In a city littered with historic and household-name brand programs, there seems to be a new school rising among the ranks when you think of dominant teams in Orlando.
The Masters Academy is fresh off their second state championship in the last five years in 2023, and first under Garrett Kruczek since his return to Orlando. On Friday the Eagles moved to 5-0 after dominating Lake Howell 35-17, where Coach Kruczek played his high school football as the quarterback for the Silverhawks in 2010-2013. It was another dazzling performance from one of the most fun and explosive offenses in all of Orlando, regardless of classification.
It all starts at the quarterback position for Masters, and they have a special one in 2028 gem Jackson Stecher who has been phenomenal since taking over the offense during the 2023 season as an 8th grader where he led the Eagles to the SSAA state title before he even was in high school. Jackson already holds 3 Division 1 offers from USF Samford and Robert Morris with a bevy of Power 4 schools showing heavy interest already. He already stands at 6-1, and in just 13 career games, Stecher has accumulated 2362 yards and 33 total touchdowns to just 4 interceptions. His production, confidence, and maturity at such a young age have made the Eagle’s offense must-see TV.
The run game has been a perfect compliment to the dynamic and hyper-efficient offense that Coach Kru has brought and 2026 athlete O’Shea Faison has earned the cyber truck nickname for good reason. At 6 2 210, he’s already a load to take down and moves incredibly well for his size. In just five games this year he has over 600 total yards and 15 touchdowns and most of the games are done before the 4th quarter. Faison just picked up his first offer from Samford following his 4 touchdown performance against FHSAA’s Lake Howell and given Master’s experience and pedigree among the entire coaching staff has been a great combination with the roster’s talent to build more and more buzz with every game they dominate.
Stecher’s favorite weapon and most dynamic receiver is 2026 slot Davon Washington who has been putting on a show every Friday night this year and Friday’s game was no different where he amassed over 180 yards and seemed to go for a dizzying chunk play every time he touched the ball. One of the smoothest and purest route running receivers in his class, “Mouse” is one of the most electric players on any given field he steps on and is always a threat to go the distance and leave defenders grasping air and touching earth.
Master’s no doubt has an elite trio, but receivers like freshman Jacob McDonald, junior Sawyer Smith, 2-way star junior Oakley Foster, and sophomore athlete Dmarion Simmons also routinely make highlight reel plays thanks to a high-level and efficient offense that give SSAA defensive coordinators nightmares weekly.
On the defensive side of the ball, Master’s features one of the most slept-on edge’s in all of Orlando as Oakley Foster continues to impress more and more every game. Another Eagle that just picked up his first offer, from Lehigh, following Friday’s game, the 2 way TE/DE is Master’s most physically imposing player and makes his presence known weekly with a huge hit that lights up the sideline. Oakley is a 6-3 athletic freak who moves lightning fast off the ball and has an extreme knack to always be where the ball is. His physicality, speed, and motor on the defensive while playing nearly every snap weekly on all sides of the field is wildly impressive and a role that so many Eagles have to play given the size of their roster. It speaks to how well prepared and coached every player is and Oakley is a shining example of their two way depth.
Complimenting him in the secondary is 2027 corner Joe Tesoriero who possesses great size and strength that pair nicely with his physicality at DB. He’s sticky and athletic in coverage and does a great job rerouting and mirroring in phase.
Since Coach Kruczek took over in 2023, The Masters Academy has gone 14-2 with a state championship and is perfect at 5-0 halfway through the season with 2 wins over FHSAA teams already in 2024, which features a tougher schedule than last year. The Eagles will have a bye week next but are locked in for a rematch against one of the two teams that beat them in 2023, which will be a massive test as they look to repeat as SSAA state champions.
Another game to watch down the line will be another tough FHSAA opponent @ Tohopokeliga in a matchup of two offenses that can gain a lot of yards and score a ton of points quickly.
As we enter the middle of football season here in central Florida, offenses are settling in and getting hot all across the region but don’t sleep on the the young and dynamic high-octane offense out in Oviedo.