryant, who was teaching a Digital InfoTech Class. "After a few classes, Middleburg Principal Martin Aftuck asked if I could stay more permanently as the teacher got a serious illness. So, it all kind of worked out so I could stay."

From there, word got around quickly that Middleburg had a legitimate top-drawer athlete in the building, and, of course, boys basketball coach Burt Cannon talked with Bryant. Then football coach Ryan Wolfe got a word with Bryant.

"I knew he played football at Oakleaf Junior High and a year at Oakleaf High, but his presence was more my interest as a successful professional athlete in the building," Wolfe said. "When he came on board (as tight ends coach), the kids kind of knew he was some kind of athlete. But I guess they found out by Googling him."

Bryant said his experiences at the professional basketball level offered insight for Broncos athletes - not only on the football field, but in general as questions directed at him became more and more about staying in professional shape.

"I saw a lot of screens in my class with my picture on them as the students learned more and more about me," Bryant said. "Then, the athletes started coming by and asking questions. Then it kind of went from there."

On the field and on the basketball court, Bryant keeps a fairly low profile as far as critiquing players, but he notes his professional experience has given him a knack of spotting the good players.

"When I first get out there, I'm kind of just doing an eye test," Bryant said. "I can see who is serious and who is out just to go out for the team. It's the guy who is asking questions about small details of his game that will progress. If they are goofing off, then they are making that choice. The other part of it is if guys come in with a bit of natural talent, but are lazy in trying to get better, that is very apparent."

For the better part of the spring football session, Bryant was doing double duty with Cannon in basketball and Wolfe in football until he got his agent's phone call regarding China.

"He asked me and I told him to go because he's a young guy and any opportunity to play professional sports doesn't come around often," Wolfe said. "He'll be back in August and we'll get him back."