Hernando Christian Academy
Team Overview:
Head Coach: David Raley (18th Season)
Previous Season Record: 8-3 (2-2 District)
’22-’23 Season Record: 5-1
Players to Watch For: C Brandon Higgins, DL David Boyette, QB/S Caydon Williams, QB/CB Jaden Montzka, DE/TE Layton Boggs, RB Tayvion Howard
Number of Seniors: 2 (1 returning)
Strength: Offensive Line
“It’s shaped up this year as a rebuilding year,” Coach Raley said. “We graduated a really decent team last year that we were within three points of the state championship game. Again, we’ve been in the state championship game for the last two years and didn’t win either one. Two years ago, we were in a different organization. Last year and this year, we are playing in a much tougher league.”
The Lions will be starting a bevy of fresh faces as much of last year’s squad, which finished three points shy of a third straight state championship appearance in the eight-man league, have now graduated. Facing their second year in the challenging Sunshine State Athletic Association (SSAA), Coach Raley only returns one senior (Brandon Higgins). The team will be sporting just one other senior at defensive line, though David Boyette played for a different team last year.
Higgins, whose brother already plays for UCF, made a selfless move during the prior season and it is paying off. The senior made a position change from quarterback to center – a role that is generally seen as far less glamorous than that of the signal caller. Higgins’ head coach praised his successful move to the offensive line on Thursday.
“It’s an interesting story,” said Raley. “Last year, he was my starting quarterback, and he felt like he could help the team better if he played center and stepped forward and started at center for us last year. He’s a strong stalwart on the offensive line for us this year. Our offensive line is a strong point for us this year.”
The senior center anchors a line that is full of size across the board, so much so that the head coach feels the group is his team’s biggest strength this season. This is thanks in large part to having one of the best offensive line coaches in the business in Lance Schwan, affectionately known as Coach Pants by his players. Coach Raley hopes to lean on that side of the ball while the defense tackles reconstruction.
“He’s highly respected in our league as the finest offensive line coach in this game,” the Lions’ head coach stated. “Extremely well, and the kids love him, he loves them, and they play well for him. He’s done an excellent job in getting these kids together. I feel really good. So, I feel like we’re going to depend on our offense this year to pound the ball, run the ball strong, take some of the pressure off our defense until they can figure out exactly who does what or can do what.”
Though several ninth graders are set to serve prominent roles on the defensive side of the ball, the Lions are not devoid of experience entirely. Besides Boyette, who the head coach describes as a “good-sized young man,” the Lions feature several talented returning players, namely in the secondary.
Cayden Williams has earned All-State honors in his last two years as a cornerback and led the entire state in interceptions with 12. Due to the youth movement on defense, the head coach had to move the captain and “very special athlete” to safety. Jaden Montzka’s contributions have been significant, and he narrowly missed All-State honors as a cornerback. “My two corners were two of the best corners in the entire state in our division, in our league,” Coach Raley added.
Williams shares not only the defensive backfield with Montzka but also the quarterback room. Though both players are quick, Williams is used more as a passing quarterback, while Montzka’s skillset fills more of the traditional running quarterback mold. Despite this, the playbook is identical no matter which signal caller is on the field. “They’re both really good at what they do,” noted Railey.
The head coach highlighted two more players to watch for on this year’s young but talented squad. Layton Boggs is a “stalwart on both sides of the ball” as a tight end and as a defensive end. According to his coach, he is a leading receiver for the Lions and is quick off the ball as a rush end. The junior will be starting his third year at the position, and Boggs is so critical to his team that he is the only athlete to play full-time on offense and defense.
Freshman RB Tayvion Howard, who measures just over six feet tall and 200 pounds, began at defensive tackle before being moved to running back this season. His coach feels he has the right speed and strength to tote the rock in HCA’s triple-option flexbone offense. Howard is just one of several freshmen looking to show out this year.
“The future is really here for this team,” Coach Raley said.
Lions 2024 Schedule
8/30 vs. Canterbury at 7:00 p.m.
9/6 vs. Ocala Christian at 4:00 p.m.
9/13 @ Lakeside Christian at 7:00 p.m.
9/20 vs. Sports Leadership & Management High School (TBH)
10/4 @ Cornerstone Academy at 7:00 p.m.
10/10 @ Shorecrest Prep at 6:30 p.m.
10/25 @ Academy at the Lakes at 7:00 p.m.
